KARIEGA – The Afri-Save Group Director and CEO, Munir Jeeva, was honoured with the Businessperson of the Year award at the Minara Chamber of Commerce Business Recognition Awards 2026 and Gala Dinner, held at the NMJ Conference Centre in Durban on Friday, 23 October.

Jeeva, who leads the Nelson Mandela Bay-based wholesale and retail group, said he was filled with gratitude when his name was announced.

“I thought of my family, our Chairman Yusuf Jeeva, our team, and everyone who has supported Afri-Save along the way,” said Jeeva.

He described the recognition as particularly meaningful because Afri-Save’s journey is rooted in Kariega and the wider Nelson Mandela Bay community, reflecting the dedication of the team and the continued support of the customers, suppliers and communities who had helped the business grow.

“An award carries one person’s name, but there are many people behind that achievement. I felt proud to represent our business and our community, and humbled that our work had been recognised on a national platform,” said Jeeva.

“The award is a milestone, and it brings a responsibility to keep earning the trust that made it possible. Our customers should feel the benefit of our progress in their everyday dealings with Afri-Save,” he said.

Jeeva brings more than 21 years of leadership in wholesale and retail to the role. “Building the business had required competitive buying, strong supplier relationships and earning customers’ trust through consistent service. The challenge lay in balancing affordability with the costs of running and growing a sustainable business,” he said.

He said the group has since grown into five Afri-Mart Supermarkets, serving both traders and households with more than 42,000 products. Its digital platform and free door-to-door delivery service throughout Nelson Mandela Bay form part of its commitment to convenient and affordable shopping. The group employs about 120 people and delivers across a 500 km radius.

Kariega-rooted group’s CEO credits team and community after national recognition

“Wholesale serves traders and businesses, while supermarkets allow us to meet households’ everyday needs more directly. Growth must respond to what customers need and be supported by reliable service. The company’s promise of ‘Saving you the most’ remains central to how we approach the business,” Jeeva said.

Jeeva credited the team of about 120 people as fundamental to everything the group does, from buyers and warehouse staff to drivers, shelf packers, cashiers, administrators and managers.

“Behind every job was a household, which made building a stable, sustainable business especially meaningful.”

Beyond its wholesale and retail operations, Afri-Save’s community work includes feeding initiatives, support for school tuckshops and blood donation drives.

Jeeva said he would not single out one initiative above the others but acknowledged that feeding initiatives held particular meaning for him. “Food is such an immediate human need, and it is closely connected to the work we do every day. A meal can bring relief and restore a sense of dignity.”

He believes businesses depend on their communities and should take an active interest in their wellbeing, beginning with providing honest value, treating customers and employees with respect, and creating dependable employment.

“When households, schools and small businesses become stronger, the whole local economy benefits.” For Jeeva, the advice to a young entrepreneur in Nelson Mandela Bay is simply to build trust before chasing recognition.

“There is no substitute for consistency. You can build something worthwhile from Nelson Mandela Bay; start by solving a real need and serving people well.”

Looking ahead, he said his focus over the next five years is on sustainable growth, stronger retail and wholesale operations, developing the group’s people, and making shopping more convenient through the online platform and delivery service.

“The national recognition showed that a business rooted in Kariega could make an impact recognised across South Africa.”

He hoped it would give others encouragement to build, invest and create opportunities in the region.

“Our customers and community have helped shape Afri-Save, so I see this as a moment of pride we can share with them.”

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