Seven awards were up for grabs during the Community Builder of the Year Award ceremony held in Port Alfred on Friday, 26 February 2010.
This prestigious event was organised to honour those who have given their best in community development. Previously, this annual event would focus on projects that are funded by the Department of Social Development. In this 2009/10 financial year, it took a turn by including the officials of the department from all the districts including the metro, with the exception of Chris Hani District that did not submit during the nomination process.
Annalie Odendaal from Ukhahlamba walked away as the best assistant manager of the year.
Phumza Ntukela from Ukhahlamba and Katrina Antonio-Holroyd from Cacadu were tied as best community development supervisor of the year.
Nomalunga Mafumana from OR Tambo outshined her competitors on the community development practitioner of the year award category.
Noluvuyo Lutuka from OR Tambo was the victor on the auxiliary community development practitioner award category.
Again, OR Tambo showed its dominance as Neziswa Rataza was voted the best pioneer in the Masupa-tsela Youth Pioneer of the year category.
Aliwal North, Fort Beaufort and Engcobo turned out to be the best performing area offices of the Department of Social Development and walked away with medal in the category.
Best performing district was mentioned last. This category looked at various aspects of the performance. Timeous payments made to projects, adherence of the officials to Batho Pele principles and performances of the officials in office were key in this category. It came as no surprise as OR Tambo was voted the best.
Newcomers were also awarded under a category dubbed special awards.
Tankiso Mvimbi from Chris Hani was voted the best assistant manager, whilst Xolani Nibe from Chris Hani was voted as community development supervisor of the year. Other special awards went to Nomazizi Funinto from Amathole and Ntombifuthi Tshapa from OR Tambo (assistant manager), Bongani Ntuli and Nokwanda Matyhantya both from OR Tambo (community development supervisor) and Nohlanga Nqadini and Mzwandile Bavu both from OR Tambo (community development practitioner).
The late Mr Lumkile Mvimbi and Mr Chris Sodladla, both from Chris Hani, were also recognised.
Issued by: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
3 March 2010
Source: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.socdev.ecprov.gov.za/)
