4 KZN primary school pupils recognised as everyday heroes
Four KwaZulu-Natal youngsters – from Phoenix, Chatsworth, Pietermaritzburg and Umzinto - are among five pupils who have been recognised for fostering excellence amid adversity and inspiring community upliftment in the 2023 annual Pick n Pay Hero Awards.
The winners were selected from more than 1000 primary school pupils who participated in the Hero Awards programme throughout the year.
The programme is an embodiment of perseverance and inspiration that honours young minds that have demonstrated excellence in the face of personal challenges or have spearheaded transformative initiatives within their schools, among peers, in the environment, or throughout their communities.
Those who received the awards were Luyanda Banele Madondo, a Grade 7 pupil from Esselen Heights Primary School in Phoenix; Abenathi Msomi, also a Grade 7 pupil from Evergreen Primary School in Chatsworth; Honesty-Olonathando Nzama and Lonathemba Simelane, Grade 4 pupils from the Union Park Primary School in Pietermaritzburg; and Iviwe Chiliza, a Grade 6 pupil from St Patricks Primary School in Kimberley.
Luyanda’s award was for his kindness and caring when he rendered assistance to a fellow pupil who had been knocked over while waiting for transport. He received a R5000 voucher.
“One afternoon after school, Luyanda was awaiting his transport home. When their taxi arrived, four-year-old, Aphelele, ran across the road without looking and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. Luyanda threw down his school bag and ran to assist her, speaking in calming tones. He did not leave her side for a moment; a commendable trait for a first respondent.
“Aphelele’s siblings (aged 10 and 13 years) were in a state of shock. Luyanda also comforted them saying that everything was going to be all right. When a few educators, the principal, the police and medical services arrived on the scene, Luyanda left for home, knowing the child was now in the care of adults,” read the accolade statement.
Abenathi’s award (R2500 voucher) was for his selflessness and putting others first.
“Abenathi is a kind, gentle, humble child with an interest in, and love for others. He is known as a gentle giant, among friends, first for his size and for his nature. When school is dismissed, learners congregate to take buses and taxis in a crammed-up space. In the resultant rush to go home, many learners spill onto the road unknowingly. Abenathi, of his own free will, directs children off the road, holding the hands of the little ones as he assists them safely to their transport. As a result, he leaves for home much later after his friends have already left. He was honoured with the award due to his caring, selfless attitude in sacrificing his time for the safety of others,” according to the statement.
Olonathando Nzama and Lonathemba Simelane both received R1000 vouchers for their honesty after handing in a wallet they had found.
“Lonathemba and Olonathando found a wallet in school which they handed in. When asked if they had opened it, they said no. The wallet contained a large sum of money, and when the owner was found, they confirmed that nothing was missing. The girls were rewarded for their honesty and integrity,” read the statement.
Iviwe Chiliza, was honoured for his role as a team player for helping fellow pupils with chess and including rural pupils in chess games and received a R1000 voucher.
“Iviwe has the humanitarian qualities of a true leader and has helped the learners of St Patrick’s learn how to play chess and challenged past convictions and mindsets that judged rural learners as learners who cannot excel in chess. He has championed for an inclusive practice at our school where learners from all grades play chess through an outdoor mural that he has designed. His humble nature and selfless actions make him a hero with a difference. Providing opportunities and changing the climate of our school through his hard work and determination shows how one can break the stigma surrounding rural schools,” was how he was described in the statement.
All of the pupils received a Hero certificate and badge for their positive actions and are all automatically entered into the national annual Hero Awards where winning pupils will receive a share of R35000 in Pick ‘n Pay vouchers.
Pick n Pay School Club provides free curriculum-compliant educational support to a network of 3280 schools. The Hero Awards programme was launched 14 years ago as a platform to recognise pupils who made a positive impact in their community, overcame hardship or displayed teamwork.
“Every year, we have more heroes we can celebrate, which means greater positive impact in communities,” says Vaughan Pierce, Executive for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Pick n Pay.
“It is so important that our youth - ultimately our leaders of tomorrow - have other learners to look up to in their communities. These awards do just that and help inspire their peers to do well - whether it is at home, in school or in their community.”
“The programme is so well loved by schools because the categories align with their goals on how they want to teach their learners to behave, treat others and their communities,” said Pierce.
