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Sumaya Suliman has won Woman Entrepreneur of the Year



Sumaya Suliman has won Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Welcome to Women Icon

January 09, 2025

Sumaya Suliman has won Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

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Subject: Nomination for Businesswoman of the Year - Sumaya Suliman

This is an enthusiastic nomination for Sumaya Suliman for the prestigious title of Businesswoman of the Year. Sumaya's extraordinary journey from her humble beginnings to her status as a successful entrepreneur and business leader is nothing short of inspirational.

Sumaya's entrepreneurial spirit was evident even in her early years when she displayed remarkable ingenuity by making and selling bor (soaked jujube fruit) to her schoolmates while in Grade 5. This entrepreneurial spark ignited a lifelong passion for business that has only grown brighter over the years.

After matriculating in Laudium, Pretoria, Sumaya initially embarked on a career in the corporate world, working at Standard Bank and ABSA, where she honed her skills in data capture and debt collection. However, her life took a different turn when she married and joined her husband in their family's 24-hour takeaway business, demonstrating her adaptability and determination to succeed in any endeavour.

The turning point in Sumaya's career came when she and her husband pooled their resources and purchased their first truck, laying the foundation for RNS Transport Pty Ltd in 2001. Under her leadership, RNS has become a prominent player in the transport and logistics industry, specializing in transporting loads up to 32/34 tons between Durban and Johannesburg. Sumaya's commitment to excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction has been a driving force behind the company's success.

In addition to her thriving transport business, Sumaya ventured into the restaurant industry, making her mark as the owner of Jimmy's Killer Prawns establishments in Westwood Mall and Gateway, among others. During the global pandemic, which posed significant challenges to the restaurant industry, Sumaya demonstrated remarkable resilience and ingenuity. She and her children proactively initiated a creative response to the crisis by taking charge of their own deliveries. They ingeniously utilized excess stock originally intended for in-house sales, personally handled prawn cleaning and marinating at home, and even forged partnerships with local supermarkets to make their products available for customers to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. Considering the restrictions that made dining in restaurants impossible, Sumaya's ability to explore and embrace new avenues for her business truly set her apart.

Sumaya's influence extends beyond the business world. She is a mother of four and has successfully involved her children in her various ventures. Her eldest son is now part of the transport business, while her eldest daughter manages the Calistos branch. Sumaya's ability to balance her roles as a Muslim woman, mother, and wife while excelling in the business world is a testament to her resilience and determination.

Moreover, Sumaya's diverse portfolio also includes property investment, and she continues to excel in this arena as well. Sumaya initially acquired a property with the intention of making it an investment. However, upon reflection, she recognized that dealing with tenants would introduce unnecessary stress into her life. In a brilliant move, she decided to transform the property into a guesthouse, a venture she successfully managed for seven years. When the challenges of the COVID- 19 pandemic arose, Sumaya's Corporate Image

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