The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) will on the 14th of February 2015 host the Inaugural Ubuntu Awards at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This is part of the Department’s plans to recognise South African industry leaders and eminent persons for their contribution to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values across the world.
South Africans are invited to nominate ordinary individuals and organizations whom through excellence, creativity, social responsibility and patriotism have distinguished themselves as global brand ambassadors that South Africa can be proud of.
The 2015 Inaugural Ubuntu Awards will be held under the theme “Forging smart partnerships through Diplomacy”
The Awards will consist of six categories, which citizens may nominate someone and they are as follows:
1.1. Ubuntu Economic Diplomacy Award
A business/brand which has contributed to South Africa’s reputation as a positive business and investment environment and has helped realise South Africa’s socio-economic goals of, among others, creating jobs and attracting investment.
This category consists of two subcategories:
(i) South African business/brand operating beyond Africa
(ii) South African business/brand operating primarily within Africa.
1.2. Ubuntu Arts and Cultural Diplomacy Award
An individual or organisation that has promoted South Africa’s arts and culture and/or the exchange of cultural programmes between South Africa and international communities.
1.3. Ubuntu Social Responsibility Award
A South African organisation or individual who has consistently acted for and contributed to the benefit of others and built a reputation for South Africa as a caring nation.
1.4. Ubuntu Youth Diplomacy Award
An individual, between the age of 15 and 35, who through his/her actions, activities and achievements, has promoted South Africa as a dynamic country with an enabling environment for youth to thrive and contribute to making South Africa and the world a better place.
1.5. Ubuntu Sport Diplomacy Award
An individual who, through achieving excellence in sports, has served as a Brand Ambassador for South Africa and promoted a positive image of the country.
1.6. Jonny Makhatini Excellence in Diplomacy Award
A post-retirement or posthumous award for a South African diplomat who had served South Africa with distinction and made extraordinary contributions to diplomacy during his/her tenure in government and international relations in the new democratic dispensation.
Citizens may submit their nomination by e-mail to ubuntuawards@dirco.gov.za or by hand at DIRCO, OR Tambo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, Pretoria, 0084. Nominations will close on the 31st January 2015.
