In just two weeks, the Eastern Cape’s unsung heroes who go beyond the call of duty to positively impact their communities will receive their flowers at the Daily Dispatch’s Local Heroes awards.
The awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on October 26 at the East London International Convention Centre where 12 individuals will be named this year’s local heroes.
Hosted by Carte Blanche host Claire Mawisa, the ceremony is set to give the 12 finalists for 2023 an opportunity to highlight their work.
The finalists were selected by an adjudicating panel from scores of entries from unsung heroes across various fields including education, sport, arts and health.
The annual awards return with headline sponsor Johnson’s — a brand of Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health), alongside SPAR and Vodacom4U, Vincent Park, Link FM and Gussie’s Gifting and Stationery.
Mawisa said she looked forward to hosting the night’s proceedings and playing a part in highlighting regular South Africans’ patriotism.
“I have travelled quite frequently to the Eastern Cape in recent times, unfortunately to report on heavy stories about violence, corruption and poverty.
“It will be refreshing to return so that I can talk about, and engage others, on much lighter, more positive stories about the transformative work being done by ordinary South Africans.
“These are the individuals that will change our country for the better, and they need to be acknowledged and celebrated,” she said.
Mawisa said it was important to share stories of hope that restore the public’s faith in humanity
“In the work that we do at Carte Blanche, we come across countless stories of hopelessness and despondency in our country.
“People are living under difficult circumstances, are being taken advantage of, or are just not getting the help they so desperately need.
“It is for this reason that it is important to also find stories that restore our faith in humanity, because they are there,” she said.
“I love this country. I have to be hopeful about its future.
“Local Heroes is testament to the fact that patriots still exist, and that there are good human beings that are living the philosophy of ubuntu, even in these tough times.
“These are the individuals that will change our country for the better, and they need to be acknowledged and celebrated.”
— Claire Mawisa
“The nominees are the light at the end of this very dark tunnel.”
The awards evening is open to the public at R650 for a ticket and R6,500 for a table booking.
Tickets are available until October 19.
Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner: a creamy butternut and coriander soup served with crusty baguette slices for starters, oven-baked chicken breast filled with spinach and feta cheese served with stir-fry vegetables and roasted baby potatoes topped with a creamy peppadew sauce for mains, and a lemon cheesecake with cinnamon-scented orange sauce for dessert.
Guests will also watch professionally shot profile videos of the finalists.
The formal do will start at 6pm.
To book tickets, contact bookings@dispatch.co.za.
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