The capacity audience of 120, made up of nominees, their families and friends plus representatives from the event’s major sponsors, were treated to a champagne and sushi reception, live entertainment and a three-course dinner.
An improved and more streamlined public participation process resulted in three times the number of votes being cast than last year.
The winners in each category were:
- Best Tourism Activity Award - Wild Oats Market
- Best Tourism Establishment Award - Pine Lake Marina
- Best Eatery Award - East Head Café – 2nd year running
- Social Media & Online Marketing Award - Penny Foyn (Knysna Gossip Girls)
- Local Charity Award - Knysna Education Trust
- Best Community Leader Award - Richard Thorpe
- Business Woman of the Year Award - Sharon Laughton
- Business Man of the Year Award - Carl Ballan
- Young Entrepreneur Award - Uné van Zyl
- Service Excellence Award - Helpus Ndlebe – KAWS
- Proudly Knysna Award - Stella Sohn of Knysna in Bloom
Two further awards were presented by the sponsors in recognition of outstanding contributions by local personailites:
The Sanlam Lifetime Achievement Award went to Prof Brian Allanson for his unstinting work in ensuring the continued ecological health of the Knysna Lagoon.
The Sanlam Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to businessman Duran de Villiers of SteadiDrone. He and his young technical team have put Knysna firmly on the hi-tech map with his groundbreaking development and manufacture of ‘drones’ with cameras that are now being exported around the globe.
.jpg)
Guests were treated to a champagne and sushi reception, live entertainment and a three-course dinner.
Photos: Elle Photography
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
