THE Daily Dispatch, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, honoured 12 local heroes at a gala dinner at The Venue@Hemingways last night.
The first-ever Local Heroes awards ceremony saw more than 400 people, including corporates, local business and politicians, come together to praise those making a difference.
Guests included mayor Alfred Mtsi, deputy mayor Xola Pakati and MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
The day started with a pamper session for the local heroes at the Park Place Boutique Guesthouse where beauty therapists from Beauty Academy International made sure everyone was red-carpet ready.
Nonkosi Ntloko, who started a school in Bongweni village near Cove Rock, was having the time of her life.
“I’m always wearing a hat because I don’t have time to do my hair, but today I have been forced to relax and simply enjoy being made look like a queen. My home for the day is so beautiful. Even though I haven’t been to heaven, I’m sure it looks something like this.”
The Local Hero campaign, in its first year, received nominations for about 50 candidates, and the top 12 were selected from a shortlist of 36, who were visited by the Daily Dispatch and assessed for what they do.
Daily Dispatch editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko said the aim of the campaign was to give readers hope.
“There is so much goodwill out there, and as a newspaper we should be the pulse of this community.
“These are stories that will leave a lasting mark in every reader’s heart.
“We launched it this year and we are already planning for next year’s campaign.
“We also want to acknowledge those among us doing extraordinary things for their communities, profile them and put them on a pedestal and we have been successful in that.
“The campaign has been well received and this is why one of the giants in East London, Johnson & Johnson, among others, have joined forces with the Daily Dispatch.
“They have embraced the campaign as these are not your normal stories about crime, corruption, death and destruction.”
J&J’s Michelle Williams said it was rewarding to be part of a campaign to highlight great and inspiring work done by caring citizens.
“The amazing stories – and the number of people that we have seen come forward and help or get involved since the stories began – has been so inspiring for us to see.
“We believe this is only the beginning, and we look forward to hearing how more and more people and businesses have started to help each other and make this world a better place.”
Williams said they wanted the campaign to create a “rain maker” effect – highlighting great works, raising additional support for the great work being done and encouraging others to get active.
Among the panel of judges, alongside Siqoko, to shortlist the 12 finalists were rural development and agrarian reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre director Dr Lesley-Ann Foster and former Daily Dispatch marketing manager Suren Packery.
Qoboshiyane said he was honoured and amazed by the efforts made by ordinary citizens to uplift their communities.
“There are really unsung heroes and heroines who, without any financial support or funding, make a difference through their creativity and passion for life and society.
“They have singularly contributed to make change.”
Foster said she was inspired by how people gave back to their communities with the little they had.
“I had no idea there were so many people out there doing what these people are doing. It was amazing – and selecting only 12 was very challenging.”
Billion Group executive director Mande Ndema, who was among the corporate companies to buy a table at last night’s event, said they wanted to be part of the ceremony after reading about how the local heroes had opened their homes and hearts to feed, clothe and educate the neediest within their communities.
“Billion Group is always cognisant of the impact, both negative and positive, that its operations could have on local communities and in this regard has been involved and made numerous donations to a number of important initiatives like these ones.”
App invites DD readers to vote
The Daily Dispatch’s 2016 Local Heroes campaign begins in January – with a difference.
As usual, readers will be able to submit nominations via e-mail, but next year’s winners, instead of being chosen by a panel of judges, will be chosen by Daily Dispatch readers with the help of an online app.
In a bid to include more people who want to nominate heroes and share stories, and for the stories to reach an even greater audience, the Dispatch, together with Business Connexion’s application development department in Port Elizabeth, created a new smartphone application (app) to enable readers to find out all about the local heroes.
At this stage, the app will be available only to devices that run the Android operating system via Google Play Store.
The Dispatch will upload their stories, videos and pictures and users of the app will be able to view them and vote on which one they think should be awarded the Local Hero 2016 title.
There will be a vote button with each story – but readers will only be able to vote for one favourite.
Senior Business Connexion software developer at David Mitten said: “As of early next year readers will be able to register or log in to vote for their favourite story.
