Streetwires won “Social Entreprenuer Award”
We are delighted to announce that the founder of Streetwires, Patrick Schofield has been selected as the winner of the Ernst & Young / FNB / Schwab Foundation ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year for South Africa’ for 2008.
The award was presented at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg on November 13th in which South Africa’s ‘Best Entrepreneur’, ‘Emerging Entrepreneur’ and Social Entrepreneur were announced.
Schofield comments, “ The award though given to me as an individual, is in recognition of all those who have been involved in building Streetwires into what it is today. That includes each individual artist who has dedicated their time and creative ability into producing the beautiful craft for which we have become known right through to my co-founders, Winston Rangwani & Anton Ressel with whom this journey began. But beyond this it is also in recognition of our role in leading within our field; in creative development, achieving our social objectives and in the engendered entrepreneurial spirit within Streetwires that has seen both us grow as an organization and many people who have been part of Streetwires going on to build other successful organizations. “
We would like to thank all of those who have been part of creating Streetwires; suppliers, colleagues, friends, customers and supporters – those who have inspired us to accomplish what we set out to do and those who have assisted us in the more difficult times. We would especially like to thank the Raymond & Wendy Ackerman Pick n Pay Foundation and the Grassroots Business Initiative for their support – quite simply, without the backing of these two organisations, Streetwires would not be here today to celebrate this award.
The Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award
“The Schwab Foundation works with media and corporate partners in several countries to search and select the most accomplished social entrepreneurs in the country every year. An eminent national jury then elects “The Social Entrepreneur of the Year”.
The main criteria for selection are:
1. Innovation: The candidate has transformed traditional practice through an innovative product, service, approach, or a more rigorous application of known technologies and ideas.
2. Sustainability: The organization is achieving some degree of financial self-sustainability through revenues or is engaged in creating mutually beneficial partnerships with business and/or the public sector.
3. Direct social impact: The candidate implements the initiative directly with poor or marginalized beneficiaries. Impact manifests itself in quantifiable results.”
This is clearly showing that Streetwires is really doing amazing things…
More info: www.streetwires.co.za