President’s award recognises outstanding youths

The President’s Award Program for Youth Empowerment is a non-profit organisation that focuses on individual development of its participants. There are three levels that young people between 14 and 25 can achieve: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

 

These awards are given to individuals who excel in three fields: community service, the development of practical skills, physical recreation. The participants must also complete a gruelling adventurous journey spread over the course over a few days and nights. Each level is more challenging than the last, with the final Gold level requiring participants to undertake a Residential Project in their community.

 

The award program started in South Africa at St. Andrew’s College under the moniker of The Gold Shield Award in 1983. In 1994, it was relaunched as The President’s Award for Youth Empowerment, with then-president Nelson Mandela as its founding patron.

 

The program has reached over 100 000 young South Africans and 30 000 young people in Correctional Centres since, and is now run in 120 schools, 70 correctional centres, 40 residential youth centres and 20 youth organisations across the country.

 

At the vibrant ceremony, Bronze and Silver awards were given to young people from eight Award Units, including ACVV Walmer (Port Elizabeth), Cathcart High School (Cathcart), the Department of Social Development (Port Alfred), Eluxolweni (Grahamstown), Enkuselweni (Port Elizabeth), Gabi Thembani (Queenstown), Nemato Change a Life (Port Alfred),  and the development cricket team, the Tiger Titans Cricket Club.

 

 “These awards celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of nearly 100 young people who overcame the odds. We are all so proud.” said  programme director, Roger Domingo, in his introductory address. “Today, we look around and see South Africa’s tomorrow.”

 

Sadly, Executive Mayor of Makana Municipality, Councillor Zamaxolo Peter, could not be present to give the official welcome. Filling in for the absent mayor was Makana Municipality Councillor Monwabisi Tame.”

 

These awards allow young people to realise that they have a critical role in society, and that they have the power to change their circumstances and their lives, and even the lives of those around them,” he said. Makana Municipality has shown its unhesitating support for the Awards, even sponsoring the venue and catering. 

 

Speaking about the 6-month process that goes into winning a President’s Award, Lindumzi Komle, head of The President's Award (TPA) programmes, sang the winners’ praises. “They’ve done astounding work,” he said. “Winning one of these is never an easy thing to do.”

 

The ceremony also saw testimonies being given by young people who had taken part in the program.  Butsha Ngani from Cathcart High School, a Bronze Participant, and Masixole Mkrakra, a Silver participant from the Tiger Titans Cricket Club, both spoke at length about how the program has changed their lives. 

 

Fondly known as “Hasan” amongst his team mates, Mkrakra has excelled in the President’s Awards, his noteworthy efforts eventually earning him the opportunity to speak about his experiences in front of 180 people (including Prince Edward) at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, where he received a standing ovation.

 

“Life in the township has little to offer young people – they get involved in drugs and bad things, and we don’t have proper role models. I was becoming one of those boys. The Awards have shown me that I can be a leader, a teacher, a helper and a positive influence in my community,” he said to resounding applause. 

 

With Dr Pemmy Majodina, MEC for Social Development, being unable to attend the ceremony, the keynote address was delivered by Masiza Mazizi, Senior Manager for Youth Development. Reading the absent MEC’s speech, he congratulated all the winners. “They have all done very well, and we must all applaud the President’s Award for unearthing such talents,” he said.

 

Finally the time came to hand out the long-awaited awards. One by one the students went up to receive their blazer pins and certificates from ceremony dignitary Nozia Majikija, Chief of Staff for the Office of MEC for Social Development. “I’m so, so happy,” said one Silver Award winner, Bongisani Maneli, clutching his certificate proudly.

 

Also given out was the Program Manager’s Special Award. This award was given to Gali Thembani of Enkuselweni Secure Care in Queenstown.

 

The closing congratulatory address was given byJanine Hansen, TPA Operations Director.  “There is nothing small about a changed life. It’s more than just a certificate,” she said.

 

Included in the event was the exciting President’s Award collaboration between seven members of the Grahamstown TPA Youth Committee and photojournalism students from Rhodes University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies. Using point-and-shoot digital cameras or camera-phones, the learners produced a large collection of photographs touching on issues ranging from life at school, to the care of animals. This work was exhibited in the City Hall. View the photostories here.

 

Ndileka Lujabi, one of the Rhodes photojournalism students who took part in the initiative, said that the experience was empowering and worthwhile. “It was rewarding, in the sense that you give someone a change to voice an issue close to their heart and experience it with them. Plus, I made a new friend.”

Those wishing to find out more, or who wish to participate in the program can get more information at www.thepresidentsaward.co.za