Civic awards honours everyday heroes across Subcouncil 20

Sub-council 20 celebrated individuals and organisations driving positive change in their communities at a civic awards ceremony held at the Alphen Centre on Wednesday, June 18.

Ward councillors honoured local heroes for their outstanding contributions from crime prevention and environmental work to youth support and emergency response.

Subcouncil 20 chair and Ward 71 councillor Carolynne Franklin said it was a great privilege to celebrate the heart of the city, adding that Cape Town’s vibrant and enduring community spirit is what truly sets it apart.

“Those who were nominated, and those receiving these awards, understand this. They embody the profound sense of togetherness that binds us.

“They are the unsung heroes among us; neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers giving their time, working full 12-hour days and still showing up for neighbourhood watch patrols, animal welfare investigations, firefighting, and stepping up in extraordinary circumstances,” she said.  

In her ward, Ms Franklin said Kirstenhof Crime Watch's (KCW) first aid response deserved recognition for their tireless commitment and personal sacrifice. 

“Our KCW first aid responders who work throughout the valley have done a significant number of calls over the past year. Recently, there's been a significant increase in that, at all hours of the day and night. The members are all level 3 first aiders. And they are supported by our partners with intermediate life support, advanced life support, and emergency care practitioners,” Ms Franklin said. 

Tokai resident, Doreen Pears, was nominated for a civic award by the Tokai Residents Association. According to the nomination, Ms Pears has been a long-serving committee member of Tokai Neighbourhood Crime  Watch, in which she has held several portfolios, including interim chairperson when the previous incumbent emigrated.

“During this time she has selflessly organised several community events including, Tokai Road clean-ups, Tokai Library clean-ups, weekly community walk around the Tokai precinct, initiated the Friends of Tokai Library Working Committee, which has contributed towards upgrading the library facilities and she coordinates the monthly Tokai Library Craft Market, which generates Friends of Tokai Library.”

Asanda Mdladlamba, area head of Area 4.2 in the City’s recreation and parks department, was honoured for her teams efficient response to the storms of 2024, According to Ms Franklin they cleared over 22 fallen trees in Ward 71 alone, ensured roadways remained safe, attended to damaged properties, released power cables, without hesitation.

“Asanda doesn't manage from behind the desk. She's actively present in the community, visiting sites, facing challenges, engaging with residents, managing expectations, mine included, with professionalism and care. Her ability to balance operations, logistics, with community relations makes her an exceptional candidate for this recognition and for this award,” Ms Franklin said.

Lucinda Evans, founder of the Steenberg-based non-profit organisation Philisa Abafazi Bethu, was honoured for being a Khoisan warrior for the youth, for teenagers, for adults and those living on the margins of our society.

“This organisation has grown and flourished over the years and there are several multifaceted working divisions, including an LGBTQI safe house at the Philisa Abafazi Bethu Centre and two safe houses within ward 71 in Kirstenhof, one for women and one for children, between the ages of zero and 17,” Ms Franklin said.

Ward 73 councillor Eddie Andrews said the City’s official slogan was changed from “The City That Works for You” to “Making Progress Possible Together” in recognition that building a City of Hope required collective effort.

In his ward, Roger Graham, chairperson of Friends of Meadowridge Common, was honoured for “being instrumental” in the Bergvliet and Meadwordige area, in particular, in the removal of alien invasive species from Meadowridge Common. 

Mr Andrews also thanked Laurian Sachs for her contribution in mobilising and coordinating the Barbarossa-Hauptville constituents. He said Ms Sachs was very responsive in the community groups, in some way “holding down the fort, ensuring that together we make progress possible in the Barbarossa-Hauptville area.”

Desiree de Lange was honoured for her passion in ensuring that the Steurhof community realised its full potential regardless of circumstance. 

Mr Andrews said the Steurhof community was the most under-resourced pocket in the ward, with heightened levels of unemployment. He added that Ms de Lange, a 77-year-old pensioner, volunteered to be part of every committee that served the community.

Of Ward 62, Councillor Emile Langenhoven said Dr Rosemary Dallas of Alphen Veterinary Hospital was nominated for a civic award by a resident for her team’s exceptional service to the ward.

According to the nomination, her practice leads monthly donation drives for local and animal welfare groups, hosts adoption days with health checks for rescued animals, and teaches children to interact safely with animals.

“Dr. Dallas is a true asset to our community and highly deserving of formal recognition,” Mr Langenhoven said.

Gabriel Road Area Project Association, a civic organisation that has transformed “a wasteland of a public property into something more of a paradise, was also among those nominated. Mr Langenhoven thanked them for their dedication in bringing together the community, as well as looking after the less privileged.

Ward 63 councillor Carmen Siebritz said she had never witnessed such dedication to a cause as shown by the Plumstead Neighbourhood Watch.

“The NHW team has proven to be effective and efficient in Plumstead, and at times extending beyond their boundaries in assisting the neighbouring areas in the ward. Plumstead NHW is also the only watch in the ward fully equipped in terms of adding members who are not only patrollers, but medics, traffic officials, and more often than not, the first respondents to most of our incidents.”

Principal inspector Nelson Draai, of Law Enforcement, accepted a civic award on behalf of the bases in Ottery and Wynberg that serve ward 63. They received the award for being consistent, persistent and professional in their duties without fail.

Ms Siebritz said her ward was incredibly fortunate to have local artist, Mujahid George, be of service. 

He displays the true meaning of Ubuntu through entertainment and music. Volunteering his time, sharing his voice with everyone across the spectrum, and assisting families from disadvantaged social backgrounds, Ms Siebritz said.

Warrant Officer Heinrich Gordon was awarded a civic award on behalf of the Grassy Park SAPS Sector 1 team.

Mr Siebritz said: “As the team leaders, they are always willing to connect and collaborate, learn and grow. They are committed to their duties and always take ownership of the job. Warrant Officer Gordon and his team are known for being inclusive of all security forces and are always ready to teach and grow their NHW teams in their area of focus.”