/ 20 December 2017

​The 2017 Raymond Mhlaba Community Builder of the Year Awards

There are community members who willingly support and provide for others without any expectations
There are community members who willingly support and provide for others without any expectations

The new council of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality — a merger of the former Nkonkobe Municipality and Nxuba Municipality — includes the historical towns of Adelaide, Alice, Balfour, Bedford, Fort Beaufort, Hogsback, Middledrift and Seymour in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape.

These small towns have produced heroes and heroines who have played a significant role in community development through sport and recreation activities, education, music, business, heritage, youth programmes, crime prevention and hospitality services.

Raymond Mhlaba Municipality has designated the month of December on its calendar of events as the month to celebrate and honour the extraordinary contributions made by these people, in partnership with sector departments and local associations.

The tourism unit hosted the 2017 Community Builder of the Year Awards on December 14 2017 in Bedford, to honour those citizens whose tireless efforts have contributed immensely towards improving the quality of life for the people in this area.

The main objectives of the event were: to encourage all the citizens to play a significant role in community support development programmes in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality; promote and strengthen a working partnership with the people, private sector and government towards building Raymond Mhlaba into a better place for all to live, work, invest, play and experience its natural beauty; celebrate and honour the role played by the heroes and heroines of Raymond Mhlaba in developing the community in the area; honour the local heroes and heroines who are ambassadors of Raymond Mhlaba at provincial and national level in sport; and showcase the area’s diversity, unity and warmth.

In his speech Raymond Mhlaba Mayor Bandile Ketelo said: “Although government yearly commits its budget to fund community projects, there are community members who willingly support and provide for others without any expectations. The municipality therefore honours such good, selfless acts and intends to annually do so through these awards.”

Category line-up, criteria and winners

Best Improved Grade 12 Results: one local school with the most improved grade 12 results in the final exams.

Winner: Gobizembe High School

Best Performing Co-operative: the co-operative must demonstrate sustainability and the ability to yield positive, long-term spin-offs.

Winner: Sinako Ukwenza Agricultural Co-operative.

Community Builder of the Year – Sport: the most promising and excelling sportsperson representing the municipality at local, provincial and national levels.

Winner (local sport): Zintle Ndobo.

Community Builder of the Year – Youth Programme: youth programmes initiated by local individuals, bodies or organisations that educate, encourage and provide a platform for youth to take part in a worthwhile cause.

Winner: Cennergi (Amakhala Emoyeni Windfarm).

Community Builder of the Year – Entrepreneurship: An inspiring, hard-working entrepreneur who is passionate about business and whose business stimulates local development.

Winner: H Solutions.

Community Builder of the Year – Crime Prevention: the most organised unit, forum or institution working against all odds to combat crime in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality.

Winner: Delyn Security Services.

Best Accommodation for 2017: A hospitality establishment that excels in customer service, with the most improved facilities.

Winner: The Duke of Bedford Inn.

Best Cultural Experience and Heritage 2017: it showcases cultural experiences, revives positive cultural practices, and educates locals about the importance of the heritage in the area.

Winner: Lekker Ding Performing Arts Group.

2017 Lifetime Achievement Award: an outstanding citizen who has dedicated immense energy towards liberating, educating and developing people in the area, to make it a better place for all.

Winner: Mthetheleli Ngumbela.

2017 Community Builder of the Year Overall Winner: an outstanding citizen or organisation involved in programmes that fight poverty, unemployment and crime, and help to improve the community.

Winner: Cennergi (Amakhala Emoyeni Windfarm).

Special Award: to honour an important and inspiring leader at local, provincial or national level.

Winner: Linda Mgweba.

Special Awards for Sport went to: Vuyolwethu Maqholo, Ayabonga Khaka, Thandi Nomthandazo Xwetu, Lwando Mabenge, Oliver Zono, Azola Fortuin, Lusindiso Danster, Makhosandile Plaatjies, Mihlali Rafa and Maphelo Nqolo.

Special Awards for Sport Veterans went to: Sipho Mashiqa, Mkhosana Yengeni, Sikhumbuzo Kwayinto, Dolly Ntaka and Mncedi Baart.

Internal employee awards and criteria

Outstanding Performance Employee: The most dedicated, disciplined and hardworking, friendly employee who is able to go the extra mile in his or her work and provide a good service to the community of Raymond Mhlaba. Awards went to: Clerance Golden, Sandile Ndlebe, Mzolisi Langa, Vuyani Njovane, Themba Mfecane, Phumeza Madotyeni and Mbuyiseli Solani.

Best Conduct Employee: Most humble, disciplined and hardworking employee who shows great character at all times at work and who conducts his or herself in a professional manner in any working condition. Awards went to: Nomzamo Melitafa, Ntombekhaya Nile, Zimkita Qengwa, Zinziswa Shosha, Lusanda Rooiland and Cynthia Mokitimi.

Long Service Employee: An outstanding long service employee in Raymond Mhlaba, who has dedicated his or her life to serving the institution and the community. The award was won by Lindiwe Kaleni.