SA honours achievers

South Africa has honoured the contribution made by those who have excelled in promoting the interests of the country on an international stage through the Ubuntu Awards.

“Dirco [department of international relations and cooperation] is honoured to shine a light on South Africans who have distinguished themselves,” said Dirco Minister Naledi Pandor, at the awards ceremony held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday evening.

“Many [achievers] are ordinary South Africans, who doextraordinary things,” Pandor said.

The minister said the nominees and award recipients have each championed the essence of the meaning of ubuntu, an ancient African community philosophy that speaks to having compassion for others.

“The essence of ubuntu is a stress on the oneness we share,” she said.

Popular South African musician Makhadzi was one of the nominees who received an award in the category of Arts and Culture Diplomacy.

She is known to many music lovers for her hit songs, Tshanda Vhuya and Matorokisi.

“Wherever I go to perform, I perform in my mother tongue,” an elated Makhadzi said.

She told SAnews that “music is her life” and that she loves entertaining people.

Another artist who received an award in the same category was Abigail Kubeka. The renowned Kubeka is a professional actress, film, television and cabaret star.

In the Ubuntu Economic Diplomacy category, the award went to Shoprite, which has over 500 stores and over 20 million shoppers across the continent.

In the Ubuntu Youth Diplomacy category, the award was received by Nsovo Mayimele, who is a pharmacist and lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology.