Local Heroes

Local Heroes

Time to nominate 2024 Local Heroes

It time once again to celebrate community philanthropists and developers for their commitment to ploughing back without expecting anything in return.  Local changemakers ...

Local Heroes

Girls just wanna have fun — and be safe

Residents of Zola township in Bathurst initially found it unusual to see more than 30 young girls gathered at a house, dancing or playing life ...

Local Heroes

Former teacher helping others after losing eyesight in classroom ...

A former Qonce teacher who lost his eyesight in a freak classroom accident 22 years ago has overcome the tragedy through helping others with similar ...

Local Heroes

Unsung hero feeding Egoli’s children

Local hero nominee Markum Lewis, 50, gives his all to the children of Egoli, including his birthday.  On August 3, he will once more create a street bash for the hundreds of people he feeds alongside his family, as the Lewis Foundation, founded ...
Local Heroes

Komani teen’s flower fundraiser blossoms for ...

Komani teenager Joanna du Toit sold 500 bouquets of flowers from her family farm, raising R16,000 towards food, toys and supplies for the Home of Joy orphanage in Makhanda. Local businesses rallied to support the Home of Joy Project, with ...
Local Heroes

No cat or puppy too ill or feral for intrepid East London trio

“No-one wants to handle them or go near them.”  For years, three women have been dedicating their lives to saving ...

Local Heroes

Caring woman brings smiles to needy of Makhanda

“She brings great light to all those she visits.”  Local Hero nominee Nobesuthu Felicia Nkatazo, 45, from Makhanda, ...

Local Heroes

Southernwood woman’s home has become a beacon of hope

Moved by the struggles of her community, a 52-year-old East London woman has opened her heart and home to provide ...

Local Heroes

Artist helps bridge the gap for young talent

Solomzi Mjayezi is using art to develop the province’s youth. Growing up in eMambendeni, a village alongside the ...

Local Heroes

Sunnyridge woman tackles drug abuse and crime and also fills potholes

At the age of six, Donita Theron witnessed her mother battling drug addiction. Now the 29-year-old businesswoman ...

Local Heroes

Author Inga Kabane heads project to restore Butterworth High School

Now a self-published author raising her own family, a Butterworth High School alumnus was taken aback when she ...

Local Heroes

Pefferville’s Nastassja Koklin helps keep hunger at bay for the needy

  Touched by the poverty levels in Pefferville, Nastassja Koklin provides hot meals for those in need.  Three times ...

Local Heroes

Children’s right activist seen as pillar of hope in Pefferville community

In the East London community of Pefferville, Geraldine Ruiters, 56, is a beacon of hope.

Local Heroes

Rhodes arts graduate a beacon of hope in rural Hokwana village

Mziwonke Qwesha, 64, who retired and set up an arts organisation in a rural area near Qonce, has provided a home from ...

Local Heroes

Luvuyo Bangani’s passion for rugby helps his Mxaxo village team thrive

Passionate, selfless and determined are the words that describe Luvuyo Bangani, who is committed to eradicating ...

Local Heroes

Sinoxolo Fama on a mission to get children to love mathematics

Sinoxolo Fama has created an after-school programme that benefits more than 300 pupils from Ndevana village in Qonce.

Local Heroes

Unemployment hasn’t stopped caring woman from assisting community

What started as a small passion project by five friends in Mdantsane has made a positive impact on the lives of many ...

Local Heroes

Clarendon teenager has a passion to help struggling communities

A 15-year-old Clarendon pupil who aspires to run a nonprofit organisation one day to help those in need has hit the ...

Local Heroes

A smile on someone’s face is enough reward for community worker ‘MaDabane’

After losing her job due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Anelisa Mdyogolo found another way of keeping herself busy — ...

Local Heroes

Local heroes have a simple motto — love heals

Whether it is feeding the poor and hungry or watching couples walk down the aisle, nothing gives more joy and ...