“As a start this year’s top 12 winning stories can be viewed on the app. But voting will only kick in once new stories are published.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
OUR LOCAL HEROES: Samaritans’ turn to be pampered
The first-ever Local Heroes awards ceremony saw more than 400 people, including corporates, local business and politicians, come together to praise those making a difference.
Guests included mayor Alfred Mtsi, deputy mayor Xola Pakati and MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane.
The day started with a pamper session for the local heroes at the Park Place Boutique Guesthouse where beauty therapists from Beauty Academy International made sure everyone was red-carpet ready.
Nonkosi Ntloko, who started a school in Bongweni village near Cove Rock, was having the time of her life.
“I’m always wearing a hat because I don’t have time to do my hair, but today I have been forced to relax and simply enjoy being made look like a queen. My home for the day is so beautiful. Even though I haven’t been to heaven, I’m sure it looks something like this.”
The Local Hero campaign, in its first year, received nominations for about 50 candidates, and the top 12 were selected from a shortlist of 36, who were visited by the Daily Dispatch and assessed for what they do.
Daily Dispatch editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko said the aim of the campaign was to give readers hope.
“There is so much goodwill out there, and as a newspaper we should be the pulse of this community.
“These are stories that will leave a lasting mark in every reader’s heart.
“We launched it this year and we are already planning for next year’s campaign.
“We also want to acknowledge those among us doing extraordinary things for their communities, profile them and put them on a pedestal and we have been successful in that.
“The campaign has been well received and this is why one of the giants in East London, Johnson & Johnson, among others, have joined forces with the Daily Dispatch.
“They have embraced the campaign as these are not your normal stories about crime, corruption, death and destruction.”
J&J’s Michelle Williams said it was rewarding to be part of a campaign to highlight great and inspiring work done by caring citizens.
“The amazing stories – and the number of people that we have seen come forward and help or get involved since the stories began – has been so inspiring for us to see.
“We believe this is only the beginning, and we look forward to hearing how more and more people and businesses have started to help each other and make this world a better place.”
Williams said they wanted the campaign to create a “rain maker” effect – highlighting great works, raising additional support for the great work being done and encouraging others to get active.
Among the panel of judges, alongside Siqoko, to shortlist the 12 finalists were rural development and agrarian reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre director Dr Lesley-Ann Foster and former Daily Dispatch marketing manager Suren Packery.
Qoboshiyane said he was honoured and amazed by the efforts made by ordinary citizens to uplift their communities.
“There are really unsung heroes and heroines who, without any financial support or funding, make a difference through their creativity and passion for life and society.
“They have singularly contributed to make change.”
Foster said she was inspired by how people gave back to their communities with the little they had.
“I had no idea there were so many people out there doing what these people are doing. It was amazing – and selecting only 12 was very challenging.”
Billion Group executive director Mande Ndema, who was among the corporate companies to buy a table at last night’s event, said they wanted to be part of the ceremony after reading about how the local heroes had opened their homes and hearts to feed, clothe and educate the neediest within their communities.
“Billion Group is always cognisant of the impact, both negative and positive, that its operations could have on local communities and in this regard has been involved and made numerous donations to a number of important initiatives like these ones.”
App invites DD readers to vote
The Daily Dispatch’s 2016 Local Heroes campaign begins in January – with a difference.
As usual, readers will be able to submit nominations via e-mail, but next year’s winners, instead of being chosen by a panel of judges, will be chosen by Daily Dispatch readers with the help of an online app.
In a bid to include more people who want to nominate heroes and share stories, and for the stories to reach an even greater audience, the Dispatch, together with Business Connexion’s application development department in Port Elizabeth, created a new smartphone application (app) to enable readers to find out all about the local heroes.
At this stage, the app will be available only to devices that run the Android operating system via Google Play Store.
The Dispatch will upload their stories, videos and pictures and users of the app will be able to view them and vote on which one they think should be awarded the Local Hero 2016 title.
There will be a vote button with each story – but readers will only be able to vote for one favourite.
Senior Business Connexion software developer at David Mitten said: “As of early next year readers will be able to register or log in to vote for their favourite story.
“As a start this year’s top 12 winning stories can be viewed on the app. But voting will only kick in once new stories are published.” — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
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