The Sunshine Women Awards held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga honoured women who are doing well in different sectors of the province at a ceremony held on Friday night.
The awards are part of celebrating Women’s Month.
Two SABC female employees managed to scoop two awards at the third annual event.
TV Reporter Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni won the best female journalist of the year award, while Radio News Editor Nokubonga Lukhele was honoured with a humanitarian award.
Speaking after receiving the award, Lukhele says this shows that the SABC is also playing an important role within the society.
Lukhele said,” This really means a lot to the SABC not just in the province but in the whole country. It shows that our work is recognised. As journalists in the province our sleepless nights and going out to cover stories it shows that it means a lot to the communities that we deliver stories the stories to. I also won the humanitarian award which they recognised for going out and read for kids in schools. I am really honoured and humbled by this award.”
“I got a humanitarian award for reading books for children, and one of my colleagues Sibongile Mkani-Mpolweni got an award for best journalist, that means that our work is being recognised in the country,” added Lukhele.
Government hailed organisers of the awards for contributing in empowering women and called on the private sector to invest in such initiatives.
Dirco Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule said, “We are encouraging all South Africans to do their best in improving the lives of others, well government does not have resources all the time, we appreciate what is being done here.”
The awards have grown over the past three years.
Sunrise Women Awards co-founder Admire Malatjie-Mohlala said, “The awards have been growing over the years, the turnout is great and everything is lovely here, we are really grateful.”
The organisers are hoping for a much bigger event next year.
