Eastwood awards on track

THE annual Eastwood Community Awards, known as Ward 34 Annual Community Wards, are on track and are expected to be bigger than ever.

According to founder and one of the organisers, Jerry Barnes, so far things are coming together and looking good.

Barnes says this year’s event will on another level, colourful and a real red carpet event.

Also, for the first time, there will be a few entertainment items provided by community musical groups.

“As I said when we started last year, this event is not a political one and not attached to any political organisation, but strictly belongs to the community.

“The aim of the event is simple and straight forward — to honour people that are doing good work and contributing positively to Ward 34 in different spheres of life,”said Barnes.

Barnes says the event’s local organising committee (Loc) is working hard around the clock to make it happen.

“We said this year is going to be a red carpet affair and it is going to happen exactly like that.

“We are very lucky that our Loc and our chairman, Mike Amod, are passionate hard workers and are able to raise the bar.

“Mark my words, this year’s awards will on another level.” This year’s event is scheduled for September 15 at Eastwood Civic Centre. Barnes is appealing to good Samaritans out there to donate old trophies, medals and miniatures to go towards prizes. “Unfortunately, we don’t have sponsors and don’t have funding; we depend totally on donors. “Last year, our chairman Amod paid for all the prizes from his pocket. “Others donated soft drinks, snacks and meals,”said Barnes. Some of the local prominent figures to be honoured at this year’s function are Nomalanga Hlubi (artist), Kurt Dos Santos, Quincy Ngcobo (both SA Indoor team), Cedrick Conway (former SA Welterweight Champ), Gregory Clark (ex SA Boxing Champ), Mbulelo “OJ” Mabizela (former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana captain), Ibrahim Hossen (SAIFA Secretary and referee), and Steven “Scara”Tony (former Safa School of Excellence pupil).
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For more information potential sponsors, partners and volunteers can contact Mike Amod on 079 874 4637, Barnes on 083 521 9553 or Odette Hoosen on 081 532 6361.