Momentum Group’s 9th annual Lesedi Awards recognises

Employee volunteering is one of Momentum Group’s Corporate Social Investment’s (CSI) pillars of focus, with a dynamic staff volunteerism program (SVP) that provides opportunities and resources for employees to support any charity or non-profit organization (NPO) they choose. This enables employees to connect with causes and communities around the country that personally resonate with them or are physically close to where they are.

The Lesedi Awards is an annual event held to honor these efforts and recognize the most dedicated and active volunteers who walk away with prize money, which is donated on their behalf to the charity or NPO of their choice.

Tshego Bokaba, CSI Manager at Momentum Group, says: “Momentum Group’s CSI mandate remains rooted in youth upliftment, but we also recognize there are other causes that might be close to the hearts of our employees. We want our staff members to feel connected to their communities; to something bigger. Through our staff volunteer programme, dedicated CSI leave day that is granted to facilitate staff’s volunteer efforts, and our annual Lesedi Awards, we empower our employees to make a meaningful, transformative impact.”

An extra day of leave is granted to all permanent Momentum Group employees for volunteer work, resulting in a potential of approximately 16,000 days or 128, 000 hours of time and skills that could be spent helping others in need. Employees can choose where they volunteer, and many have teamed up with colleagues and used their day’s leave as a team-building volunteering exercise.

This year’s Lesedi Awards saw eight winners announced across various categories, such as Lesedi Individual Volunteer, Lesedi Business Leader, and Lesedi Team Volunteer, and various causes represented, such as education support, land access, disaster relief, and more. The winners were announced at a ceremony last night in Johannesburg.

Gullium Brandt, New Business Administrator at Metropolitan Namibia, was named the 2024 Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering Award winner to honor serves as a testament to selfless service, which is chosen from top achievers across the eight Lesedi categories.

As founder and CEO of the Saamstaan Community Foundation, Brandt strives to assist landless community members seeks and acquire land. This involves managing the application process, ensuring land is ready for hand-over, allocating land to beneficiaries with the help of the town’s local authority, and helping members of the organization become landowners. Under his leadership, the organization has successfully secured 319 residential homes for its members, creating opportunities for land ownership and a sense of security within the community.

Says Brandt: “The road we walk at Saamstaan is not an easy one; land deliveries are a challenging process with lots of hoops to jump through. So much is involved – engineering, land surveying, architecture and having the ability to get people on your side. But once people see you have good intentions and learn to trust you, they start believing in you – which makes it all worth it. I am honoured to receive the Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering Award.”

Bokaba concludes, “Living a meaningful life of service not only impacts our immediate communities but the effects of this kindness ripple more broadly throughout the country and even the world has something more important than ever in these times.

“This year’s Lesedi Awards celebrate those who brought their whole selves to serve those around them.”

Full list of the Momentum Group’s Lesedi Awards winners:

Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering

• Gullium Brandt, New Business Administrator: Metropolitan Namibia
• Support for landless community members
• NPO: Saamstaan Community Foundation 
  
  

Lesedi Individual Volunteer

• Wavela Makunga, Actuarial Specialist: Momentum Retail
• Education support for learners
• NPO: SWM Foundation 
  
  

Lesedi Volunteer Business Leader

• Sanesha Govender, Service Manager: Momentum Health
• Support for tornado victims
• NPO: Haven of Rest Tongaat 
  

Lesedi Team Volunteer

• Katlego Mashego, Organisational Effectiveness Consultant: Momentum
• Support for unemployed graduates
• NPO: National Graduate Employment Solutions (NGES)
  
  Lesedi International Volunteer

• Gullium Brandt, New Business Administrator: Metropolitan Namibia
• Support for landless community members
• NPO: Saamstaan Community Foundation 
  
  

Lesedi Exceptional Volunteer Champion

• Sanesha Govender, Service Manager: Momentum Health
• Support for tornado victims
• NPO: Haven of Rest Tongaat 

Lesedi Most Consistent Payroll Giver

• Nadia Kirstens, Group Lead: B-BBEE Transformation, Momentum Group
• Various NGOs that focus on crucial issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), disability, disaster relief, and mentorship programmes.

Lesedi Most Engaged Volunteer on Momentum Group Volunteer Platform

• Maureen Edwards, General Sales Manager: Momentum Health
• Support for women and children
• NPO: Frida Hartley Women Shelter