Emily Mabasa [24] winner of the Presidential Gold award is off to South Korea next week where she will engage with winners from 153 other countries and have a chance to win other prices.
The award is given annually by presidents of participating countries to youths between 14 and 25 years who have achieved outstandingly in aid of others.It was started by the English monarchy in 1956. Former late President Nelson Mandela adopted it in 1994 with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Alex News’ addition of 25 April broke the news of Mabasa’s achievement in Alex girl in line to receive more awards.
An excited Mabasa said she was looking forward to engage with other medalists and to bring back newly acquired skills in the art of selfless work. She will be joined by another winner of the latest award they received from President Jacob Zuma early in the year. The winners are chosen for their volunteer work, self reliance and are tested for endurance through a range of tasks which earn them silver, bronze and gold awards.
Mabasa, who is physically challenged, succeeded in all tasks including mountaineering, long walks and other chores which able-bodied contestants failed to overcome. The bronze and silver tasks took six months and the gold lasted a year.
Mabasa credited her humble beginnings and strong family support for her spirit of caring and for her sense of community. They developed her desire to achieve despite physical challenges. They motivated her to volunteer at nursery schools and to achieve well in school where she also won awards for dancing and other extramural activities.
Mabasa said for the gold she had to raise R10 000 for the plane ticket, which she surpassed by R3 000 through donations and sales of bead work she made from skills learnt at school. She has saved the excess amount for her pet project, a youth skills training centre she plans to develop in Alex. “The centre will train students on candle and soap making, bead work, carpentry and other technical skills.”
Mabasa thanked Linda Twala, a local philanthropist, for motivating her and Fleetmatics, her employer, for their generous donation. Mabasa also commended Alex-born Paul Mashatile, former minister of Arts and Culture, for ensuring the awards were conducted.
She will be in Korea for two weeks from 21 October to 4 November.
Details: Emily Mabasa; 084 445 3677
