Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
28 February 2023
Gert Sibande Talent Awards were held in Bethal, Upper Lounge on Saturday, 25 February 2023 with the purpose of appreciating talent from local communities within the Gert Sibande District Municipality.
Innocent Masilela, Xolane Nkowane and Sibusiso Sibande had a vision to give back to the community.
Therefore, together they planned and organised the awards which, according to them, the aim was to celebrate and encourage the youth to not stop thriving towards achieving their goals.
The venue was buzzing with the youth dressed to impress as they honoured the event’s invitation.
The awards consisted of 21 categories with winners ranging from position three to one.
Social media platforms were used to showcase the nominees from the different categories where the platforms were open for everyone to vote.
Voters only had to react to their favourite nominee by reacting to the nominated individuals post. Therefore, whoever obtained more reactions in the category was declared the winner.
Categories raged from,
Entrepreneurship – hustler of the year;
Community builder of the year;
Photographer of the year;
Fashion designer of the year; and
promoters and event organisers.
This awards showed that indeed the region has so many talented young individuals who are thriving to make it to the top, including the likes of models, Djs , Fashion designers and entrepreneurs.
Therefore, Seskhona Newspaper came out victorious as the best media house of the year and thanked everyone who voted for the newspaper.
Zanele Gwebu the founder of Indawo Yosizwe foundation in Bethal bagged community builder of the year, meanwhile Sihle Mabena from the entertainment industry who is from eMbalenhle township bagged certificate of event organiser of the year and an award winning promoter- Influencer of the year
“We are excited for hosting these awards and seeing everyone happy that they are valued in the community and their talent are being appreciated although next year we hoping to do more amazing event of awards, we plead with all businesspeople and municipalities to support us with sponsoring our event so that we can see Gert Sibande District developing with more talent,” said the duo Innocent Masilela and Sibusiso Sibande.
