October 16, 2003
By Lucille Davie
IN an elegant white tent on a field at the Altrek Sports Centre in Alexandra the Tondani Lushaka Forum, a youth group, walked off with the winner's prize in the Angels Awards on Wednesday.
The awards, instituted for the first time this year, celebrate and support volunteerism and civic pride in Alexandra. They aim to honour people in the community who have "taken it upon themselves to unselfishly and courageously contribute to the well-being and care of weaker members of the community".
The Tondani Lushaka group, represented by Robert Mwede, wore bright yellow t-shirts they'd sponsored themselves. They erupted in cheers and hugs when they heard they had won. They take away a cheque to the value of R30 000. Eleven nominees were shortlisted for the prize.
The Tondani Lushaka Forum volunteers spend their time assisting disabled people, caring for senior citizens, and helping children to obtain their child grants. They also provide volunteers for other community projects in Alexandra.
The ceremony took place in the East Bank housing development across the Jukskei River, overlooking the sprawling township of Alex. The audience of about 80 people (who had patiently waited for three hours) were entertained with choral singing and mapantsula dancing. Many women wore colourful traditional dress, adding to the cheerful atmosphere.
One of the judges, Billy Madungandaba, a councillor in Region 7 in which Alexandra falls, said it had been a difficult task choosing the winner, but the winners were "way ahead" of their competitors.
All 11 nominees with their certificates
Each nominee was set a task to do, earning points, and Tondani Lushaka had no trouble getting the highest points. Madungandaba says he interviewed the winners three times, and was "absolutely convinced" that they were the right choice.
Madungandaba stressed that nominees were judged on the amount of time and resources they had sacrificed, receiving no funds from outside sources.
Other judges were Tankiso Molekane from the Gauteng Social Services Department; Pule Phalatse from the Alexandra Development Forum; and Joyce Dube from the SABC.
Guest speaker Paul Mashatile, Gauteng MEC for Housing, commended the nominees for giving of their time and effort to help "those amongst us who are forgotten".
He added: "Alex has people who want to get involved. It remains a vibrant community of active people."
He said he hoped this would become an annual event, while congratulating all nominees. "You're a winner if you have been shortlisted."
Alexandrans were asked in June to nominate people in the community who were voluntarily using their own resources to assist disadvantaged people. In all 111 nomination forms were received, with 11 organisations making up the final list of nominees.
Six categories of caregivers were identified: caring for terminally-ill people; feeding programmes; looking after the aged; helping people to access social grants; training and counselling of children and adults; and providing shelter for the homeless.
Two achiever awards were given out. Onica Mashego, an ANC stalwart and caring community member, who passed away several weeks ago; and the Reverend Sam Buti, considered by many to be the person responsible for saving Alex from apartheid's bulldozers in the 1970s. Both received cheques of R20 000.
Each nominee received a certificate. Two nominees received R1 000 each, plus a weekend away at one of The Don hotels. All remaining nominees received R650.
The prizes were sponsored by Alexandra Renewal Project consultants and The Don Hotel in Eastgate.
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