“I thank God for giving me a disabled child as this enabled me to take care of other disabled children,” said Liziwe Gqotola at the Makana/Capitec civic awards ceremony at Noluthando Hall on Saturday.
She was the overall winner of the awards which according to Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana “are there torecognise unsung heroes and heroines”.
“I thank God for giving me a disabled child as this enabled me to take care of other disabled children,” said Liziwe Gqotola at the Makana/Capitec civic awards ceremony at Noluthando Hall on Saturday.
She was the overall winner of the awards which according to Makana Mayor Vumile Lwana “are there torecognise unsung heroes and heroines”.
Gqotola started Khanya Special Care Unit in 2004 where she cares for 11 disabled children between the ages of four and 10. She operates from Andrew Moyake Primary School in Fingo Village.
She won R10 000 for her tireless work in the Community Services category, while other the winners received R5 000 each. These were Sakhuluntu Choral Society and Lingam Diko in the Sports, Arts and Culture category.
Diko is an artist and theatre director based at the Egazini Centre in Extension Six. Speaking to Grocott’s Mail after winning the award, Gqotola said: “I am happy. The recognition gives me hope that people will be aware of the special care unit and will assist if they can.”
In the Environmental Conservation and Tourism category, Drs Fred and Sarah Gess won the award in
absentia. Municipal Manager Ntombi Baart said, “This is not a competition, these are awarded to those citizens who have done sterling work for the betterment of the community without expecting anything in return.”
Mayor Lwana said, “Sponsorship is one thing and partnership is another, we are grateful for the partnership
we have with Capitec Bank.”
He added that the awards are for those exceptional people “who have not been in the limelight but laboured behind the scenes in advancement of the municipality and sharing the spirit of ubuntu.”
Capitec representative, Trevor Lion said, “Capitec is part of the event so as to encourage citizens to be selfless and work towards the betterment of their communities.” The bank contributed R100 000 towards
a skills development course for the winners as a way of supporting and empowering them
