Local businesspersons realised that an exciting morning awaited when, upon arrival at the venue for the annual PMR.africa Awards, they were greeted by five lions on Friday.
The annual event salutes the business fraternity for service excellence in their respective industries. Among the recipients was Polokwane Observer who was honoured with the highest score in the province and a Diamond Arrow Award in the category for local newspapers.
This year’s event, hosted at a lodge on the outskirts of the city, saw businesses being awarded with Silver, Gold and Diamond awards depending on their scores obtained during the annual survey.
PMR.africa is a division of CJ Hattingh & Sons, a consultancy and research company based in South Africa. Chief Executive Officer Johan Hattingh reminded the audience that the awards were all about acknowledging staff, personnel and team. “We want you to return to your office and use the award to acknowledge and thank all your personnel and members of staff for their hard work and for contributing to a winning company or institution,” Hattingh said.
He added that the purpose of the awards was to create an opportunity and platform where PMR.africa’s coveted Diamond, Gold and Silver awards can be handed over to companies, institutions and individuals that excelled during the past year.
“There is a successful team behind each successful and highly rated company, department, institution or individual. The best leaders and bosses know how to motivate and empower without spending a dime. What really counts is showing appreciation,” Hattingh remarked.
Executive Mayor points out challenges, projects
Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng, the guest speaker, said in her address that better people generally create better societies. “If you are valuable in society, you are going to be valuable at work as well. You will be valuable in everything you do. But all of us have to be prepared with a good attitude and a good heart,” she said.
Nkadimeng pointed out that businesses have to be celebrated for the continuous difference they make in the economy. “As tough as it is, we have to work harder to keep our businesses thriving and to ensure that we contribute positively and in partnership to alleviate some of the challenges our country is facing. It is not all gloom and dark,” she remarked.
She referred to challenges faced by the Polokwane Municipality and emphasised that their focus was on addressing the stumbling blocks towards growth and development. “We are implementing concrete and funded projects to deal with the water and the waste water treatment challenges, the unplanned and uncontrolled settlements on land not belonging to the municipality and the state of our roads.”
She referred to the unplanned and uncontrolled settlements as a nightmare as it occurs on tribal-owned or privately-owned land. “Providing services to them will be extremely expensive for the municipality given their location which is excluded from the integrated spatial plan.”
Nkadimeng indicated that illegal land use is one of the biggest challenges. “This financial year we we have put aside some allocation for the appointment of service providers who will monitor illegal land use in the business and residential areas. They will monitor illegal structures, usage of residential properties for business and properties that are used for wrong purposes,” she said.
She referred to certain projects being planned such as turning the local game reserve into an eco-estate, an arts and culture hub as well as the opportunity around the airport for the proposal of a Special Economic Zone or industrial park.
Nkadimeng further indicated that elements of traffic congestion during peak hours coming from and to Mankweng and Seshego are presenting challenges that are experienced by bigger cities.
“We are initiating the Integrated Transport Plan this financial year. This is critical for future planning on mobility and movement of goods. We are about to embark on the Leeto la Polokwane Go Live. The first buses have arrived and all of them are ready to roll into the city. You will see them on the roads as part of training and testing the system’s integrated infrastructure,” she said.
In conclusion Nkadimeng called on people of Polokwane to take hands with the municipality in the journey to build a smart city.
Story and photos: RC Myburgh
