Hosted by Topco Media and moderated by Leeann Manas, the Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards honour South Africa’s trailblazers in transformation, diversity, and empowerment. Kabelo Ncholo, the founder and CEO of Y-Brand, a through-the-line marketing agency, was named a finalist for three Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards.
Now in their 24th year, the awards spotlight excellence in B-BBEE, leadership, innovation and sustainable impact, championing inclusive economic growth by celebrating companies and individuals that are actively building a more equitable, empowered and transformed South Africa. Some of the dignitaries at the event were prominent legal, political and business leader Dr Mathews Phosa, Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.
At this year’s Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, Y-Brand was a Finalist in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace of the Year Award and a Finalist in the Job Creation of the Year Award. Ncholo was named a Finalist in the Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award. These achievements add to the multitude of recognition he and Y-Brand have received in the agency’s 20-year existence.
Speaking about his latest achievement, Ncholo said: ‘I am pleased that our talent acquisition strategy, which embraces diversity and equity by building a youth-powered workforce, growing female leadership representation and creating pathways for interns to become industry professionals has been acknowledged through us being finalists in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Award.’
Ncholo added that being nominated for the Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award expresses his hard work, commitment to marketing excellence and passion for transformation.
One of his greatest objectives is reducing South Africa’s high unemployment rate, so he is fulfilled about being a Finalist in the Job Creation of the Year Award. ‘I am glad that Y-Brand providing employment opportunities to 300 full-time staff and over 1000 seasonal employees was acknowledged through this nomination,’ he said.
In addition to attending the awards ceremony, Ncholo was a speaker at the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference held on 1 August 2025. Under the theme, Empowerment Through Bold Transformation, the conference explored how purpose-led transformation can help organisations build long-term success by aligning their operations, culture and strategies with their purpose. The conference featured panel discussions on a variety of transformation-related topics. Ncholo was part of the panel on the topic: Youth Leadership Development.
Much of the discussion featured key points around youth leadership and the urgency of addressing South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. ‘There needs to be greater commitment from government and corporates with regard to investing in young people,’ said Ncholo. ‘The poor quality education many of our young people are receiving is also contributing to our high unemployment rates. Entrepreneurship is one way for youth to be employed, but it’s important that they are given the tools to sustain their businesses such as by providing them with mentorship and jobs to give them leadership, goal-setting and self-motivation skills.’
Y-BRAND
www.ybrand.co.za
