Girl, 8, honoured for aiding community
ASPIRING young Khayelitsha model Kwakho Mamputa, 8, was bestowed a Community Development award at the 2018 African Children of the Year Awards at the weekend.
The awards, which were the brainchild of 11-year-old author Stacey Fru, celebrate and recognise the contributions of Africa’s children towards motivating, growing and transforming its economy with the theme “Elevating the African Child”.
Held in Bramley, Johannesburg, the colourful event will be done annually after it was hailed a success by parents.
Stacey confidently handed over inaugural awards in the presence of excited parents, caregivers and guardians.
There were 11 winners, 22 runners-up and nominees aged between 6 to 14 years. The nominees came from different provinces and countries including Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Kenya.
The 8-year-old was among three other Western Cape children who won in the category of Philanthropy and Safety and Security.
Her overjoyed mother, Brenda Mamputa, said her daughter gave back to her community by helping in a soup kitchen and also inspired other children in the community to be goal-driven.
“I’m pinching myself because I still don’t understand how they (organisers) might have known about her and what she does. When I received an email that she was nominated I jumped at the opportunity and made ends meet so she would be able to attend. I wanted her to be motivated and inspired by other children from different backgrounds and cultures who were creating names for themselves.
“We are grateful to Stacey and the foundation for recognising our hard work and encourage them to keep on hosting the awards because they motivate our children, and us as parents,” Mamputa said.