...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.