Tata Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the founding President of a democratic South Africa on 10 May 1994 and Aganang Local Municipality on Friday, 10 May 2013 held the 11th Annual Achievers Awards to coincide with the 19th year since his inauguration. The awards held at a packed municipal hall, corner Gilead and Knobel road was aimed to reward and honour citizens who continue to excel in various fields within Aganang Local Municipality and South Africa.

The awards were bestowed in categories like Sports person of the year, best in Arts and Culture, Kwankwetla, Best Emerging Entrepreneur and Community builder. The Sports person of the year award went to female 800m athlete and London 2012 Olympics Silver medalist Caster Semenya whilst the Kwankwetla award went to former anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist Tlou Theophilus Cholo. This award is bestowed to somebody who was born in one of Aganan s 105 villages and continues to put the municipality on the global map through their deeds. Previous winners in this category include South African Reserve Bank Deputy Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, former Airports Company South Africa and current board Chairperson of the Industrial Development Corporation Monhla Hlahla, Free Kiba musician Dr Sello Galane and former North Gauteng Judge President Bernard Ngoepe.

Municipal Driver and Messenger Mr Jack Legodi walked away with the Mayor s Special award for his commitment and reliable long service to the municipality. Legodi started working for the municipality under the then Maraba/Mashashane/Maja/Chuene Transitional Local Council. He said it is gratifying to be recognised for his commitment to the municipality over the years, more so to be acknowledged in front of multitudes.

The best in Arts and Culture award went to Mrs Maria Mashiane from Jupiter, Ga Mashashane who does pottery, beading and weaving whilst the Community builder award was presented to Ms Pinkie Lebese of Mphatlalatsane Drop-in centre. The drop-in centre started in 2006 at Lepotlako village, Ga-Maraba and volunteers care for orphans. Mashiane said the award will encourage her to work harder in order to preserve her culture and generate income for herself.

After receiving the best Circuit award, Mrs Dikeledi Mthimkhulu, Mogoshi Circuit Manager borrowed from South Africa s former President Dr Nelson Mandela when she said, Life is not determined by what we have, what we have achieved, positions we have held, how many degrees we have acquired, types of cars we have driven. What counts in life is how much we cared and how much we served. Time will come, when we are going to be judged by not what we had or possessed but by the service we have rendered . All awards recipient walked away with trophies and certificates as a token of appreciation for their hard work.

When delivering her keynote address Her Worship Mayor, Cllr Maria Mokobodi congratulated all awards recipients and encouraged formation of community projects in order to generate income and counter unemployment in the light of the 25.2% unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2013 as per Statistics South Africa s Quarterly Labour Force Survey. The municipality s 2013/2014 Integrated Development Plan will also put focus on projects which seeks to address creation of decent jobs, one of our government s five priorities. We are proud to be a home to such a highly respected person in the form of TT Cholo. We wish all well, drive safe, don t drink and drive and remember speed and AIDS kills. Her Worship Mayor,Cllr Mokobodi also acknowledged the presence of her guest of honour, Nare Mokonyama from Ambergate Primary School in Ngwanallela. Mokonyama is a potential athlete who continues to shine at various National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships.