Pretoria - Nominations for the inaugural South African Migrants Awards are now open. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the awards will aim at demonstrating the country’s commitment to building a caring, inclusive and unified South African society.
Unveiling the inaugural SA Migrants Awards in Pretoria on Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba: "The objectives of these awards include honouring and recognising outstanding migrants, residing in South Africa, who make an immense contribution to South Africa’s development in their various fields of expertise. The awards also acknowledge and celebrate South Africans who live beyond our country’s borders, contributing to the development of the African continent through their work in areas of need, all across the globe.”
Minister Gigaba said winners will be announced during a recognition ceremony on Africa Day on May 25 in Johannesburg. The Minister further encouraged South Africans to support the Migrants Awards and show their commitment towards creating a better society and building a united Africa by nominating individuals who have made an impactful difference in their field of expertise.
Categories
The SA Migrants Awards are comprised of six categories which are Arts and Culture; Business; Civil Society and Non-Government Organisation; Sport, OR Tambo and most integrated community.
The arts and culture award honours an individual who has made a significant contribution to the area of arts and culture in South Africa, promoting unity, tolerance, integration, and inspires progressive dialogue that enhances social cohesion.
The business category celebrates an individual whose business is aligned to the South African National Development Plan and encompasses the key focus areas of Economic development and Job creation.
The civil society and NGO category honours an individual who works in civil society to advance the development of fellow migrants, thus contributing to a united and developmental South Africa.
The sport category celebrates an individual who has impact fully used their role in Sport to unify communities and significantly contribute to nation building.
The OR Tambo category honours the prominent role of a distinguished South African working beyond the borders of the country to provide aid, particularly in areas of need, strife and during times of crisis and disasters, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu.
The Most integrated community category honours communities or individuals who spearhead initiatives that demonstrate the Spirit of Ubuntu towards migrants and foreign nationals by actively promoting tolerance, integration, unity and social cohesion.
Nomination process
To nominate, individuals are encouraged to send their names and surnames, their email address, the nomination category, the name and surname of the nominee as well as the reasons why the nominee should be considered as a category winner.
The Minister said the reasons that will include how the nominee has demonstrated meeting and exceeding category requirements that should be done in not more than 250 words.
All the nominations should be forwarded to SAmigrantawards@dha.gov.za before the closing date, May 20.
Minister Gigaba said an advisory panel will select one winner per category for the inaugural South African Migrants Awards.
He said each of the six category winners will nominate a charity of their choice to receive a cash prize of R100 000 as part of building an integrated, unified and caring South African society.-SAnews.gov.za
