Excellence its own award
The department of economic development, environment and tourism (Ledet) was named best service delivery team of the year at the Premier's Service Excellence Awards that were held at Bolivia Lodge on Friday.
POLOKWANE – The department of economic development, environment and tourism (Ledet) was named best service delivery team of the year at the Premier’s Service Excellence Awards that were held at Bolivia Lodge on Friday.
The department walked off with a trophy as well as a cheque for R50 000.
Premier Stanley Mathabatha said his aim was to recognise good efforts and teamwork.
He said he was impressed by the department’s performance as the province had shown an increase of 35% in international tourism since 2004, and a steady growth in domestic tourism in the previous year.
“The province recorded the highest growth in 2011 with R3,3 million tourist arrivals. About 23 000 sustainable jobs were created in this sector,” he said.
The department of roads and transport won the Best Support Team Award, and also collected a trophy and a cheque for R50 000.
In the category for Best Innovative Team, the department of roads and transport shared the spoils with the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs.
Mathabatha also handed a special award to Ntsundeni Ndou, the 2013 top matriculant in the province. His award and a cheque of R5 000 was received by Ntsundeni’s parents as he is currently in Cape Town.
More special awards went to locally-known crafter, Noria Mabasa from Vuwani, Polokwane City FC, and Grace Sekhu, who is wheelchair bound, yet still cares for her child who has Down Syndrome.
Polokwane City FC boss, Johnny Mokgaladi, said he intended to build a monument of remembrance for the four players who died in a car accident at Ga-Mothapo, Nobody two years ago with the money.
He said he had not expected anything from the premier’s office, and the award humbled him.
Mabasa said she felt great to be one of the recepients. She said the award would boost her morale, and she encouraged young people to take art and crafts up as a career.
