Polokwane Observer Editor receives two accolades

Last week ended on a high note for Polo­kwane Observer when Editor Yolande Nel was presented with two coveted awards at two separate events hosted in the city.
At last Thursday evening’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Pietersburg 100 that coincided with a visit by Rotary’s District Governor Maurice Stander, Nel received a Rotary Vocational Award from President of the club Horst Meyer. Meyer explained that the award is made globally to individuals who goes the extra mile in their working environment to be in the service of their communities. “By ensuring that the club receives more than enough cover in the media, Nel as leader of her team promoted our aim of service to the community,” Meyer said in the recommendation for the award and added that by creating awareness of the existence of Rotary, a community newspaper enhances participation in and support of the organisation’s projects by businesses and the public.
At the gala dinner of the Limpopo branch of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa) that was hosted on Friday evening, Nel was called to the podium again to receive a special award for her positive impact in the print media spectrum, with three decades in journalism and a decade of service as editor of Polo­kwane Observer. Nel was honoured together with three other female communicators of note at the function that was also attended by Deputy Minister of Communications Pinky Kekana, among other dignitaries. The theme of the event was ‘The strategic role of women within the Public Relations and Communications environment’ and very appropriate at the closing of Women’s Month.
Polokwane Observer manager, Santa Oosthuizen commented that Nel was most deserving of the accolades. “I have worked closely with her for nearly 14 years. Her work ethic and dedication to journalism is inspiring and has set the benchmark for her team and the publication.”

Story/photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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