Mhlaba Memela
Mhlaba Memela
Ukhozi FM will honour ordinary people who improve the lives of others through nation building.
The station's nation building concept is called amaQhawe Okhozi FM.
It is aimed at acknowledging and honouring selfless individuals or groups that have uplifted their communities.
Listeners have been encouraged since August to nominate their community heroes.
Mlamuli Nxele, Ukhozi FM marketing manager, said they were very excited about the overwhelming response they received for the initiative.
Nxele said they initiated the awards after realising that many people were doing positive things to uplift their communities, but were not recognised.
"The initiative is our contribution towards unearthing, celebrating and encouraging them.
"We are saying, do not give up," Nxele said.
"The award committee, comprising the station, sponsors and independent assessors, embarked on a vigorous selection process.
"Guided by a selection criterion, the committee will physically go through thousands of nominations to find the final five nominees per category," he said.
He said the committee would then visit the last five nominees in four categories to assess their projects.
The focus this year is business, youth in business, women in business, rural business and the physically challenged in business.
Nxele said: "We are now looking ahead to 2009, when another exciting element of the project called the Outreach Foundation kicks in.
"Together with our partners, we shall visit 11 districts conducting workshops aimed at providing information on skills acquisition, access to finance, information and markets."
He said next year they would be looking at social development, HIV and Aids, orphans, elderly and agricultural business cooperatives.
AmaQhawe OKhozi awards include the KE Masinga Achiever Award, premised on Masinga, the first black radio presenter, for his achievements and pioneering spirit.
Radio station to honour humble nation builders
Mhlaba Memela
Mhlaba Memela
Ukhozi FM will honour ordinary people who improve the lives of others through nation building.
The station's nation building concept is called amaQhawe Okhozi FM.
It is aimed at acknowledging and honouring selfless individuals or groups that have uplifted their communities.
Listeners have been encouraged since August to nominate their community heroes.
Mlamuli Nxele, Ukhozi FM marketing manager, said they were very excited about the overwhelming response they received for the initiative.
Nxele said they initiated the awards after realising that many people were doing positive things to uplift their communities, but were not recognised.
"The initiative is our contribution towards unearthing, celebrating and encouraging them.
"We are saying, do not give up," Nxele said.
"The award committee, comprising the station, sponsors and independent assessors, embarked on a vigorous selection process.
"Guided by a selection criterion, the committee will physically go through thousands of nominations to find the final five nominees per category," he said.
He said the committee would then visit the last five nominees in four categories to assess their projects.
The focus this year is business, youth in business, women in business, rural business and the physically challenged in business.
Nxele said: "We are now looking ahead to 2009, when another exciting element of the project called the Outreach Foundation kicks in.
"Together with our partners, we shall visit 11 districts conducting workshops aimed at providing information on skills acquisition, access to finance, information and markets."
He said next year they would be looking at social development, HIV and Aids, orphans, elderly and agricultural business cooperatives.
AmaQhawe OKhozi awards include the KE Masinga Achiever Award, premised on Masinga, the first black radio presenter, for his achievements and pioneering spirit.