BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
22 May 2025 | 18:00
@ Sandton Hotel
A charity gala dinner recognizing the crème de la crème of Italian business in South Africa
The Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries has been organizing this event annually since 1999.
As a Charity Gala Dinner gathering more than 250 people - including members and non-members of the Italian Chamber - the BEAs are a great opportunity for companies/attendees to build their network, connecting and integrating Italian and South African economies.
DURING THE EVENT, 5 AWARDS ARE PRESENTED TO:
Business Person of the Year
Enterprise of the Year
SMILE SME of the Year
SMILE Start-up of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
The BEAs are also an excellent springboard for exploring and investing in the rich historical relations between Italy and South Africa.





ITALCHAM BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Celebrating Innovation and Excellence: The 2025 Business Excellence Awards
23 May 2025
The Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries proudly hosted the 2025 edition of its prestigious Business Excellence Awards on the evening of Thursday, 22 May, at the elegant @Sandton Hotel. This highly anticipated event drew together dignitaries, leading business figures, and industry pioneers from both the Italian and South African spheres to honour excellence, innovation, and enduring cross-cultural partnerships.
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Set against the refined theme of Vintage, the evening artfully blended timeless elegance with contemporary achievements. Soulful saxophone performances by Rike Coetzer set the tone for the night, and renowned broadcaster Neil Andrews led the proceedings as master of ceremonies.
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The evening commenced with distinguished keynote addresses. The Ambassador of Italy to South Africa, HE Alberto Vecchi, offered words of vision and encouragement, followed by an address from Mr. Virgilio Da Molo, President of the Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries. Mr. Da Molo reflected on the legacy of the Business Excellence Awards — a cherished tradition since 1999 — and the Chamber’s enduring strength amidst global and domestic challenges. He extended warm thanks to representatives from the Embassy of Italy, Consulate General of Italy, Com.It.Es., DTIC, SEIFSA, ICJ, and the dedicated Chamber team.
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A Celebration of Enterprise and Vision
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This year marked the introduction of an exciting new award: the SMILE Start-Up of the Year, created to recognise exceptional innovation and growth among emerging enterprises. The inaugural honour was awarded to Umbretta Mills, a rising textile company rooted in the legacy of Italian craftsmanship. In a post-pandemic economic landscape, Umbretta Mills has not only persevered but flourished — producing sustainable, high-performance textiles for residential, commercial, and industrial use, and rapidly gaining traction in the competitive textile industry.
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The SMILE SME of the Year Award was presented to Baglios, an artisanal gelato business that has evolved from humble beginnings into a brand name in Gauteng. Honouring its heritage, Baglios continues to produce gelato with authentic Italian ingredients and state-of-the-art equipment. In 2024 alone, the brand expanded with five new locations across Gauteng, serving both boutique outlets and elite hospitality establishments. With six additional stores planned nationwide in 2025, Baglios is poised to sweeten South Africa’s culinary landscape while paying tribute to founder Enzo Barbaglia’s legacy of family, flavour, and flair.
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WAM South Africa, a key subsidiary of the globally respected WAMGROUP - founded in Modena, Italy, was honoured with the prestigious Enterprise of the Year Award. Recognised for its excellence in the industrial sector, WAM South Africa stands today as the country’s largest supplier of bulk solids handling and processing components for the concrete industry. They have also played a key role in strengthening industrial trade ties between Italy and South Africa, proving that great things happen when collaboration crosses borders. With sustained double-digit growth and market expansion across Southern and Eastern Africa, the company’s unwavering commitment to quality, customer service, and technical innovation exemplifies the best of Italian industrial leadership abroad. The award was received by Gianluca Della Riccia who is the Managing Director of WAM South Africa.
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Honouring Leadership and Legacy
In an emotionally resonant moment, the Business Person of the Year Award was presented jointly to brothers Tony and Kevin Payne of Technogym South Africa – PentaSystems. Through their visionary leadership, the company not only weathered the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic but emerged stronger, achieving remarkable growth and cementing its status as a wellness and fitness market leader. As the local representative of a global brand that has powered eight consecutive Olympic Games, Technogym - PentaSystems South Africa has brought world-class fitness solutions to the local market. Tony and Kevin’s strategic vision, ethical business practices, and relentless pursuit of excellence made them fitting recipients of this prestigious honour.
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The evening’s most poignant moment arrived with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Vincenzo Scarcella, a corporate pioneer whose influence has shaped some of South Africa’s most iconic brands — from SAB and Vodacom to Telkom and now as Chief Consumer Officer at MTN Group. Introduced as per tradition, by the ever-respected Cavaliere Maurizio Mariano, Scarcella was honoured not only for his corporate legacy but for his profound commitment to community upliftment through initiatives such as Raston Soccer and the Africa Leadership Initiative. In an emotional acceptance speech, Scarcella paid tribute to his wife, Yolande, and to his late father Giovanni, who emigrated from Basilicata, Italy:
“Papa, you taught me to work hard, to be generous, and to lead with integrity. I am who I am because of you.” Quoting Nelson Mandela, he reminded guests: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.”
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A Spirit of Generosity
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As the evening drew to a close, attention turned to the heart of the Chamber’s values — giving back. Proceeds from a charity auction and raffle were donated to the Little Eden Society, which offers critical care to individuals living with profound intellectual disabilities. Through the generosity of guests and MSC Cruises, Smeg, Vodacom, Café 28, Mastrantonio, Pomodoro, The Italian Job, Alfie’s Restaurant, Tortellino d’Oro, and Nedbank, the Chamber proudly raised R130,000 in support of this noble cause.
