The cat is finally out of the bag as the nominees for this year’s South African Heroes Awards have been announced. This year the awards enjoyed an overwhelming record number of nominations – further solidifying its impact and the hunger from the public to celebrate their unsung heroes and heroines.
Last year’s success of the SAHAs was really astounding – but guess what…? This year the SAHAs will top it up a notch.
The awards honour and celebrate unsung heroes who are building their communities. The goal is to give our local heroes and sheroes their flowers while they can still smell them.
Over the past five years the SAHAs have enjoyed overwhelming success with nominations coming from all provinces. “We have had exceptional community leaders who won in the different categories that we have in the awards – some have gone on to collaborate with government and corporate on projects that further benefit their communities”, said awards founder and organiser, Amanda Matshaka.
With now 20 categories, the South African Heroes Awards are showing a steady growth. In the categories voted for by the pubic, two new categories have been added: the Community Media of the Year – carrying community empowering stories and Community Journalist of the year – covering community empowering stories.
Other categories for nominations are Youth Empowerment -uplifting young people through various programmes, Business Empowerment – offering assistance to start-ups/small businesses to help them succeed, Specialized Care – people who take care of vulnerable groups like orphans, disabled persons, abused people, widows, homeless, etc., Community Service – voluntary community work to benefit fellow community members, e.g. feeding programmes, community policing forums, etc. Community Health – health centres initiated and run by community members as well as primary health care, Rural Development – projects that uplift rural communities, Women Empowerment – programmes meant for the upliftment and empowerment of women and Community Builder of the Year Award – the overall winner voted for by finalists.
South African Heroes Awards Founder & CEO Amanda Matshaka and awards Creative Director Linda Njotini-Ugbobuako announcing the 2024 nominees
Honorary Awards this year are: Green Award – honours people who run projects/programmes for environmental preservation.
Ubuntu Award – honours veteran community builders whose projects have produced other noticeable community builders and high achievers.
Art of Giving – honours those who are uplifting communities through art.
Language Preservation Award – honours those who take pride in preserving indigenous languages.
Leader of Influence – honours exceptional leaders who lead by example and have a trail of positive influence.
Rights Activist of the Year – gives honour to those who fight tirelessly for human rights.
Aid Giver of the Year – honours exceptional first responders in times of disaster & distress.
Iconic Impact – honours an icon who has lived and continues to live their lives giving of themselves to others to ensure they succeed in life.
Excellence in Public Service – honours those in public service who deliver with excellence and go beyond the call of duty.
International Achiever – represents South Africa with pride abroad, changing and impacting lives.
And the Nominees are:
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
Tshegofatso Kitso Sello
Mosima Machaba
Zane Khoza
Luvuko Nkwenkwe
Minenhle Nation Mthimunye
Dr Nisi Thusi
Dr Mthobisi Ndaba
Kutlwano Moloi
Tlotlisang David Mhlambiso
The Junior Commissioners
Abongile Khwaza
Themba Ndlovu
KwaNobuhle Youth Empowerment
Seth Mazibuko, June 16 Youth Foundation
Tebogo Rakgabyane
Christina Maloka
Mohlodi Support Centre NPO
Sihle Mtshali Foundation
Michelle Nkamankeng of MN Foundation
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Talk and Heal
Caroline Lerole
Boby Nkoana Tsaagane
Didintle Olorato Moatshe
Mary Raletooane
Hulisani Siobo
Woman Paying It Forward SA
Mapule Sarah Mthimkhulu
Halaletsang Women Empowerment
Lunje Foundation
Lolo Nkamakeng
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Luyanda Kilani
Annah Seleke
Derrick Williams
SPECIALISED CARE
Annah Msimango
Sinawo Fatyi
Simphiwe Mdumiseni Nasha
Push and Reach Movement
Hope and Restoration Movement
Keep the Dream 196
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Jackson Morure
Thobela Mlotha
Dr Mzi Mabenge
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Mokgele Foundation
Makgitle Evans Mabowa
Georgina Mapule Mphatswe
Anthea Thyssen-Ambursley
Kuli Maluleke Foundation
Dineo Moagi
Tshepo Makola
Mankhedi Masha Foundation
Averille Botha
Lydia Hlongwane
Table View Angels NPC
Annah Mametsa
Sheila Tanner
Rowana Swarts
Sifa Vallery Tema
Myrtle Williams
Nomathamsanqa Rosemond Mqomboti
House of Labron foundation
Kedibone Mutuludi
Solly Nkgalabi Mankga
Mosel / Penford /Jansendal CPF
Levona Steeneveld
SIM (Service in Motion)
Debbie Wood
Big Brother’s Hug
Boitumelo Mashakeng
COMMUNITY JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Thapelo Magola
Lerato Mampa
Faith Mtwana
COMMUNITY MEDIA OF THE YEAR
Eastern Cape Rising Sun
Go! & Express
Guardian Report
Inner-city Gazette
BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT
Onius Mathule Moganedi
Lucy Human
Donovan Masombuka
Thandi Leeuw
Luyanda S Taboshe
Nkeletseng Tsetsane
Voting lines will officially open from the 10th of June 2024.
For all the information, keep your eyes glued on all the South African Heroes Awards social media platforms.
SA Heroes Awards 2024 Nominees’ announcement link:
The awards are an initiative of Kingdom Helpers of Africa in association with SA Positive News, sponsored by Mohlalefi Engineering and in partnership with Mosetsa Media.
By Sinenzolo Mondi
