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This is according to the 2007 Ask Africa Trust Barometer, run in conjunction with Finweek magazine, the results of which were released on Friday morning.
Entrepreneur Brian Joffe of the Bidvest Group was placed second, with Maree and Joffe jockeying for first place in this category since 2004.
Consumers and investors have become disillusioned about the companies they do business with, following scandals at Fidentia, WorldCom and Enron.
The barometer provides some clues as to who the most trusted brands in South Africa are.
"It's all good and well complying with the King report, but you get a good reputation by having integrity and ethical values," says Ask Afrika director Sarina De Beer.
The 2007 survey revealed that Standard Bank was the most admired company in South Africa followed up by SAB Miller and MTN in second and third place respectively.
The category was decided factors such as financial performance, external business perceptions, product offering and the way the company interacted with the country at all levels from consumer to social responsibility initiatives.
The survey also revealed that quality leaders play an important role in driving the reputation of a business.
The 2007 survey for the first time included a barometer of black-owned companies. With many of the black-owned companies being relatively new entrants they do not have the same history as SAB Miller, Anglo American or Pick n Pay.
Listed resource and investment holding company Mvelaphanda was identified as the most trusted black-owned company in 2007. African Rainbow Minerals and Kagiso Trust Investments came in second and third place respectively.
An interesting trend highlighted by the barometer is that people are placing less value in individual brands and attributing greater value to quality of management.
"It may well be that the skills shortage has caused a growing focus on management quality," said SAB CEO Tony van Kralingen.
Jannie Mouton, CEO of listed financial services company said: "Reputation and trust can be lost or gained in good and bad times. Management of a company should always act with integrity."
- Fin24.com
