JANET Buckland was named Grahamstown Citizen of the Year at a glittering Hollywood themed gala event held at the Monument.
JANET Buckland was named Grahamstown Citizen of the Year at a glittering Hollywood themed gala event held at the Monument.
The glitzy event was organised by the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset.
Guests were welcomed around the foyer area with a glass of champagne before walking down the red carpet to the auditorium entrance.
The wall to the entrance was covered with past winners and finalists and waitrons, in the guise of paparazzi, photographed guests as they walked the red carpet.
Guests were seated inside the auditorium as the announcement of the Grahamstown Citizen of the Year finalists were introduced.
The main winner was then announced and greeted with applause, as Janet Buckland collected the Citizen of the Year trophy, before making a winner’s speech in front of the ‘Hollywood’ crowd.
“It feels like my family, the community of Grahamstown has honoured me and for that I am deeply grateful,” said Buckland during her speech.
Queen of Dancers
Buckland was also recently recognised nationally as the Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year and the 2007 Herald Citizen of the Year arts and culture category.
MC for the evening, Michelle Brown, read out the citations for each of the finalists.
Buckland was nominated for recognition in the community “for her tireless work with local township dancers in the Amaphiko Dance Project,” said Brown.
“Janet has been sharing her contagious love for dancing with local girls, teaching them the discipline of dance and showing them how this can impact of every aspect of their lives.”
Buckland thanked the community of Grahamstown who have come to embrace the dancers as their own, who cheer them on whenever they perform and continue to affirm them in countless ways.
Grateful greetings
Buckland went on to thank the Makana Municipality for “allowing us to use the municipal halls, to the caretakers of the halls who are prepared to put councillors’ meetings in passages and kitchens rather than throw our youngsters out on the street.”
She thanked Pick n Pay and Fruit and Veg who sponsor hot dogs and apples to nurture hard-working and exhausted bodies, Brenda Lisk and the Rat and Parrot bakers for the fairy cakes that ease the stress of dance exams.
Buckland mentioned Rhodes University drama department, the Grahamstown Foundation, the Grahamstown Soroptomists, the National Arts & Schools’ Festivals and the many schools in Grahamstown “who provide endless support to the Amaphiko Dance Project”.
Her final thanks went to Grocott’s Mail “who never seem to tire of telling our stories”.
Former Grahamstown Citizens of the Year are:
· Denim Kroqwana (2000)
· Dr Mary Knowling (2001)
· Mark Shelton (2002)
· Rev Glen Craig (2003)
· Sister Gwen van Heerden (2004)
· Nicky Turner (2005)
· Ntsiki Mphalwa-Mene (2006)
· Grace Ngcete (2007).
Buckland won R5 000 to donate to a charity of her choice, while the other four finalists will each be given R1 000 to give to a charity of their choice.
