Preparations are under way for the long-running and highly respected Community Builder of the Year Awards.

Preparations are under way for the long-running and highly respected Community Builder of the Year Awards.

These awards - which are a part of the youth and community development activities of the Aggrey Klaaste Nation Building Foundation - are sponsored by Old Mutual, the SABC and Sowetan.

Through this programme the sponsors and organisers - including the nine provincial Social Development Departments - seek to recognise men and women who unselfishly give of their time and talent to improve the quality of life for others in their communities.

These awards highlight how volunteers' efforts serve to motivate and inspire others to become part of the nation-building process.

Twelve finalists - three each from the youth, adult, senior and group categories - are selected from 36 provincial winners. Category winners are selected from these 12 and the overall national winner is then selected from the category winners.

Maria Visagie of Northern Cape was the overall winner in the senior category and the competition's overall winner. The other section winners were adult category winner Zalisile Sweet Mama Marwanqana from Eastern Cape; youth category victor Daniel Mashimbye of Limpopo; and group category Jacobus Pansegrouw of Western Cape.

A few weeks ago, the sponsors, organisers and provincial coordinators met in Johannesburg to map out the finer points to ensure a smooth run-up to the gala event in Johannesburg in November. It was a productive and successful affair.