Four humble projects from four different categories. First category, Social Welfare (unfunded) second category, Social Welfare (funded), third category, Poverty Eradication (funded) and fourth category, Poverty Eradication (unfunded) have been awarded the first positions in the 2010 Community Builder of the Year which was held in Mmabana Taung, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, on Friday, 15 October.
The winner in the first category (social welfare unfunded) is Madibogo Multi Skills Development Centre which is the brainchild of an ex-convict Andrew Lekgari. Lekgari’s project from Madibogo village near Mafikeng scooped an award which carries R50 000 in prize money. He used his time in jail to turn his life around, acquiring numerous life-skills such as business management and conflict management. His project (Madibogo Multi-skills Development Centre) is a youth development organisation that was established in 2006 as a non-profit entity that relies on donations to achieve its objectives. The project provides training services such as traditional music, drama, poetry, soccer, netball and boxing to about 250 in and out of school youth. The impact it has on the community is that since its establishment, there has been a significant decline in the number of learners who dropped out of school as well as those who indulge in alcohol and other forbidden substances. The project sustains itself through fund raisings. The first runner up in this category is Lerato Pre-School from Ventersdorp which won R40 000, followed by Holane Skills and recreation Centre from Mogogelo in Moretele as the second runner up which got at least R20 000.
In the second category (social welfare funded), the first prize of R30 000 was won by Tshupe Hospice and Home Based Care from Bojanala District which supports orphans in and around Tlhabane. The overall aim of this project is to alleviate the suffering and to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on orphaned and vulnerable children, by facilitating change in their community. The project sustains itself by embarking on skills development and income generating activities such as sewing, knitting, baking and food gardening. The first runner up in this category is Tshidilamolomo Home Based Care which won a R20 000 and the second runner up is Thusano Counselling, Care and Support Organisation from Southey in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.
Under the third category (poverty eradication funded), Ikageng youth foundation from Ngaka Modiri Molema won the first prize taking home R30 000. The project which is headed by Tebogo Mabaso aims at eradicating poverty in the village especially among the youth. They focus on income generating activities such as hiring of tents and toilets, chairs and tables as well as decor for weddings and other events. The first runner up in this category is Letsema le thata ka beng from Rietspruit in Rustenburg which won an amount of R20 000 and the second runner up is Putting youth in action from Kagisano in Ganyesa which won an amount of R10 000.
The winner in the fourth category (poverty eradication unfunded) is Bana ba kgwale from Oukasie Madibeng in Bojanala District which won a whooping R50 000. Bana ba kgwale is an agricultural cooperative which was established in 2006 after a group of ten members received a workshop on agricultural farming. The overall aim and objectives of the project is to enable emerging farmers to participate in the agricultural economy. It also creates jobs for the unemployed and aims at transferring knowledge and skills to their community and neighbouring communities. Through the help of community members, the project has adopted families and schools around the village. They donate surplus vegetables to the identified needy families. The first runner up in that category is Rekopantswe Sewing Project from Mogareng in Taung. The project walked away with an award of R40 000 followed by Sello’s Computer Institute which won atleast R30 000.
Speaking on behalf of adjudicators, Mr Thapelo Molaiwa said the criterion that was used to choose the best from the rest was based on the impact that the project was making within the community, the ownership of the community towards that project, the sustainability of the project and its replicability, its social standing, the emotional intelligence of the project, its ability to form partnerships and volunteerism as well as its capacity to leave a legacy.
Another special award was given by MEC Rebecca Kasienyane to a remarkable elderly gentleman whose contribution in the development of the local community is equal to none, Mr Joe Padisho hailing from Taung in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. This outstanding figure is the first black person to build a shopping complex at Pampierstadt, Kgomotso and Losasaneng villages during the apartheid era. He used his accumulated wealth to develop communities in various ways. He paid tuition fees for deserving students from poor families to complete their degrees. He renovated schools around Taung that were destroyed by bad weather, he helped many destitute families by contributing money to bury their loved ones with dignity. He sponsored the first professional team at Pampierstad Mountain Swallows and also contributed a lot in the development of sports in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and He is currently financing the running of Vaaltar Local Community Radio Station in Taung and is a patron of the station. This outstanding, remarkable, generous and exemplary leader received the MEC’s Special Award.
Congratulating the winners, MEC Kasienyane said “You deserve recognition, acknowledgement and reward. I hope with this award ceremony all individuals, organisations and projects will be inspired to do more for our communities and to understand that we need each other as partners with one common goal of improving the lives of our people. Working together we can do more to improve the lives of our communities”.
Community Builder of the year concept acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of diverse individuals, groups and institutions towards the upliftment of South African communities. It also acknowledges community workers for their outstanding work and sacrifice, irrespective of race, colour or creed, in the quest to build a South Africa that truly belongs to all.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 0829299958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Humble projects win Community Builder of the year 2010
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