Africa celebrates

On 29 August the Southern African lifting industry enjoyed the first-ever Lifting Awards, hosted by Lifting Africa. Theytook place at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg and were sponsored by Yoke Industrial Corp, RiConnect, Electra Mining, Haggie Distribution and RGM Cranes .

“The Lifting Awards shine a spotlight on the visionaries, trailblazers and unsung heroes driving our industry forward. Every winner and finalist represent a story of perseverance, innovation and dedication,” said Surita Marx, managing director of Lifting Africa. “We are proud to honour individuals and companies whose commitment continues to raise the bar for safety, sustainability and technical excellence. Tonight, we didn’t just celebrate winners – we celebrated the future of lifting in Southern Africa.”

The winners were:

• Apprentice Technician of the Year Award: Francois de Vos, noted for expertise in lifting tackle inspections.
• Environment Award: Yoke Industrial Corp for innovative RFID digital inspection systems.
• Excellence in Engineering Award: Sarens for the Kamoa Copper and Zambia Fertiliser Projects.
• Industry Leader Award: Hendrick Mohlahlo, overseeing more than 500 critical lifts and championing sustainability and training.
• Innovation in Service Award: RGM Cranes for its Nexxus AI-driven asset management platform.
• Lifetime Achievement Awards: Ken Greenwood, founder of LMI Academy and lifelong advocate for safety and skills development.
• Manufacturer Product Innovation Award: Liebherr for the LTM 1110-5.2 mobile crane with advanced driver assistance.
• Project of the Year Award: Sarens Kamoa Copper Project, recognised for technical precision and boosting local economic growth.
• Rising Star Awards: Mkateko Baloyi, recognised for her technical skill and operational excellence.
• Safety & Training Award: LMI Academy, transforming safety culture across industries.

“The Awards mark the beginning of a new tradition for our sector,” said Surita. “It is, however, about more than just handing out awards. It is about recognising the people and companies who are shaping the future of lifting in Southern Africa. Their achievements remind us of the strength, resilience and ingenuity within our industry and of the opportunities still ahead.”

The next Southern African Lifting Awards will take place on 10 September 2026.