SOUTH African Volunteers Awards (Sava) are bouncing back after a four-year break.
This year, the awards are also set to pay tribute to its founder late Dr Bhekisisa Ngcobo who was also a founder of Zululand FM, based in Melmoth, KZN.
Dr Ngcobo, who died in 2020 due to Covid-19, initiated the awards to celebrate unsung heroes, musicians, and community servants, before they disappeared.
The awards have previously honoured respected figures such as the late Zulu monarch traditional prime minister Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande and Ihhashi Elimhlophe.
The awards will be relaunched in Durban on Friday, 23 February, with the main event scheduled for May at a venue and date yet to be announced.
Organiser Nonhlanhla "Mdonso" Ngcobo, who is the younger sister of Dr Ngcobo and a producer on Ukhozi FM, said the reason she's bringing the awards back is because she wants to pay tribute to her late brother.
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“I want to continue with his legacy of praising unsung heroes because he started it 15 years ago. The idea behind the awards was to praise and encourage people who work hard to improve the lives of other residents like amakhosi, izinduna, teachers, police officers, nurses, counsellors, mayors, musicians and many more,” she said.
Mdonso said this year's awards will feature various music and community radio categories.
“These will include Best Maskandi Artist/Group, Best Gospel Artist/Group, Best Mbhaqanga Artist/Group, Best Community Radio, Best Community Radio presenter and many more.
“This year we are planning that the awards will go with prize money to encourage people to enter the awards,” she said.
Musicians such as Sgwili and Babo (gospel), Thinah Zungu (gospel), Uboneni Magubane (maskandi), Buselaphi (maskandi), and Ababekezeli (mbhaqanga) have entered and secured wins in previously.
