Debbie Dolphins Swimmings School wins award
NOORDWYK - Debbie Dolphins Swimming School in Midrand received a Merit Award at the 21st Annual National Awards banquet of the Hamlet Foundation, which assists 450 intellectually disabled children and adults, at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg.
The awards, sponsored largely by healthcare company the Clinix Health Group, celebrate the work and achievements of all the brave men and women who have triumphed in spite of their disability; and pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who have given their time so tirelessly to assist those with intellectual disabilities.
Candice Janse van Rensburg, administration manager at Debbie Dolphins Swimming School, said the school is thankful for the award. She added, “We are honoured to be part of serving the community, including people with intellectual disabilities, and look forward to the New Year when we start again.”
Guests who attended the event included the chairman of the board of the health group, Zanele Motlana; deputy chairperson of Hamlet Foundation, Sharon Marsay; and Dr Peter Matseke, chief executive officer of Clinix Health Group. The group’s marketing manager, Nosimilo Mabuza said, “Clinix is proud to be one of the main sponsors of this event. Nine years ago we saw the impact that the Hamlet Foundation was making in the lives of the intellectually disabled and knew we had to step in to provide support in any way we could. Through our sponsorship of this annual event, Clinix has had the privilege of hearing remarkable stories of the award nominees.” Speaking about the awards, the chief executive officer of Hamlet, Place of Hope, Segri Subrumuny, said, “These awards serve primarily as a vehicle to create awareness and promote the care and development of the intellectually disabled.”
Subrumuny added that, this year, funds were raised not only through ticket sales but also through the sale of paintings that children from the centre had created. All the funds will go towards the Hamlet Foundation. The foundation’s facilities include a school where children are taught life skills; a sports programme;, an adult residential centre, where residents live semi-independently; and an assembly and packaging workshop where intellectually disabled people earn an income and become self-sufficient.
The 2015 winners are:
- Â Challenge Training Academy Siyathuthuka
- Â Bridgette Benzile Kabini
- Â Debbie Dolphins Swimming School
- Â Thinandavha Samuel Maduwa.
The Outstanding Award winner was the Cape Mental Health Training Workshop Unlimited Life Skills Programme; and the President’s Award, went to the nominee who showed exceptional excellence, Caroline Jeanne Mignolet.
Details: debbiedolphins@gmail.com, Clinix Health GroupÂ
