City awards big achievers during council

Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza recognised three residents for remarkable achievements at last week’s council sitting.

The honorees, who excel in sports and law enforcement, embody the city’s commitment to celebrating excellence and community contribution.

The individuals honoured included Bayanda Walaza, a silver medallist in the 4x100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics; Mpumelelo Tshabalala, who secured the IBO World Championship boxing title this year; and Sergeant Keshi Mabunda, the lead investigator in the arrest of convicted serial killer and former police officer, Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu.

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Walaza and Tshabalala were grateful for the recognition and highlighted the challenges for athletes in Ekurhuleni.

Tshabalala (29) appealed for better training facilities and financial support for his boxing career.

“Boxing demands dedication and financial resources. Sometimes, we can’t afford to travel to competitions or buy proper training equipment. Despite these challenges, I remain passionate about representing SA.”

Tshabalala plans to defend his IBO world title in Japan next year, vowing to overcome the financial hurdles to bring accolades home.

Walaza also emphasised the need for tangible support for athletes, “The city promised to help us find funders and offer support. We need this assurance because we are not just doing this for ourselves but for the country.”

He added, “I’m humbled to be acknowledged by the city. This recognition inspires us to do more and motivates the city to support its athletes.”

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Mabunda, pivotal in solving the high-profile Ndlovu case, expressed gratitude for the honour.

“This recognition confirms that hard work and dedication pay off,” said Mabunda.

He encouraged his fellow officers to remain diligent. “Treat every case as if it involves a family member and follow every lead, no matter how small,” he advised.

Council Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga acknowledged the city’s struggles to provide full support because of financial challenges.

“The city faces difficulties because some residents are not paying their bills,” she said.

Tshivhenga added that fundraisers like the Mayor’s Golf Challenge aim to generate resources for bursaries and other community programmes.

The recognition ceremony underscores Ekurhuleni’s intent to honour local heroes and inspire collective action despite the challenges in resource allocation.