“Last year on Mandela Day, when I launched the My Ward 38 Community Champion initiative I did so to encourage the community to get involved and make a difference in other people’s lives,” said Malcolm Maifala, councillor for Ward 38.
“Since the launch of the initiative, residents were allowed to nominate community champions who were announced every month. Today, at least seven of the champions have been nominated as a community champion in a specific month.”
The 10 champions were chosen for involvement in the community and their work towards making things better for their community. They were chosen more specifically for their contributions during the trying times of the pandemic and unrest experienced over the last year.
The My Ward 38 Community Champions for 2021 were:
• Dare to Care for its involvement in helping the needy in the community.
• Gary van den Heuvel for his work as the chairperson of the Brackenhurst and Brackendowns Residents Association and being a willing servant to the people of Alberton by providing support to local councillors.
• Animal Protection Network in championing the protection of animals. This NPO is a combined project by the Alberton community in providing shelter, unwanted and streets dogs, cats and other animals in need.
• Ethan Ramsaru who is constantly fighting to help provide young women with sanitary towels.
• Brackenhurst Clinic nursing staff who were on the frontline of fighting the pandemic. This recognition is also a symbol of recognising other healthcare workers in Alberton and the country at large.
• Brackendowns CPF who continue to work on the frontline, with the police, in keeping communities safe.
• Michelle van der Ryst who served the community in various ways, from ensuring the community is informed on events in the area to also playing an active role in community safety among other initiatives.
• Stephen le Roux for going up and above the call of duty to protect clients and playing a role in ensuring the community, and not just the clients of his security company, are looked after.
• Sgt Lindi Moloi who has served the community of Brackenhurst and Brackendowns over several years, and while she now serves in a different capacity she remains one of the prides of the SAPS badge.
• Capt Antoinette Foord who is not only a dedicated crime fighter in the community but also dedicates her time to being invd in the Animal Protection Network.
Outstanding contributors
In addition to the community champions, certain groups and people were recognised as outstanding contributors to the community. These are people who, through their roles, impact society.
• Fourth Dimension Security. Through Stephen le Roux, the company has identified a need in the community in protecting the electricity infrastructure. This follows a power outage that affected residents for close to 60 hours.
• Chantelle Habib. Chantelle continues to look for opportunities to serve the community through various initiatives. She also stepped up in arranging the community’s Bracken Family Day as well as clean-up days.
• Simphiwe Malunga and Roedolf Walker. Besides their work being to report news in the community, these two Alberton RECORD journalists continue to be where the community is.
• Brackendowns SAPS. While facing challenges constantly, the police remain committed to serving the community and through their work, they have actively fought a barrage of attacks on trucks and recent unrest.j
