The Executive Mayor with the Makana Capitec Bank Civic Awards 2009 Overall Winner

There were four categories initially but due to few entrants for the business category, the judges decided to eliminate that category. The winners are as follows with the winners’ profiles.

Overall Winner: Liziwe Gqotolo
Nominated by Ms Millicent Manana for Community Service Category

Liziwe is running a crèche for the disabled children. She has contributed greatly to the Hambisela Training Program run by therapists in Makana District where they train mothers of children with cerebral palsy on the nature of the condition and how to care for their children in a way that facilitate their learning of skills. Liziwe attended the program and also operated as the translator.

As a mother of a disabled child herself, she is able to relate well to the mothers and facilitate discussions. She also assists the therapists at their monthly development clinics where children of any disability or delay are treated and she attends home visits in the surrounding community.

Liziwe is also a member of the Community Police Forum. She has attended Inyathelo Training Program in Johannesburg.

Winners in absentia Dr. Fred and Dr. Sarah Gess
Nominated by Ms. M. Lewis &Dr. Fredinand de Moor for the Environmental Conservation & Tourism Category

I would like to recommend Drs Fred and Sara Gess to be in the Makana – Capitec Civic Awards. They have given their time and effort to the Albany Museum and indirect to the local, national and international community for free.

They are both retired but have been dedicated to Albany Museum for more than 40 years. Even after their retirement they are still concerned that the collection of insects they were in charge of previously remains well cared of (curated). They also see to it that material from the collection can be used by researchers throughout the world.

They are still able to generate funds to continue to research, to increase knowledge and still add to the collection of insects both by bringing in specimens and by providing the free service of their expertise. This is a tremendous service to the whole community as the museum is the only organization housing the a comprehensive collection of insects between Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg along the coastal region and to Bloemfontein inland.

I can not think of more worthy people to receive an award in recognition for their contribution as an international community service and their contribution to environmental conservation and tourism.

Joint Winner Sakhuluntu Choral Choir´s representative J.L. Lukwe
Nominated by Monwabisi John Lukwe for Sport, Arts & ¨Culture Category

It has been more than five years now that the choir has been the champions in the choir competitions. The choir has represented Makana in the Cacadu District as well as in Eastern Cape Choral Music Organization. Sakhuluntu claimed the second spot in the district competition and first spot in the Solo Soprano section.

Provincially it secured a second spot in the battle of seven choirs. Despite the fact that members of Sakhuluntu Choral Choir are unemployed youth, however, they have managed to fundraise for a new uniform.

Joint Winner Linga Diko
Nominated by Vukile Teyise for the Sports, Arts & Culture Category

Linga Diko is a joint winner of a prestigious award in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Linga Diko and Christine Maree shared the 2008 Biennial Exhibition Award presented by Nelson Mandela Art Museum.

Diko is a print maker who works with Egazini Outreach Organization and he regularly exhibits his work both nationally and internationally. His work is influenced by what happens in daily life in Rhini township. Linga Diko’s exhibition is on show at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum.