1Life proudly presents the Life Changer Award – nominate HERE!
This is the third iteration of the #1LifeChanger Award, but where previous awards were granted to people making a difference in their community, this time ‘round we wanted to recognise someone who has triumphed over hardship to turn their own life, and the lives around them, around for good.
Personal stories of overcoming adversity could include: "I couldn't read – last month I published my first newspaper article.' Or 'Doctors told me I'd never walk again – tomorrow I'm running my first marathon!'
The winner will receive a R50,000 cash prize, plus a further R50,000 to pay forward to a cause of their choice.
Our first winner in 2017 was 76-year-old Anna Dithane, a mother of five, grandmother to nine and a South African community hero.
A retired assistant nurse, her work in the community of Mabopane ranges from assisting the public with registering for social grants, helping the youth solve health issues, assisting with obtaining title deeds, managing a street kid/orphanage programme and collecting medication for the sick and elderly individuals.
Well deserved! According to this year’s criteria, Mama Dithane would still qualify, as she has overcome humble beginnings to do great things, but the individuals she assists with skills training would also qualify. Her Tshwane Empowerment Center teaches the disabled to do work with their hands, doing weaving, sewing and beadwork, so despite their physical situation, these people are changing their own lives.
In 2018, we honoured “Bra Moss” Moses Lehlokoa, who teaches the young and vulnerable people of Diepsloot about panel beating and fixing cars, thus providing opportunities to generate income. Of course, he'd still be in line because he's done great work with meager means.
And the mentor’s students, especially the young women doing a job traditionally meant for men – the ones defying the deep odds in desperate Diepsloot – qualify, as they’re triumphing over the daily hardships.
1Life proudly presents the Life Changer Award – nominate HERE!