Retail staff recognised at V&A Waterfront Awards
Shehaam Bakardien, from Woodstock, wins the store manager of the year award at the V&A Waterfront neighbourhood awards 2025.
Image: Fouzia Van Der Fort
Two retail staff members won top honours at the V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards 2025.
They were among the winners in 11 categories - including sustainability, empowerment, visual merchandising, and service excellence - who were announced at an awards ceremony at the aquarium on Wednesday, October 1.
The ceremony aims to showcase the Waterfront's retailers, restaurants, and small businesses that raised the bar. The second annual awards drew more entries; there were 155 entries compared to last year's 66.
The awards were judged by a panel in a process administered independently on behalf of the Waterfront.
The winners received specially commissioned bespoke trophies made by leading creatives operating in the precinct
Special recognition certificates were given to seven tenants, who celebrated 30 years in the Waterfront.
Shehaam Bakardien, 51, from Woodstock, won the store manager of the year award. She works for a designer handbag and purse retailer.
She has more than 30 years' experience in the retail industry, having started as a casual, then working her way through sales and into management. "I believe you have to be firm but fair. It is about empathy, nurturing and guiding my team, and encouraging them to do their best," she said.
Richard Mpahla, from Parklands, is the winner of the Retail service star champion award at the V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Awards 2025.
Image: Fouzia van der Fort
Richard Mpahla, from Parklands, who works at a retailer specialising in premium leather bags and accessories, as well as apparel and footwear, won the Retail Service Star Champion award.
He has been working for the retailer for about four years and has already been recognised in-house for his service. He previously worked in hospitality, which he says goes hand in hand with retail.
Mr Mpahla said that the award showed that the service he gives to customers is appreciated.
"It shows me that they really love the way I interact with them and make sure that every time they come into our store to buy something, it is always a lifetime experience," he said.
V&A Waterfront CEO David Green congratulated all of the winners and the nominees and encouraged them to keep up the work they do. "Within the waterfront we have like 700 retailer tenants, a hundred eateries - so anybody nominated and gets to this level has done incredibly well," he said.