Johannesburg, South Africa – The finalists for the second Southern African Lifting Awards have been announced, setting the stage for an evening recognising the people, products and projects advancing the lifting industry.
Hosted by Lifting Africa, the awards ceremony takes place on 30 October 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg. Industry leaders, equipment manufacturers, lifting specialists, training providers and project teams will gather to celebrate excellence across ten award categories.
This year’s finalists reflect the industry’s breadth, from apprentices and technicians building their careers to experienced leaders whose contributions span decades. The shortlist also highlights major infrastructure projects, advances in lifting equipment, environmental initiatives and programmes strengthening safety and workforce development.
Projects represented include power generation, renewable energy, mining, ports, bridges and industrial facilities. Together, the entries demonstrate the essential role of lifting expertise in delivering complex work across Africa and beyond.
Recognising achievement across the industry
The 2026 finalists are:
Apprentice Technician of the Year Award
– Violet Mamabolo
– Meluleki Moniwa Ntshangase
– Lovemore Zwane
Environment Award
- – iGus – Polymer Bearing & Motion Technology
- – Orizen Group – Marble Hall Citrus
- – Xtyre – Load Devices
- – YOKE Industrial Corp – Digital Product Passport
Excellence in Engineering Award
- – CKIT Projects – Transnet Port Terminals, Saldanha
- – Condra – Twin Hills Gold Mine
- – iTek Drives – Nalubaale Hydropower Station, Uganda
- – Sarens Siba – Kariba Dam
- – Vanguard – Poland to Malta Power Station
Excellence in People Development Award
- – Piet Otto
- – Rigging Academy
Industry Leader Award
- – Piet Otto
- – Dr Rony Abraham
Innovation in Service Award
- – MYCRANE – Digital Procurement
- – Quick Lift Cranes – Modular Compact Lifting Systems
Lifetime Achievement Award
- – Joseph van Huyssteen
- – John Bowman
- – Joseph “Sepp” Kleiner
- – Craig Douglas
Manufacturer Product Innovation of the Year Award
- – Enerpac – CR-Series Cribbing Rings
- – iGus – Polymer Plain Bearings
- – Jungheinrich – EAE 212a Autonomous Mobile Robot
- – Konecranes – Design Life Analysis
- – Konecranes – Lubrication Free Belt Hoist
- – Libra Plant – Alimak Scando 650
- – Liebherr – LTM 1650-8.1
- – Sarens Siba – XLC18000M
- – Xtyre – Load Devices
Project of the Year Award
- – Eskom/COET – 1488.6 Ton Lift
- – Johnson Crane Hire – Impofu Wind Project
- – Libra Plant – Senqu River Bridge Project
- – Sarens Siba – Kariba Dam
- – Sarens Siba – Mondi Project Vuselela
- – SkyJacks – Heli Lift
- – Trisano Earth Movers – Northam Booysendal Mine
- – Trisano Earth Movers – Northam Zondereinde Solar Farm
- – Vanguard – Poland to Malta Power Station
- – WWLTS – Dormac Shipyards
Safety & Training Award
- – Kwick Access Rentals – Smart Start Monday
- – LMI Academy – Malcolm Harris
- – SM Environmental Technologies International
- – TVL Training
Sponsors supporting industry recognition
The Southern African Lifting Awards acknowledges the sponsors whose support helps make this celebration possible. Their involvement brings together equipment manufacturing, digital compliance, heavy lifting, recruitment, exhibitions, testing and specialist safety expertise.
YOKE Industrial Corp – Platinum sponsor
YOKE Industrial Corp manufactures industrial lifting components and fall protection hardware. Its products support the safe connection and handling of loads, making the company part of the equipment supply chain behind lifting operations.
YOKE’s focus also extends to digital product identification and traceability. As a platinum sponsor, its support helps recognise the engineering, innovation and safety practices celebrated by the awards. YOKE is also an Environment Award finalist for its Digital Product Passport entry.
RiConnect – Platinum sponsor
RiConnect provides a digital platform for asset compliance and lifecycle management. It connects equipment identification with documentation such as declarations of conformity, inspection records and Digital Product Passports, helping businesses maintain visibility of their assets and associated records.
Its cloud-based management and RFID integration support traceability across the equipment lifecycle. RiConnect’s sponsorship reflects the growing importance of accessible, connected information in lifting equipment management.
Electra Mining Africa – Photography sponsor
Electra Mining Africa brings together businesses across mining, electrical, automation, manufacturing and related industrial sectors. The exhibition gives suppliers and customers a platform to explore technology, demonstrate equipment, and build business relationships.
As photography sponsor, Electra Mining Africa captures the awards evening’s defining moments, including trophy presentations and the people behind the winning achievements. These photographs help extend recognition beyond the ceremony through subsequent media coverage.
Sarens Siba – Main table sponsor
Sarens Siba brings heavy lifting and transport expertise to demanding industrial projects in Southern Africa. Its operations draw on local capabilities and access to the wider Sarens equipment network, including resources for maintenance and shutdown work.
As main table sponsor, Sarens Siba supports an evening that brings the industry together to recognise achievement and strengthen professional relationships. The company is also represented among the finalists through the Kariba Dam and Mondi Project Vuselela projects, as well as its XLC18000M entry.
Lifting Placements – Sponsor
Lifting Placements supports the people side of the lifting industry by connecting employers and candidates through its specialist recruitment platform.
Its involvement highlights a central theme of the awards: equipment and technology deliver their greatest value when supported by capable people. By supporting industry recognition, Lifting Placements helps place attention on skills, career development and the workforce behind successful lifting operations.
Johnson Crane Hire – Sponsor
Johnson Crane Hire provides mobile crane hire, rigging and heavy and abnormal transport services. Established in 1976, the company has built five decades of experience serving customers with a range of lifting requirements, from routine work to complex projects.
Its sponsorship supports recognition of the planning, technical capability and teamwork involved in successful lifting operations. Johnson Crane Hire is also a Project of the Year finalist for the Impofu Wind Project, while Violet Mamabolo is shortlisted for Apprentice Technician of the Year.
Alpha Load Testing and Services – Sponsor
Alpha Load Testing and Services adds its support to the 2026 sponsor line-up, reinforcing the awards’ emphasis on safe and dependable lifting operations.
Testing and equipment assurance are essential parts of the wider lifting industry. Alpha’s participation highlights the importance of equipment reliability alongside the engineering achievements, projects and people celebrated during the evening.
Phakamisa Safety Consultants – Sponsor
Phakamisa Safety Consultants provides specialist lifting equipment training, audits and consulting services. Its offering includes lifting tackle inspection, slinging and rigging training, plant inspections, operating procedures and inspection registers.
Working with equipment users across mines, industrial plants and factories, Phakamisa focuses on practical measures that support safe lifting and compliance. Its sponsorship reinforces the value of technical knowledge, sound procedures and ongoing skills development.
The countdown to 30 October
The awards evening will bring together the teams and individuals behind this year’s shortlisted achievements, with winners revealed during the ceremony.
Companies are encouraged to book their tickets or tables in advance. Selected sponsorship opportunities remain available for businesses wishing to support the event and connect with the lifting industry.
The Southern African Lifting Awards thanks all entrants, finalists, judges and sponsors for contributing to the 2026 programme and looks forward to celebrating with the industry in Boksburg.
- Date: 30 October 2026
- Venue: Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg
- Host: Lifting Africa
- Website: www.liftingawards.co.za
