The late former mayor of Springs, Aunty Nyathela, was honoured and celebrated as an unsung hero at the ninth annual Vita Basadi Awards at a gala dinner in Johannesburg.
The awards were the brainchild of the Gauteng Legislature speaker, Ntombi Lentheng Mekgwe.
This event was part of the speaker’s annual Women’s Month programme to honour women who positively impacted their communities through interventions and creativity.
They aimed to recognise excellence by Gauteng women in various fields and act/s of service to destitute and disadvantaged people.
ALSO READ: After the quarter-finals, who will make it to the semis?
Nyathela, nominated by ambassador Pule Malefane in the category of unsung legend, took first runner-up (posthumously).
Malefane said Nyathela’s relentless commitment to serving the people of greater Springs and the surrounding areas motivated him to nominate her.
“For me, it is a fitting tribute to this gallant fighter of our liberation struggle, whose contribution will forever nurture the tree of liberation and inspire future generations to strive to build a country that we can all be proud of,” he said.
Her son, Banele Nyathela, spoke on behalf of the family when he received the award in her name. He did not hide his excitement at this honour, saying, “We, as the Nyathela family, thank the speaker, Mme Ntombi Mekgwe, and the Gauteng Legislature for the award and recognising the role our mother played in empowering women in our community and serving humanity with distinction.
ALSO READ: Hijacked white Toyota Agya recovered at car wash in Kwa-Thema
“We know there are other women who worked with her to fight ignorance and women’s emancipation, and this award is received on their behalf”.
At the gala, Mekgwe said the legacy of oppression weighed heavily on women.
“As long as women are bound by poverty and as long as they are looked down upon, human rights will lack substance. As long as outmoded ways of thinking prevent women from making meaningful contributions to society, progress will be slow,” she said.
Mekgwe added that she dedicated this Annual Vita Awards to the enduring spirit of the strong women of our country and our province who walked the difficult path of the struggle to free our country from oppression and racial segregation.
