Johannesburg, South Africa – The Southern African lifting industry reached a historic milestone on 29 August 2025, when the first-ever Lifting Awards, hosted by Lifting Africa, took place at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
The prestigious event – proudly sponsored by Yoke Industrial Corp, RiConnect, Electra Mining, Haggie Distribution and RGM Cranes – brought together leaders, innovators and rising stars in the lifting sector to celebrate achievements in safety, innovation, sustainability and engineering excellence.
“The Lifting Awards shine a spotlight on the visionaries, trailblazers and unsung heroes driving our industry forward. Every winner and finalist represents 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 evening highlighted an impressive line-up of winners across multiple categories:
- 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 Marx. “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.”
About Lifting Africa:
Lifting Africa is the leading media platform dedicated to Africa’s lifting and materials handling industry. We aim to promote industry best practices, safety standards and innovation throughout the continent through our publications, events, and training initiatives.
