Drakenstein citizens honoured
2006-02-16
THE past week witnessed the acknowledgement of 53 of the Drakenstein’s unsung heroes in a prestigious ceremony in the Paarl Town Hall.
This pioneering initiative was the brainchild of the outgoing Mayor, Herman Bailey.
Individuals from various sectors in the community, ranging from social development, sport, culture, nature conservation, education, health and youth were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the upliftment of the community as a whole.
The public could nominate individuals as well as organisations for awards that were made in ten categories.
In each, a person or organisation could be nominated for their contribution during 2005. Provision was also made in every category for lifelong awards.
The Mayor said there were a lot of people and individuals who were serving the community.
“We want to honour these individuals and organisations for the unselfish work they do in the interest of others.”
The recipients were:
Education - Sheryl Hendricks (Weltevrede Secondary, presidential award for excellence in education); Prof Attie van Wijk (posthumous), former rector of Huguenot College; Iréne de Waal of the Wamakersvallei Training Centre and Dennis von Willingh (New Orleans Secondary), presidential award for best principal 2005.
Culture - Dan September for the preservation of Saron’s cultural history over 40 years; Ivan Arendse, Paarl historian of Paarl; Dr Etienne Smit, Wellington’s historian and cultural conservationist; Pieter Strümpher, chairperson of the Old Mill Theatre Club in Paarl; Wellington Minstrels Union (50 years old); La Musique Arts School in Paarl (brainchild of the late Andrew Strauss); David Samaai, choir master and also world-renowned tennis player; Frank Pietersen Music Centre, renowned nationally and internationally for their sterling work.
Sport - Jackie Abrahams, president of the Boland Rugby Union; Patrick Ross, karate coach and founder of the Ross Sport Institute; Arthob Petersen, manager of the Springbok rugby team; cyclist Japie Green (posthumous) and tennis player Eddie Fortuin (posthumous).
Environment - the Friends of Paarlberg and Yvonne Weis (Paarl Bird Sanctuary).
Health - Karel Dampies (Cansa volunteer), Nurse Daleen Pharoah (midwife); Agapé Aids Support Group.
Tourism - Melinda van der Merwe, former head of Wellington; Gerhard Meyer (concert promoter on Paarl Mountain; Horst Frehse, former manager of Grande Roche Hotel.
Social Welfare - Lena Kroneberg (Wellington Association for the Aged); Dinah Smith (Gouda club for the aged), Nellie Johnson (educare); Rozella Davey (homecare), Tommie Goliath (volunteer at Drakenstein Hospice); Alice Kohlakala (Catholic Welfare and Development); Jannie Bosman for community development on his farm; World Vision Mbekweni (Christian relief and development organisation), Daniel February (community worker); Rocky Mafekeng (union organiser); Manus Pieters (co-ordinator of the Percy Bilton community centre for the aged at Saron); Rev Stephen Snyman (co-ordinator HIV/Aids campaign); Women on the Move (creates jobs for women in Carterville); Ikhwezi Community Centre (job creation); Violet Pietersen (posthumous, union organiser); Rev Abe Maart (community work); Miqlat (development and empowerment); John Martin (champion for human rights); Freddie Lackay (posthumous, Men for Christ and Transformation Africa).
Youth - Lezandré Joubert (biathlé athlete), Koinonia Youth Centre, Brenda Pagel (Paarl Junior Town Council).
Business - Tom Abrahams (visionary entrepreneur); Johan Pauw (developer); Attie Brink (vine cuttings industry); Boyce Godlo (Mbekweni businessman).
Media - Paarl Post; Radio KC.
The evening was concluded with three special awards conferred by the Mayor.
The first was made posthumously to Morris Friedling, the founder of Berg River Secondary.
Two international awards went to Dr Ken Huat Lim, developer of Pearl Valley, and Jürgen Langen, who has been actively involved in public relations work between Germany and South Africa since the mid-eighties. He is the the CEO of the German Afrika Foundation.
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