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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.

Proudly Sponsored By:

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BEA winners

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

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