Thursday, October 24, 2024

Lenasia very own receives the Civic Leaders award

On Monday, October 14, 2024, Khalil Ahmed Mohamed, one of Lenasia's own community activists, received the civic leaders accolade from Accountability Lab South Africa at the Gordon Institute for Business Science (GIBS). 

Members of the community nominated him because they thought he should be given this honour. Mohamed's commitment to serve the people with diligence and integrity has earned him recognition not only in Lenasia but throughout the nation. 
There were two categories the Civic Leader award and the Integrity Icon Award. 
Mohamed was the overall winner in the category of the Civic Leader award which was the people's choice, and Seargent Thando Kodwa from Eastern Cape was the people's choice in the Integrity Icon Award.
Accountability Lab launched the Integrity Icon awards in South Africa in 2018 as a part of a global initiative to honour truthful public servants that began in 2014. 
Mohamed a Contributing Editor for the Lenasia @ Glance feature publication said; “I'm truly honoured to have been chosen as the People's Choice Award winner. It’s humbling to know that the community values the work I’ve done. This recognition isn't just mine; it belongs to everyone who supported me.”

He added that the Accountability Lab Integrity Icons Civic Leader Award celebrates individuals who have shown exemplary leadership in serving their communities with integrity and dedication. It recognizes those who inspire change, led by example, and work tirelessly for the public good, encouraging transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Mohamed explained that the out of 425 public entries, two of us were selected for the Civic Leader Category. Three of the five competitors were in the Integrity Icons Category. Voters had the opportunity to select their preferred Civic Leader and Integrity Icon during a month-long public voting period. 
“This award shines a spotlight on the importance of integrity and active leadership in our community. It inspires others to get involved, to lead with honesty, and to become advocates for positive change. By highlighting these values, it motivates more people to take action and become active citizens, which in turn strengthens the fabric of our society,” he stated.

Mohamed ended with saying he would like to extend his deepest gratitude to everyone who voted for me and believed in me. This award is a testament to the power of community and what we can achieve when we come together. He encourages everyone to continue being active citizens, stay engaged, and work towards building a future we can all be proud of. Let's keep moving forward together, with integrity and purpose. 

Deekay Ndoni- Programs Officer for Integrity Icon Campaign/Accountability Lab South Africa speaking to the publication said: “The campaign aims to recognize and celebrate individuals who exemplify integrity in public service, shining a light on their positive contributions. By highlighting these community heroes, it seeks to inspire a culture of accountability and integrity across the country, motivating others to follow in their footsteps and ultimately driving systemic change.”

She expressed her gratitude about the awards how incredibly inspiring for the people of SA. The awards serve as a reminder of the powerful impact that honest and dedicated individuals can have within their communities. It’s heartening to see positive role models being celebrated for their work, and it reinforces the importance of integrity in public service.
Ndoni explained that anyone can nominate a person for the Integrity Icon awards, whether they are community members, colleagues, or family members. Nominations are open to the public, ensuring that everyone has a voice in recognizing those who exemplify integrity.

“Nominees must be public servants who demonstrate a strong commitment to integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior in their work. They should have a track record of positively impacting their community or the people they serve, and their actions should inspire others. Additionally, nominees should be working within South Africa’s public sector and should exemplify a dedication to transparency and public service excellence,” she ended.

The five competing winners hailed from Lenasia, Ennerdale, Diepsloot, Makhanda and Indwe in the Eastern Cape.  
The winners were:
1. Chantal Chetty (Ogle) - A Civic Leader - Founder of Lovechild Media F & P in Finetown and Ennerdale, Gauteng.

2. Khalil Ahmed Mohamed - A distinguished Civic Leader and community advocate in Lenasia, Gauteng.

3. Sr. Portia Mtshali - An Integrity Icon and professional nurse at OR Tambo Community Health Centre in Diepsloot, Gauteng.

4. Thando Kodwa - An Integrity Icon and Sergeant at the Indwe police station in the Chris Hani district, Eastern Cape.

5. Ntombenkosi Dyani - An Integrity Icon and Agricultural Advisor at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.
 

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