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GEORGE NEWS - The George Business Chamber, a local construction company, Goal Projects and George Correctional Services were honoured individually at the prestigious Govan Mbeki Awards 2018 Gala Function in Cape Town on Friday 31 August for their joint efforts to restore dignity to the life of the eldest resident of George. The chamber, correctional services and Goal Projects took hands to rebuild the crumbling century-old house belonging to the oldest resident of George, Johanna Carolus, who has stayed in Blanco in the same home since her birth 102 years ago.
Keith Sharpe, owner of Goal Projects and a board director of the George Business Chamber, received the Minister's Merit Award for the major role he played in the construction of the home.
The George Business Chamber received the award for Best Partnership with the Western Cape Government, which was accepted on their behalf by George Mayor Melvin Naik.
On top of this, George Correctional Services received the Minister's Merit Award for Best Partnership with the department, for supplying the labour in the Blanco initiative. It was accepted by Ndileka Patience Booi, the Area Commissioner of Southern Cape Management. The project was coordinated by the George Business Chamber and the Eden Lions provided food to the builders during construction.
The annual Govan Mbeki Awards showcase excellence in human settlement projects in which stakeholders from all spheres participate. The Western Cape Provincial Human Settlement Minister, Bonginkosi Madikizela, handed over the awards.
Other local wins
At the same event, the George Municipality won an award in the Best Enhanced People's Housing Process Programme for Protea Park in George (71 houses). George Municipality has won Govan Mbeki awards in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
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Before: The project that won three awards. With the help of many role players, Johanna Carolus's home was converted from a dilapidated old building into a sturdy home with a tiled roof. Correctional Services provided some of the labour.
After: Johanna Carolus, the oldest resident in George, celebrated her 102nd birthday together with friends and family in her house in Blanco. The hand-over ceremony was attended by VIPs.
The Thembalethu construction company Zuksem Project received the Govan Mbeki Award for Emerging Youth Contractor. Horatius Strydom (Developer-HAS Consulting Pty) said he gave the two emerging businessmen, Semakaleng Koloba and Zuko Ntsangani of Zuksem Projects, the opportunity to develop 50 houses in Haarlem and 200 in Thembalethu. The project was driven by the Western Cape, the George Municipality and the developer.
* In another joint project involving donated building material, Zuksem handed over a house to an elderly couple on Wednesday in Ntaka Street, Thembalethu.
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