Martina Laurie, CEO of mobile massage and wellness services specialist company Hands On Treatment, has won the Women-Owned Enterprise Award at the 2nd Annual South African Premier Business Awards /2013 2014 held in Sandton on Wednesday 19 March 2013.

The event is organised under the auspices of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) in association with partners Proudly South African and Brand South Africa. This year’s event was sponsored by Absa and Gibs and was officially opened by President Jacob Zuma who thanked businesses for their contribution towards South Africa’s 20 years of democracy.

The Awards recognise local enterprises that invest in both human and technical resources in various projects/ activities, produce quality products and services, and remain competitive both domestically and internationally.

Hands-On Treatment is a Johannesburg and Cape Town based company with Level 1 BBBEE certification. It has been a Proudly South African member since 2003 and in 2007 received the Proudly South African best SMME Service award.

It has established an in-house training programme that has been running for ten years.

The Company has a partnership in place with the Services SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority). According to the terms of the partnership the Authority pays a portion of their salary per intern and Hands on Treatment takes in four candidates as trainee therapists per six-month period.

Laurie has been recognised for the difference both she and the business have made to the employment of young urban woman and to communities, particularly in terms of training and skills development in the youth sector.

In the past Laurie has spoken of the patience and genuine desire required to help and empower woman, whilst the return is the satisfaction of having impacted positively on the life of someone who needed help.

“I am very honoured to have received this award. It is encouraging to me professionally and personally. The wellness industry is growing in significance and we are committed to helping to establish and maintain the highest standards,” said Laurie.