Final stage for Midlands Community Achievers Award Nominees

The final assessments to find a winner for Khulisa’s second annual Midlands Community Achiever Awards were made on November 17.

Preliminary judges, Barbara Elliot from the Lions Club and Veneshrie Chetty from Blackrock Casino, briefly interviewed the six nominees from the Midlands region, including Newcastle, Ladysmith, Estcourt and surrounding areas, to find the one achiever who went that extra mile.

The nominees for the award are founders and integral members of various crèches in the region. Nominees shared their stories, highlighting experiences, challenges and successes they encountered over the year.

“It is very difficult to choose a single winner; they are all winners in their own right,” said Ms Elliott.

Perseverance in facing obstacles, the positive effect of projects on the community, creativity used in making projects self-sustainable, and resourcefulness were traits which will serve as criteria in the selection of the winner.

Striving to alleviate social ills such as poverty and crime by the upliftment of communities, supporting and developing crèches in the area and awarding individuals behind successful projects, are in line with Khulisa’s aim to target and promote early childhood development as part of a broader social transformation system.

“These women are brave hearts fighting desperate circumstances and sacrifice a lot in their personal capacity. They love the children like their own; it is sad that funding isn’t spread enough to assist them more,” said Ms Chetty after interviewing the nominees.

The winner will be announced at the award ceremony at Blackrock Casino on November 26.