iloveza.com has been announced as the winner of the Nation Pride category in the ongoing Brand South Africa 2021 Play Your Part Awards.
Earlier in the year, Brand South Africa launched a competition with focus to showcase organisations, businesses or initiatives that work to instill national pride in South Africans by portraying a positive image of the country both locally and globally.
iloveza.com is a website dedicated to selling local South African products, and in so doing providing a platform for South African entrepreneurs, businesspeople, artists and craftsmen.
Nabihah and Ziyaad Plaatjes co-founders, the sole funders, and the only staff who run the whole operation of iloveza.com, started the online platform to assist South Africans in realising their dreams. When the site was originally launched on 25 June 2015, under the name Sjok & Shizi, the site was primarily an online store. The idea of the online store was to give local traders a chance to showcase their products to the world.
There are many talented individuals that either do not have the time nor the money or sometimes even the tech know-how to have their own online store. Nabihah and Ziyaad decided that (even though they have limited resources themselves) they would give these individuals the platform to advertise their products.
Out of nearly 500 entries, iloveza.com was unanimously declared the winner by the awards’ judges. Play Your Part Awards judge Paul Modjadji remarked that, “the work done by iloveza is impactful, necessary and innovative, contributing to creating an economy that is conducive to combatting our widening unemployment rate.” Co-founder Ziyaad Plaatjes, who has also been awarded the title of Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, was wowed when he was informed of the long-running website’s win.
“Every time we meet someone, or interview them, we try and instil a love for our nation with them,” said Ziyaad. He continued, “Thank you to Brand South Africa for choosing us and recognising the work that we are doing to uplift the youth as well as assist the SMMEs here in South Africa”.
Nominations in the Job Creation category are now open, and if you know someone deserving of this recognition, nominate or enter the Brand South Africa 2021 Play Your Part Awards today by filling out the form on the Brand South Africa website: www.brandsouthafrica.com.
