ELVIS Seroka is delighted to be nominated for the South Africa Heroes Awards.
The awards, which celebrate ordinary South Africans doing extraordinary things to uplift their communities, will take place at the Joburg Theatre on 30 September.
Elvis (33) from Jane Furse, Limpopo, is the founder and managing director of Maretlagadi Welfare Centre.
The centre was established in 2016. It caters for children living with disabilities such as autism and cerebral palsy.
Elvis said they have 24 children between the ages of four and 23 in the North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
“Growing up, I looked after my younger sister, Kgotlelelo Seroka, who was born with autism. I couldn't live my normal childhood life as I had to help my single mother, Mailane Seroka," he said.
Elvis said he developed an interest in helping other children in a similar situation to her sister.
“I decided to implement a safer home for my sister and other children like her, not only for them but to help their respective families too, as they will be relieved and continue to live their lives.
“My mother and I had to give away our only home to pave the way for this initiative to operate and today, our home has been turned into a safer home for our angels,” he said.
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Elvis' contribution to society has not gone unnoticed.
He has received accolades such as 100 South African Shinning Stars 2022, Collen Mashawana Foundation Best Community Builder 2022, Sunday World Unsung Heroes 2022, and SAB Foundation Disability Empowerment Awardee.
Mailane (53) said she is proud of her son.
“He had shown me that anything is possible in life. Today, we have a centre in our area that gives hope to many families," she said.
Mailane said there's a reason why God trusted parents with children with special kids.
“We have impacted so many families by far, whereby we had a parent who was living with depression medication due to her child's situation at home. But today she is fully recovered,” she said.
Tryphinah Thutlwa from Lephale in Limpopo said her daughter Tshiamo Morodi was born with a disability, and she took her to the centre.
“I want to thank the Seroka family and their workers for making our lives easier and giving our boy a safer home.
“They are doing a splendid job and not only our child, but also for giving love, care and attention to other children in similar conditions,” she said.
SA Heroes Awards founder, Amanda Matshaka, said: "The awards celebrate people who go out of their way to make a difference in their communities.
“These are unsung heroes. They take care of orphans, and they train and mentor young people. They also help the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable," Amanda said.
