Humble hero is an inspiration
Hundreds of learners participated in the annual Pick n Pay Hero Awards.
Iviwe Chiliza, a Grade 6 learner from St Patrick’s Primary School in Umzinto, was one of 27 learners recognised in the 2023 annual Pick n Pay Hero Awards.
The awards are for fostering excellence amidst adversity and inspiring community upliftment.
Winners were selected from over 1 000 primary school learners who participated in the programme throughout the year.
The Hero Awards programme is an embodiment of perseverance and inspiration which honours young minds who have demonstrated excellence in the face of personal challenges or have spearheaded transformative initiatives within their schools, among peers, in the environment or throughout their communities.
Learners are recognised by teachers and receive a Hero certificate and badge for their positive actions; this then accumulates in the annual Hero Awards where winning learners receive a share of R35 000 in Pick n Pay vouchers.
Apart from the recognition, the vouchers assist winning learners’ parents in purchasing clothing and stationery for the new school year or food over the festive season.
The competition had seven categories: courage, selflessness, kindness/caring, respectfulness, honesty, team player and environmental awareness.
Iviwe earned himself the team player award and received a R1 000 voucher.
Iviwe’s school stated that he has the qualities of a true leader and has helped the learners of St Patrick’s learn how to play chess, and challenged past convictions and mindsets that judge at-risk, rural learners as learners that cannot excel in chess.
Iviwe has championed for an inclusive practice at St Patrick’s where learners from all grades play chess through an outdoor mural that he has designed.
His humble nature and selfless actions make him a hero with a difference. He provided opportunities and changed the climate of the school through his hard work and determination, which showed how one can break the stigma surrounding rural schools.
“Every year, we have more heroes we can celebrate, which means greater positive impact in communities,” said Vaughan Pierce, executive for ESG at Pick n Pay.
“It is so important that our youth – ultimately our leaders of tomorrow – have other learners to look up to in their communities. These awards do just that and help inspire their peers to do good – whether it is at home, in school or in their community.”
“Teachers have seen how the Hero Awards programme improves behaviour and attitudes in schools by raising the importance of recognising acts of kindness and community-mindedness.”
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