Celebrating the children’s resilience, creativity, and commitment throughout the year, the Phoenix Alexandra Organisation hosted their year-end awards ceremony at the Alex-SanKopano Community Centre on November 22.

Read more: Phoenix Alexandra Organisation celebrates Alexandra’s children with an awards ceremony

The event stood out as a well-needed reminder that every child’s effort, whether in academics, sport, or the arts, deserves recognition.

Alex children who dedicated themselves to Phoenix sessions throughout the year were recognised with medals, trophies, and certificates. Several received multiple awards across different categories, highlighting the wide range of programmes the organisation now offers.

“We started off teaching children about dance and different choreographies. Then, gradually added poetry and the spelling bee,” explained founder Emily Mabasa.

She explained that the recognition was not limited to academic achievement. Phoenix acknowledges that many children excel in sport or the arts rather than in the classroom. “We combined literature and art to create an organisation that caters for both. That is why Phoenix Alexandra exists, and why we have so many categories for the children’s awards.”

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She emphasised that while academic ability is important, children who face difficulties with schoolwork often flourish in creative or athletic pursuits. For this reason, the organisation invests in both areas, promoting inclusive development.

As the year comes to an end, the awards celebrated the children’s dedication to personal growth. “Throughout the year they kept showing up for themselves. Today they received certificates for that dedication. They were unlearning the things they had picked up before, and embracing the new values and skills we teach them.”

Deciding who deserved which award was not easy. “We love all of them, but we had to be fair. They know kindness and fairness is what we rule on at Phoenix Alexandra. That is why you did not see any of them upset – because they know what they worked for.”

The ceremony emphasised that achievement is not the only measure of success. Effort, perseverance, and hard work were equally valued.

Supporters Nkululeko Hlatshwayo and Brighton Dzere were also honoured with certificates for their ongoing commitment. “We recognised the difference Emily makes for these children, so we decided we could not just sit back and do nothing,” Hlatshwayo said.

Dzere urged residents with greater means to step forward and support Mabasa’s work. “Whether it is money or a safe space where these children can flourish, help Emily. That support could change even more lives.”

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