Western Cape Companies Win Big at International Innovation Awards

Two Western Cape companies have earned international recognition for the province’s R19 billion food industry.

Blue Africa Trading and Munch Bowls both won big at the SIAL Innovation Awards which were held in Shanghai earlier this week.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, today (16 July 2014), congratulated the two companies for the positive exposure they have garnered for the Western Cape’s food sector.

Blue Africa Trading owner, Charl Rudman and, and Munch Bowls owner, Georgina de Kock, today met with the Minister Winde and showcased their award-winning products.

“Blue Africa Trading and Munch Bowls are excellent brand ambassadors for innovation in the Western Cape’s food sector. To remain globally competitive we have to embrace innovation. The food processing sector is a R19 billion industry and employs over 50 000 people. It’s also important to celebrate our entrepreneurial heroes,” said Minister Winde.

Blue Africa Trading, an international export company based in Stellenbosch, won the Innovation Award for its new-look tea box. Veering away from the traditional square box, the firm’s design features a round box with a slot at the back so retailers are able to hang the product for better display.

Munch Bowls won the Special Innovation Award for their environmentally friendly edible crisp wheat bowls.

The Western Cape Government-funded sector body in charge of promoting the fine foods industry, Western Cape Fine Foods Initiative, accepted the award on behalf of Munch Bowls.

Twenty-eight Western Cape companies attended the awards to exhibit their products. The exhibition is an important platform for access to the Asian market.