The Lesedi Awards (with Lesedi meaning 'light' in Sesotho) is an initiative born from Momentum Metropolitan's Staff Volunteerism Programme (SVP) — which forms part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) mandate and recognises employee volunteers who are highly active in their communities.
Tshego Bokaba, CSI manager at Momentum Metropolitan, says that the 2023 awards set out to acknowledge the volunteers who, over the past year, truly 'showed up' for those in need, creating a powerful ripple effect through their acts of kindness.
"We may think that our good deeds are small or insignificant in the greater scheme of things, but the gentle flutters generated by these actions have the potential to gain momentum, becoming powerful winds of change," says Bokaba.
"The commitment of these volunteers, who we celebrate at this year's awards, makes a meaningful difference in their communities. Through this selfless giving of their time, skills or money, they leave the world a better place."
According to Momentum Metropolitan, in an unprecedented occurrence, a team — rather than an individual — was awarded the highly coveted Spirit of Volunteering accolade, which denotes the overall event winner. The Human Capital CSI team took home the gold for its work to uplift Blikkiesdorp through the Blikkiesdorp Community Project.
Partnering with the LoveWay Foundation and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, this dedicated team structured a three-year plan to uplift the community through a series of initiatives such as:
- the back-to-school drive
- setting up mobile libraries
- Women's Day celebrations
- hygiene courses, and
- a winter clothing drive.
"These events not only empower community members but also enrich their lives, having a significant and profound impact. The team's approach involved forging strong partnerships and respectful engagement through addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term change," Bokaba says.
"Human Capital CSI exemplifies the power of collective action and compassion. Their dedication to creating a brighter future for Blikkiesdorp is truly commendable. For these volunteers, it's not just about giving back but pursuing personal growth, changing mindsets and embodying deeper appreciation for community work," Bokaba adds.
The winners of the 2023
Lesedi Awards can be viewed
here.
The group says a wide range of causes was represented at 2023's Lesedi Awards, and the charities that were supported include:
- San Michell Independent School
- training4changeS
- Sri Sathya Sai Organisation
- The Aryan Benevolent Home
- Jesus in Action NGO
- The Marshman Foundation
- Sipho Sethu Art Projects
- Western Cape Sport Association for the Physically Disabled
- Musjid ul Osmaniya, and
- Polaris Soccer Team.
Jeanette Marais, the newly appointed Group CEO of Momentum Metropolitan, concludes, "What if each of us consistently brought our authentic selves to give more to the world than we took from it? Just imagine what that butterfly impact could be. Cynics will say that's too idealistic, but cynics don't create the future. Seeing the impact each of the finalists makes, I want to say: This is how we create the future."