2014 Business Awards |09 December 2014
Andrew Padayachy entrepreneur of the year
Andrew Padayachy, owner of Padayachy Funeral Services and Padayachy Video Rental, has been named Seychelles’ best entrepreneur for 2014 by the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industries (SCCI).
A past Air Seychelles employee and taxi driver, Mr Padayachy received the Best Entrepreneur Award on Saturday evening during the Business Awards gala held at the Eden Bleu hotel. Present at the event were former President James Mancham, Minister for Health Mitcy Larue, British High Commissioner Lindsay Skoll, chairperson of the SCCI Marco Francis and other board members, other awardees as well as a large portion of the business community.
Reacting to the recognition, Mr Padayachy told the press that he felt himself in a near state of shock after hearing his name being called. Coming back to his senses however, the funeral undertaker admitted that he deserved the award. Now owner of parlours in Victoria, Plaisance, Anse Royale and Mont Fleuri with a coffin shop, mortuary and chapel in that same district, Mr Padayachy explained that the reward was a result of his hard work and devotion.
“I am shocked but at the same time I realise that I deserve it. We have in a couple of years developed from my mother’s owned small family business to what we are today. The public in general know of the good service we give and we do it with our hearts,” he said.
The always smart looking and smiling entrepreneur has wished to thank all those who have helped and encouraged him in his career, specially families who have put their trust in him for the burial of their loved ones.
Yet not satisfied with his achievements, Mr Padayachy has promised to continue improving the services he and his company offer.
“I wanted to have the Padayachy name echoed in Seychelles where funeral service is concerned. We have achieved this. In five years time, the service will be completely different in Seychelles as we bring in European standard mixed with Creole culture,” he said.
In all 10 business awards were distributed during the gala evening. The other best achievers and categories were as follows: La Plaine St André best tourism establishment, Jouel best retail service, Exotic Scents best artisan, Seychelles Breweries best manufacturing company, Ile de Palme Hotel best product innovator, Nature Seychelles best organisation in environment sustainability, Rotary Club Coco de Mer best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributing organisation, Mike King Harmond was awarded for life time achievement while the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) retained the price won last year for best financial service.
The guests were entertained by Dubai-based Seychellois artist Emmanuel Marie. He had flown in especially for the event.
All proceeds from the gala will go towards the North East Point Old People’s Home. While underlining the SCCI’s pivotal role in the development of the country, Minister Larue has thanked the organisation and its sponsors for the gesture. She has called on other companies to partner with the Ministry of Health in order to bring a more comfortable life to the elderly.
During the evening, the wine importer and wholesaler ‘East Indies’ also made a donation to the North East Point Old People’s Home.
Mr Francis took the opportunity to talk about the SCCI’s plans for the coming year. These include the construction of its own building to be named ‘Chamber House’, the launch of a Commercial Arbitration Centre which will resolve business conflicts without going to court, and a major business expo which promises to be the biggest international trade fair ever to be held in the country. The private sector boss also asked the businessmen present to study the possibility of setting up a revolving fund which will help small businesses.
“There is space in our economy for different size commercial activities. Let us give each other room to grow and let us not seek to let each other down,” he asked from the business community.
He also called for competitive pricing for customers as well as reward and training for workers.
“Put emphasis on training. A trained worker will give you results,” Mr Francis concluded.
