Community stars applauded for their work

Chidalu Udeh (13) was one of the nominees honoured in the True Shine Awards 2021 for community work.

Chidalu, from Midrand, impressed by planning a mini-Olympics at her residence and was involved in her church’s programmes. Every Girl has a Dream, a Midrand-based non-profit organisation that empowers girls and women, hosted the awards event in President Park on November 6.

The event was sponsored by Avroy Shlain, a beauty and cosmetics company, which also provided gifts for nominees and guests, and a study bursary for the winner.
The three final winners from around the country were Sandy Hadebe, Hanna Mposhomali and Kegauketswe Matsetela

Sandy Hadebe, the overall winner, is the founder of the Movement Twenty15, a charity organisation focused on alleviating poverty, women and men empowerment and youth empowerment.
Hadebe said, “It’s wonderful to receive public recognition for something I have done, helping other people will always be a part of me.”

First runner-up was Matsetela, founder of Sons and Daughters of the Azania, a nonprofit that nurtures youth from rural areas and disadvantaged homes. She said, “A quote I live
by is ‘do what you can where you are’. I always try to do what I can for others.”

Second runner-up was Mposhomali who is the founder of H.Omali styling service and a member of Tirza Women Foundation which empowers women and girls by organising sanitary pad drives, among other things. She said, “I am overwhelmed, the award has definitely sparked a different kind of fire in me.”

Event organiser and founder of Every Girl has a Dream, Nonhlanhla Mdluli congratulated all the women and girls who received awards.
She said, “Keep shining and breaking boundaries and making a difference, remember not to give up on your dreams because they are not happening fast enough.”

Award-winning artist and mental health activist, Brenda Mtambo performed for the invited guests and nominees, and shared her personal journey with depression during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speakers invited to motivate and inspire the young girls and women at the event included broadcast journalist and TV anchor Cathy Mohlahlana, actress Pebetsi Matlaila, media
personality Evh’a Nteso and actress Mogau Mothlatswi.