Edwina Makgamatha receives her winning prize from MEC for Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mbali Hlophe
By Simon Manda
Photos by Thomas R. Chauke
The Gauteng Premier’s Office held the 2023 Women’s Excellence Awards ceremony, recognising women who have excelled in various fields across civil society and the private and public sectors at Birchwood Hotel on the 9th of December, 2023.
The Gauteng Women’s Excellence Awards took place under the theme “Accelerating socio-economic opportunities for women’s empowerment”.
The Awards seek to celebrate women who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, business, and their respective communities and feature women who have excelled in leadership business and those who shine and significantly contribute to the development of their communities.
The provincial government also recognised young women whose accomplishments position them as leaders in altering Gauteng’s social and business landscape.
Edwina Makgamatha, founder of Thusanang Enabling Support Services, took home the honours in the Women with Disabilities Award.
“Being recognized as a businesswoman in the excellence awards means my work has been seen and valued. I have made an impact and changed the status quo for people with disabilities by altering mindsets and narratives. It means I have made a real difference and left my mark, which is incredibly exciting and fulfilling,” she quipped.
“My message to other women is not to give up on yourselves or your dreams. Pursue what you believe in, even when it’s difficult. Open those businesses and push yourselves, knowing you can get there. It’s not easy, but it is possible—if I can do it, so can you.”
Makgamatha was also a runner-up in the Women in Business Award category. Her company provides services to assist disabled persons by seamlessly offering special medical consumables, caregiver training, RAF benefits, and motivational talks.
Itumeleng Mosupi of Zakhe Holdings and Nomasonto Grace Mazibuko, founder of Albinism Society SA and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, were runners-up in this category.
The Skills Development Category was won by Onyi Nwaneri, CEO of Africa Tikkun Services (ATS).
Her company provides the young and adolescent community with after-school programmes designed to improve the developmental years through adequate education, leadership, arts, sporting, career and personal development, specifically while still in the schooling system.
ATS runs 360° Social Support Services (SSS) for youth in vulnerable communities. Their social services programmes include education, family services, food security, healthcare, nutrition, and a dedicated empowerment programme for learners with disabilities and their families.
Nwaneri was also a runner-up in the Women in Leadership Category.
Commenting on getting recognition in the two categories, Nwaneri said,
“As the recipient, this prestigious recognition profoundly affirms my organization’s dedication to inclusive youth skills development. While our work empowering young individuals through training is noteworthy, enhancing opportunities for disabled youth remains imperative. True empowerment means ensuring every young person, whatever their background, can access growth.
Our vision now revolves around equipping all youth, including disabled youth, with professional skills to thrive amid evolving workplace demands. By promoting the participation of young people with disabilities in our programs and beyond, we aim to foster an inclusive future of equal access and opportunity for all.
Though we have made progress placing trained disabled candidates in roles, thanks to disability-sensitive corporate partners, there is far to go before inclusivity becomes a reality. We remain committed to pioneering innovations that breakdown barriers and tailor development initiatives accessible for all abilities and aspirations.
This award is not an endpoint, but fuel to our dedication. We will continue working to shape a society where the next generation, regardless of circumstance, can dream ambitiously, upskill dynamically, and contribute meaningfully.”
Tammy Greyling of Clothes to Good (CTG) was a runner-up in the Social Entrepreneurship Award category. Through the sourcing, sorting, up-cycling, and selling of post-consumer resources such as used clothes, shoes & retail apparel, CTG programmes synergise high-resourced schools, businesses, non-profit organisations, the public, people with disabilities and their families and people previously disadvantaged into a sustainable ecosystem.
Well-known businesswoman and disability rights campaigner Bernadette Rigney was part of the adjudicating team for the awards. Rigney is the founder of Fability- an organisation that drives inclusivity by breaking down barriers and empowering the unique voices of all abilities through marketing, media, collaborations, and advocacy. It tangibly builds understanding communities and a more progressive world where everyone is valued, celebrated, and heard.
“As the adjudicator, I was deeply impressed by the remarkable range of achievement and the inclusive spirit on display in the awards entries and ceremony. Recognizing disabled women alongside the incredible talent demonstrated across fields, the event shattered limiting stereotypes and barriers,” quipped Rigney.
“From my personal experience as a disabled person, I felt genuinely included and valued, which reflected the Premier’s Office’s real commitment to diversity as the province’s core strength. This reinforced my firm belief that embracing the unique potential within everyone, regardless of ability, is where Gauteng’s true greatness lies.”
The event was also graced by Members of the Gauteng Executive Council from Community Safety, Transport and Logistics; Health and Wellness; Community Safety, Economic Development, Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment; Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
