South Africa’s Margaret Hirsch – co-founder, and executive director of Hirsch’s home appliances stores – has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).
Hirsch’s, which prides itself as the biggest home appliances store in South Africa, has branches throughout the country.
Accepting her award, Margaret Hirsch said: My mission was to become financially independent so I could make my own choices.
“We women must become our own financial persons. We are all winners, let us be strong and take over.
“Know that it is possible. I also started small as an entrepreneur. Have faith and persevere, knowing it can be done.
Out of the 24 powerful women founders and entrepreneurs, the AWIEF selected as top finalists by an independent panel of Judges, eight winners were announced during a hybrid awards ceremony that took place on Friday night, 3 December 2021.
Top South African songstress Yvonne Chaka Chaka performed at AWIEF Awards 2021 that took place at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
Many inspirational and outstanding African women entrepreneurs excelled this year in creating opportunities and positively impacting lives and communities, driving growth for Africa.
The winners of the 2021 AWIEF Awards in the 8 different categories were:
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Tao Boyle, Co-founder and COO, FoondaMate (South Africa)
CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD
Cynthia Asije, Creative Director, The Adirelounge (Nigeria)
TECH ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Ivy Barley, Co-founder, Developers in Vogue Foundation (Ghana)
AGRI ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Hadia M. Gondji, Founder and Managing Director, Hadiya Seed Production and Agro Industry Plc (Ethiopia)
ENERGY ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Josephine Takundwa, CEO, Earthlink Technologies (Zimbabwe)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Gudula Naiga Basaza, Managing Director, Gudie Leisure Farm (Uganda)
EMPOWERMENT AWARD
Djénéba Gory, Co-founder and COO, Suadela (Mali)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Margaret Hirsch, Co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s Homestores (South Africa)
Each year the AWIEF Awards recognise, honour and celebrate amazing women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa and across industry sectors, for their economic performance and contribution to Africas growth and social development.
AWIEF said it salutes these women for their passion and determination in making a difference in their countries and on the continent.
