WINNERS WAS ANNOUNCED ON 25 MAY AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY
Demonstrating its commitment to building a unified, inclusive and caring South African society, the Department of Home Affairs presents the inaugural SOUTH AFRICAN MIGRANTS AWARDS during Africa Month.
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 out country’s borders, contributing to the development of the African continent through their work in areas of need, all across the globe.
Hosting the SOUTH AFRICAN MIGRANTS AWARDS annually will also better improve the integration of migrants and foreign nationals within South African communities. This initiative is one of the key enablers for tolerance, social cohesion and integration in South Africa, while making a significant contribution to building a culture of African unity.
CATEGORIES
The South African public is encouraged to make a significant contribution towards creating a better society and building a united Africa by nominating a South African migrant who has made an impactful difference in their field of expertise, in 1 of the below 6 categories:
- ARTS AND CULTURE
- BUSINESS
- CIVIL SOCIETY AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION
- SPORT
- OR TAMBO
- MOST INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
ARTS AND CULTURE
This 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.
BUSINESS
This 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.
CIVIL SOCIETY/ NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION
This category honours an individual who works in civil society to advance the development of the community, thus contributing to a united and developmental South Africa.
SPORT
This category celebrates an individual who has impactfully used their role in Sport to unify communities and significantly contribute to nation building.
OR TAMBO
The 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.
MOST INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
This 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 the following details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or complete the form below:
- Nominator’s Name and Surname
- Nominator’s Email Address
- The Nomination Category
- The Name and Surname of the Nominee
- The Reasons Why the Nominee should be considered as a Category Winner
SELECTION PROCESS
Nominations close on 20 May 2015 and the winners will be selected by an esteemed panel thereafter.
WINNERS
There will be only one winner per category for the inugural SOUTH AFRICAN MIGRANTS AWARDS. The 6 winners will be annoucned during a recognition ceremony on Africa Day, Monday 25 May 2015. Each of the 6 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.
...AND THE 2015 MKHAYA MIGRANTS AWARDS WINNERS ARE:
ARTS AND CULTURE
NO WINNER
BUSINESS
Sephaku Cement - NIGERIA
Sephaku Cement is the first new entrant to the South African cement industry since 1934. Sephaku is a 64%-owned subsidiary of Nigerian company: Dangote Cement Plc, with their highly successful continental footprint and technical capacity leading Sephaku to develop world-class cement and ash production facilities in Southern Africa. The cement-producing facilities at Aganang and Delmas, as well as the ash production facility at Eskom’s Kendal Power Station, boast best in class power, coal and water consumption - establishing a precedent for environmental management. This innovation has also placed these three facilities amongst the greenest and most efficient Southern Africa has ever seen.
CIVIL SOCIETY/ NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION
MS Patricia Mudiaya - DEMOCRATIC REPULIC OF CONGO
Patricia Mudiayahails from the Democratic Republic of Congo and began an organization called KWESU, to support and empower Africans to live a life of dignity; to heal social isolation by building a sense of community between women, to allow for interaction, collaboration, support and companionship; and to assist women, particularly migrants, to integrate into South African society. Given the precarious position of women globally including in South Africa and the extent of gender-based violence and discrimination, grassroots activist Mudiaya and her organisation provide support to some of the most vulnerable people living in South Africa. KWESU is a small but growing organisation,expanding its footprint to assist fellow migrant women in need.
SPORT
William Okpara - NIGERIA
Orlando Pirates legend and Nigerian goalkeeping hero William Okpara arrived in South Africa in 1989. Since then, the man nicknamed The Godfather has given sterling service to the Sea Robbers. He played for more than a decade for the Bucaneers, winning two league titles. Most importantly, Okpara played a pivotal role in Orlando Pirates annexing the Confederation of African Football Champions League in 1995. He produced great exploits between the sticks for Bucs and graduated to goalkeeper coach. A one-team man, Okpara is loyalty personified and today serves the club as team manager.
OR TAMBO
MR Kabelo Herman Mphahlele - SOUTH AFRICA
Kabelo Herman Mphahlele is the CEO of Africa United for Long Lasting Development. AULDA is an NGO focused on building a united and educated Africa that produces quality future leaders. AULDA’s diverse projects on the continent also include: Humanitarian Interventions; Human Rights, Youth Development; HIV/AIDS Orphanage Homes support; Skills Development; Feeding programmes; Poultry; as well as Arts and Cultural projects.
MOST INTEGRATED COMMUNITY
Makana Community in Grahamstown
The Makana community in Grahamstown has found a way to integrate migrant entrepreneurs and local shopkeepers into a business forum. Agreements are made collectively, without violence, and all parties are compliant with regulations and by-laws. The forum was instrumental in ensuring that police action was taken in communities affected by the adverse treatment of migrant-owned small businesses. The Makana community in Grahamstown demonstrates that Africans working together as a united front can benefit whole communities – showing tremendous initiative and setting an example for us all, in rural and urban areas around the country.
