Advice from a special citizen
THERE are some unexpected advantages to being named The Herald GM Citizen of the Year as last year’s winner, Rev Simon Gqubule, has found.
“I was at Greenacres, trying to sort out the iPad you gave me [one of the prizes last year] and the guy there said ‘I cannot charge you, you’re the citizen of the year’, so I didn’t pay,” he said, laughing.
Gqubule, 87, of KwaNobuhle was one of five finalists going into the gala round at the Athenaeum in Central last year. It was his passion for and dedication to education that made him stand out.
Gqubule founded the Ilitha Lemfundo Educational Enhancement Centre in 2007 to address the high matric failure rate. It has had a 100% pass rate two years in a row.
The octogenarian relies on donations to keep the centre – with its 98 pupils and 10 teachers – on the go. Chairs and monetary donations are most needed.
What would he look for in nominees if he were on the judging panel?
“Passion,” he replied after thinking carefully. “And motivation, what moves you to do what you are doing and what are the results.”
People living in the circulation area of The Herald, which extends as far as Mossel Bay, George, Graaff-Reinet and East London, can nominate a person or enter themselves.
For the first time, there will be a youth category open to individuals between the ages of 15 and 23 and – like those in the open category for individuals 24 years and older – entrants must contribute positively to the upliftment of their communities and build and maintain community projects that support the communities’ wellbeing.
The nomination form can be found in the paper or on The Herald website at www.heraldlive.co.za . For today’s form, go to Page 9. Nomination boxes are at GMSA, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Mandela Bay Development Agency, Kingfisher FM, NMMU Library North and South Campuses, Walmer Park Shopping Centre Info Desk, and Postnets at Greenacres, Metlife Mall, Sunridge Village and Humerail. Entries close on July 23.