With just one month remaining before entries close, organisers of the 2nd Southern African Lifting Awards are encouraging companies, professionals and organisations throughout Africa’s lifting industry to submit their entries before the 31 July 2026 deadline.
Following the outstanding success of the inaugural awards in 2025, the 2026 programme has already attracted strong support from leading international manufacturers, lifting specialists, engineering companies, equipment suppliers and service providers. Entry numbers continue to grow as organisations recognise the value of showcasing their achievements on one of Africa’s premier industry platforms.
Hosted by Lifting Africa, the awards will take place on 30 October 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre, Johannesburg, bringing together the continent’s leading lifting professionals for an evening dedicated to recognising excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement.
More Than an Awards Programme
The Southern African Lifting Awards have quickly become more than a gala evening.
They provide companies with an opportunity to benchmark themselves against industry leaders while recognising the people, projects and innovations that continue to raise standards across Africa’s lifting sector.
Award-winning projects and finalists receive extensive exposure through Lifting Africa’s print, digital, website and social media platforms, providing long-term marketing value that extends well beyond the awards ceremony itself.
“The Southern African Lifting Awards were created to celebrate the incredible expertise that exists within our industry,” says Surita Marx, Founder of the Southern African Lifting Awards and Managing Director of Lifting Africa.
“Every day we see remarkable engineering projects, innovative lifting solutions, exceptional safety initiatives and dedicated professionals delivering world-class work. These awards give the industry the opportunity to recognise those achievements while inspiring others to continue raising the bar.”
Categories Recognise Every Aspect of the Industry
The awards recognise excellence across multiple disciplines within the lifting industry, including:
- Engineering excellence
- Major lifting projects
- Innovation
- Safety
- Environmental initiatives
- Skills development
- Apprentices and technicians
- Leadership
- Outstanding companies
- Lifetime achievement
The programme is designed to ensure organisations of every size—from multinational corporations to specialist engineering businesses and independent lifting companies—have an opportunity to be recognised.
Industry Support Continues to Grow
The continued support from respected industry leaders reflects the growing importance of the awards.
Returning sponsors include YOKE Industrial Corp, RiConnect, Electra Mining Africa, Lifting Placements, and most recently, Sarens, which has joined the 2026 programme as the official Table Sponsor.
The involvement of these internationally recognised organisations reinforces the awards’ reputation as Southern Africa’s leading platform for recognising excellence within the lifting industry.
Why Companies Are Entering
Recognition through the Southern African Lifting Awards provides organisations with numerous benefits, including:
- Independent industry recognition
- Enhanced brand credibility
- National and international media exposure
- Recognition of employees and project teams
- Increased client confidence
- Marketing opportunities before and after the awards
- Industry networking with senior decision-makers
As clients increasingly evaluate suppliers on quality, safety, innovation and proven capability, formal industry recognition has become an important differentiator.
Entry Deadline Fast Approaching
Organisers remind companies that all entries must be submitted by:
Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00
Late entries cannot be accepted.
Companies are encouraged to begin preparing their submissions as soon as possible, particularly for projects requiring project documentation, photographs, and supporting evidence.
Event Details
Southern African Lifting Awards 2026
Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
Venue: Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa
Entry Deadline: Friday, 31 July 2026 at 17:00
