Twelve months of community goodwill will be celebrated in November when the Daily Dispatch, in partnership with Johnson’s — a brand of Kenvue, hosts its annual Local Heroes Awards ceremony.
The event, set for November 6 at the East London ICC, will see the announcement of 2025’s top 12 finalists, whose selfless contributions have made a lasting impact across the region.
Click here to book a seat or table or email bookings@dispatch.co.za.
The Local Heroes gala dinner is more than an awards evening, it’s a celebration of humanity at its best.
It’s a night where ordinary people take centre stage to be recognised for the extraordinary impact they have had on their communities and the hope they have inspired through their work.
The MC for the evening is veteran radio broadcaster Cindy Poluta, who has more than 25 years’ experience behind the microphone.
In a world where it feels as though only huge moments are celebrated or recognised, these awards remind us that ordinary people can create extraordinary change
She is sports anchor on Talk Radio 702’s Breakfast with Bongani, and also a team member on Anele and the Club on Joburg’s biggest radio station, 947.
Poluta also has a podcast called The Teen Junction, for parents and caregivers of teenagers navigating the adolescent years.
She is a life coach, lay counsellor and a mother of two.
“These awards are crucial in our society. In a world where it feels as though only huge moments are celebrated or recognised, these awards remind us that ordinary people can create extraordinary change,” Poluta said.
“Heroes and heroines walk among us with their everyday acts of kindness, compassion, and service that make communities stronger.”
She said attending events such as these always left one feeling filled with hope and gratitude for our beautiful communities.
“I’m also looking forward to just letting my hair down and having a good time with kind-hearted, inspirational people.
“I’d like everyone to leave the night feeling proud of the people being celebrated and encouraged to do the same in their own lives,” she said.
Being selected as one of the 12 2024 Daily Dispatch Local Heroes has been life-changing for East London community leader Lucille Benfield, whose work has since grown to incorporate those beyond her immediate neighbourhood.
Together with her husband, Neil, Lucille started the Vukani Embrace Faith and Hope NPO dedicated to healing, supporting and feeding the East London community.
Benfield said the award brought not just visibility but new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
“Having that award was a big thing for us, not only for exposure, but it allowed us to create more programmes and platforms to assist the team with different challenges they faced,” she said.
The recognition also helped attract crucial support from both the private and public sectors.
“We received a lot of help from East London, not only from private businesses, but also from government departments and other organisations. Collaboration has made a big difference for us,” Benfield said.
She added that the award opened doors to partnerships with organisations such as the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, Transnet, DaimlerChrysler and the department of agriculture.
“With this recognition, the community has rallied behind us; even those who were once hesitant now have more trust in our work.”
“People know we can do this job, and do it well,” she said.
Benfield expressed gratitude to the Daily Dispatch for highlighting their work.
“We want to thank [the Dispatch] for giving us a platform to express our love for the community.
“Without your exposure, people wouldn’t know the good work we do.”
Eastern Cape Arena Holdings general manager Ryan Megaw said: “The Eastern Cape is a province defined by both its potential and its challenges.
“Yet, we are fortunate to have extraordinary individuals who choose action over complacency, dedicating themselves to finding solutions to the needs within our communities.”
He said throughout the year, the Daily Dispatch had covered their stories, profiling 43 Local Heroes whose work uplifted the communities in which they operated.
The much-anticipated Local Heroes Awards Dinner will take place on November 6 at the EL ICC where the Top 12 Local Heroes will be unveiled. This powerful evening serves as a tribute to selfless dedication and extraordinary contributions that continue to transform the Eastern Cape.
“The awards ceremony is our most anticipated event of the year, a powerful evening where we showcase the inspiring stories of these selfless individuals and celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our community.
“And every year, attendees leave the event deeply moved and inspired.”
Guests will enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner, live entertainment, including a performance by Eastern Cape-born opera sensation, Ncumisa Garishe, and heartfelt moments celebrating the local heroes’ incredible work.
Daily Dispatch
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