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Gratitude is also extended to the evening’s generous sponsors — Italtile, Turkish Airlines, MSC Cruises, Technogym South Africa – PentaSystems — and to our product sponsors: Idiom Wines, Vinotria, Doppio Zero, Aperol, Ferrero, Clearworld, Pernod Ricard , and Shattered Glass. Their steadfast support ensured the event’s success.
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The 2025 Business Excellence Awards served as a resounding testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community. As the Italian-South African business partnership enters a new chapter, this event once again reaffirmed the values that bind us — heritage, excellence, and a shared vision for a prosperous future.






















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2024
Business Person of the Year: Matteo Brambilla– Red Rockett
Business Enterprise of the Year: Savino Del Bene
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mirella K. Corsetti
SMILE SME of the Year: Slingshot Consulting
2023
Business Person of the Year: Guido Giachetti – RDC Property Group
Business Enterprise of the Year: Ariston South Africa
Lifetime Recognition Award: Maurizio Mariano
SMILE Medium Enterprise of the Year: Diva Cucine
SMILE SMALL Business of the Year: Mosaic Arts
2022
Business Person of the Year: Stefano Marani - Renergen
Business Enterprise of the Year: MSC
Lifetime Recognition Award: Alberto Fogolin
Special Mention Award: Italian Club
2019
Business Person of the Year: Giorgio Cavalieri
Business Enterprise of the Year: Alitalia
Lifetime Recognition Award: Roberto Giuricich
Chairperson’s Excellence Award: Sara Andreotti
2018
Business Person of the Year: Fred Crabbia -
Mining Pressure System
Business Enterprise of the Year: Lucchini South Africa
Lifetime Recognition Award: Mario Angelo Marion
Professional of the Year: Tiziana Adduc - Paediatrician
2017
Business Person of the Year: Giuseppe Plumari - Steyn City
Business Enterprise of the Year: Pabar
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Gianluca Abela - Nutrifit
Lifetime Recognition Award: Luciano Enrico Gastaldi - Fruit and Veg City
2016
Business Person of the Year: Antonio Di Loreto
Business Enterprise of the Year: Ansaldo Energia - Fata
Chairperson’s Excellence Award: Gianni Ravazzotti
Lifetime Recognition Award: Mathew Giuricich
2015
Business Person of the Year: Dina Soukop -
Soukop Property Group
Business Enterprise of the Year: Enel Green Power
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Paolo Borzatta
Chairperson’s Excellence Award: Giuseppe Cimato
Lifetime Recognition Award: Franco Guidozzi
2014
Business Person of the Year: Paolo Cavalieri - Holland
Business Enterprise of the Year: IVECO
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Costantino Buccimazza - BPB Construction
Lifetime Recognition Award: Carmine Angelucci
2013
Business Person of the Year: Antonio Iozzo - IUM
Business Enterprise of the Year: SMEG South Africa
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Tato Carrello - Carrello Autobody
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Vera Giovitto - Mosaic Art
Chairperson’s Excellence Award: Marcello Fiasconaro
Lifetime Recognition Award: Piero Rossi
2012
Business Person of the Year: Carlo Gonzaga - Taste Holdings
Business Enterprise of the Year: Viglietti Motors
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Matteo Amatruda - A+L Unlimited Design
Lifetime Recognition Award: Renato Fioravanti
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: H.E. Thenjlwe Mtintso
2011
Business Person of the Year: Franco Scribante - Scribante Construction
Business Enterprise of the Year: MA Automotive Rosslyn
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Simone Zanetti - Allos Consulting
Lifetime Recognition Award: Luigi Buccimazza
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Marco Alberti (Southern Wind Shipyard
2010
Business Person of the Year: Luigi Stravino (BLC Plant Company
Business Enterprise of the Year: Luxottica SA
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Roberto Regasto - Pagliari Group
Lifetime Recognition Award: Andrea Bollo - Wanda Bollo Estate
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Giulio Bertrand - Morgenster
2008
Business Person of the Year: Luciano Previtera and Michele Mirotto - Rialto Foods
Business Enterprise of the Year: Putco
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Giovanni Contaldi - Courierit
Lifetime Recognition Award: Adriana De Stefanis
2007
Business Person of the Year: Antonio Cimato - Efficient Engineering
Business Enterprise of the Year: Country Food
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Marcello Palumbo - Filcon Group
Lifetime Recognition Award: Domenica Ferrucci Burzacchi
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Maestro Edoardo Villa
2006
Business Person of the Year: Dean Fragale - Girlock
Business Enterprise of the Year: Duferco Steel Processing
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Sebastiano Iorio (Cargo Embassy) & Stefano Lavarone (Great African Seating)
Lifetime Recognition Award: Domitilla Rota Hymas - Little Eden
Honorary Chairperson’s Special Award: Giorgio Gorelli - Fiat Auto SA
2005
Business Person of the Year: Desmond Sacco - Assore and Assmang
Business Enterprise of the Year: M&F Giurich Developments
Young and Upcoming Entrepreneur of the Year: Andrea Deiana - Metal Lux SA
Lifetime Recognition Award: Claudia Giuricich
2004
Business Man of the Year: Mark Lamberti - Massmart Holdings
Business Woman of the Year: Giovana Secco - Kudu Farms
2002
Graniti Tecnica - Franco D’Agnolo
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2001
Fiat Auto S.A. - Bruno De Mori
Aeroporti di Roma - Carmine Bassetti
Castellano-Beltrame - Franco Beltrame
2000
Giovanni Ravazzotti - Italtile and Ceramic Industries
1999
Domenico Cioffi - Mimmo’s