The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) hosted the inaugural South African Youth Awards (SA Youth Awards) on Saturday, 28 July 2012 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand following months of planning and intense preparation. The awards, solely dedicated to recognising outstanding the achievements of young South Africans were both inspiring and spectacular.
With the theme 'Against All Odds', the primary objective of the SA Youth Awards is to provide a platform to showcase the exceptional work and contribution that young people are making in their communities and the world and to tell inspiring stories of youth who have achieved extra ordinary merits, despite odds and the challenges. The awards also seek to recognise individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to youth development.
The most sought after prize of the night, chosen from the finalists, the Presidential Award, was awarded to Nolwazi Pinkie Madlala, 26, a physically disabled woman who has faced challenges of studying and working in an ‘able bodied world’ where adaptations and adjustments to facilitate wheel chair accessibility are not always made. She is currently working as an intern clinical psychologist at 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane Pretoria and will undertake a year of community service in 2013.
Nolwazi having won in two categories received, R50 000 for the Extraordinary Champions Category and R100 000 for having won the Presidential Award (the overall award of the evening) plus a bursary sponsored by Educor valued at R100 000 for three years of tertiary education at Damelin.
"We would like to congratulate all the great achievers of the night and we would also like to remind the runners up and all those that were nominated this year that they are all winners and that it is with pride and joy that we serve the youth of South Africa." said Steven Ngubeni, CEO of the NYDA.
Hosted by Generations actor Thato Molamu and television presenter Carly Fields, the show took the audience through the times, from Sophiatown to modern day South Africa with dazzling performances by the Mahotella Queens, hip hop duo Jozi, Blondie Makhene, Teargas and Self Made Cheese, authors and performers of the NYDA's youth empowerment song, and Limitless Youth, amongst others.
The following were young men and women who were awarded in these different categories:
Academic Excellence category: Peter Malati, 30, who is a Postdoctoral candidate in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town and runs a chemistry project in six high schools in Nokaneng Circuit in Mpumalanga mentoring rural learners in science and engineering.
Arts and Entertainment category: Paul Modjadji, 29, who is the recipient of the Global Youth Leadership Award from the Global Youth Leadership Congress in Washington DC for his contribution to the dance community.
Entrepreneurship category: Refilwe Ledwaba, 33, who has established the South African Women in Aviation and Aerospace Industry (SAWIA), a non-profit organisation aimed at empowering women in aviation.
Extraordinary Champions category: Nolwazi Pinkie Madlala, 26, who has overcome adversity and currently working on her thesis for her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
Health and Wellbeing category: Ross McReath, 18, who founded Tiger Titans Cricket club to provide diversion for youth in Nolukhanyo township, Eastern Cape. His club gives youth access to pro-trials and also gives them a chance to experience life beyond township boundaries.
Science and Technology category: Sir Stuart Ntlathi, 25, who invented a 15-in-1 microwave oven, an electronic Vuvuzela and an auto shoe polisher.
Social Cohesion category: Lebogang Bogopane, 29, who works as a volunteer at a 24-hour centre for abused/abandoned children and women. She not only counsels victims; she cooks, feed, bathes, and refers them to relevant professionals for further assistance.
Environment category: Ntombomzi Thelma Tsotetsi, 33, who is a farmer and hosts workshops in her community teaching them about environment, climate change and how to grow organic vegetables.
Each winner received R50 000 and each runner up walked away with R20 000. Educor sponsored a Damelin Student Degree Bursary (three years of study) to the value of R100 000. SA Express, as one of the sponsors, flew in finalists from outside of Gauteng, Blackberry sponsored an All Touch Blackberry Curve 9380 Smart phone for each winner and Unilever sponsored a goodie bag with their Motions hair care products that were given away on the evening.
For more information:
Sibongile Mqakayi
Account Manager
Jenni Newman Public Relations (Pty) Ltd
Switchboard: 011 506 7350
Cell: 083 465 9936
E-mail: sibongileM@jnpr.co.za
