The Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset has announced the finalists in the 2011 Grahamstown Citizen of the Year Award. These citizens were chosen from nominations submitted by the public of local heroes conducting extraordinary service.
The Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset has announced the finalists in the 2011 Grahamstown Citizen of the Year Award. These citizens were chosen from nominations submitted by the public of local heroes conducting extraordinary service.
The Citizen of the Year Award was started in 2000 to recognise and honour local citizens who are examples of the Rotary maxim, “service above self”, and finalists are selected by a panel of former Citizens of the Year.
This year's nominations came from a broad spectrum of society and highlighted the continued and varied work that Grahamstown citizens do to make the area a better place. The standard of nominations was exceptional and the judges were hard-pressed to make a decision.
The Citizen of the Year and the finalists receive cash prizes for the charities of their choice. 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), Advocate Nicky Turner (2005), Ntsiki Mphalwa-Mene (2006), Grace Ngcete (2007), Janet Buckland (2008), Prof Mike Whisson (2009) and Dr Kenneth Ncgoza (2010).
Sponsored by GBS, Netcare and Pick n Pay, the gala dinner celebrating the finalists and ultimately, the winner, will be held at the Settlers' Monument on 29 October.
Tickets can be obtained by calling 084 496 1800 – speak to Graeme.
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This year’s finalists:
Jai Clifford-Holmes/Galela Amanzi
Jai Clifford-Holmes abandoned dreams of becoming a politician when he became involved with Galela Amanzi, indicative of the life-changing effects that dynamic projects have, not only on the designated communities, but also the project leaders. As chairman of the student-run water project, he oversaw the continued implementation of its goals while also pursuing a Masters of Social Sciences in Integrated Development (focusing on water management).
Galela Amanzi – meaning "pour the water" in Xhosa – is a Rhodes University student project formed in 2007. It has links to the North Eastern University in the US – through the Global Pact Programme.
Galela Amanzi installs rainwater tanks in key positions in the disadvantaged regions of Grahamstown, providing water for irrigating community vegetable gardens, for cooking and drinking purposes, as well as to keep schools open when there are water-supply problems.
In this way, they promote healthy and sustainable communities. Since their launch, Galela Amanzi have successfully set up several rainwater tanks in the following areas in Grahamstown: Sun City Community Centre, Andrew Moyake Primary School, St Augustine’s Church and Eluxolweni Children’s Shelter among others. More tanks are to be installed this year, bringing the total to almost 20 water tanks installed.
In 2008, Galela Amanzi was elected as the official Rhodes campus initiative for community engagement, housed in the Centre for Social Development (CSD). From 2010, Galela Amanzi continues as a student society on campus. They collaborate with a number of local community organisations, including Grass, the Kowie Catchment Campaign, Umthathi Training Project and Rhodes University's Centre for Social Development.
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Xola Mali
Xola grew up and was schooled in Grahamstown. He is a largely self-taught film-maker and photographer. His natural desire to see others develop their to their full potential is what prompted him to voluntarily teach film and photography to pupils after school. He has worked with pupils from Nombulelo High, Khutliso, Mrhwetha and CM Vellem schools. As a trained citizen journalist, he offers his knowledge and experience, which has led to dramatic gains in the pupils' confidence. Teachers report that once quiet and shy children become more interactive and confident after participating in his courses.
What makes Xola achievements even more exceptional is that he has no still or video cameras of his own or to let his classes use. His lack of funding and resources has not deterred him and his ability to interact with relevant stakeholders enables him to borrow equipment and continue reaching out to the youth of Grahamstown.
However, this is not the only aspect of community upliftment that Xola is engaged in.
Calling himself a social activist, he is secretary to the unemployed people's movement which educates communities about their rights to education, sanitation and water as well as housing. This movement has resulted in the creation of a platform for the marginalised to have a voice.
Xola has recently registered a non-profit organisation called Studio Embo, where he collaborates with other artists to use art, music and drama to treat social ills and wounds in the community. Xola’s enthusiasm, commitment and initiative make him an upstanding member of the community.
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The Grahamstown High Court Action Committee
The committee have kept up a sustained campaign of information and publicity regarding the disastrous consequences of the proposal to move the seat of the high court to Bhisho.
The committee’s actions, after a direct engagement with the Minister of Justice, have persuaded the authorities to abandon the proposal. They remain vigilant however, should proposals like this be received in the future.
By keeping the high court in Grahamstown, hundreds of jobs and significant local economic revenue have been preserved.
The Grahamstown High Court Action Committee consists of civic-minded individuals who predominantly have no direct legal interest but who united against the threat of what would happen to Grahamstown should the high court be relocated. They selflessly dedicated large amounts of time, energy and money to protect the larger interests of Grahamstown, epitomising “Service above Self”.
A campaign of information, petitioning and advertising through social media, banners and in print has proven yet again that a group of committed people can have an enormous impact on governmental actions.
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Margaret Ngcanga
Margaret Ngcanga established the Home of Joy Project in her home in Joza, taking in abandoned and neglected children. Starting with one baby, she now has 19 children ranging in age from birth to 17 years in her care. She also established a soup kitchen, feeding hungry community members every Sunday.
Margaret has three children of her own, and once they left home she decided to “build a new family for herself”. Since establishing the Home of Joy in 2006, many children’s lives have been touched and changed for the better. The children come from severely challenged environments and many have disabilities, a history of abuse, or HIV. Through her project she provides them with a safe, nurturing base on which to become well-nourished, cared-for children and ultimately turning them away from the downward spiral that could so easily have snatched them up.
Running and sustaining a community project is a challenge, but taking care of the physical and emotional needs of 19 children 24 hours a day is a mammoth undertaking.
In addition, her weekly soup kitchens add the burden of work that this exceptional person undertakes.
She has a number of Rhodes student volunteers who assist her on a weekly basis. When they become homesick, they are invited to spend the weekend in Margaret’s home.
Margaret's achievements above deserve recognition, but there is something more, something less tangible that makes her exceptional: Her spiritual, moral and authentic leadership in a troubled environment which works against people with dreams and ideals.
She is humble and one will never hear her telling people about her work. However, her actions and results portray her impact on the community more eloquently than any testimonial.
