This award has been given every year since 1963. There are four awards that are presented each year. The process starts with residents having to nominate individuals who have excelled in the community. The Rotarians then evaluate each nominee.
Recipients of the awards are honoured at a gala function.
The Vocational Awards are awarded to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution, or rendered an outstanding service towards the community and/or town of Mossel Bay through their particular vocation.
The nominees for this year were Rosaline van Rensburg, Yolandi Botha, Alma Kritzinger and Dr Frans de Graaff.
The recipient of the Vocational Courtesy Award, Rosaline van Rensburg, started working at the laundry at Santos Haven in September 1994.
She was promoted to supervisor in 1996 and immediately took ownership of her new position and implemented many good changes in the laundry. With her team of six workers, they wash, iron and deliver 12 000kg of laundry each month to the residents on Santos Haven. That is 400kg per day!
She voluntarily works most public holidays.
Rosaline is a strong leader and always has a smile on her face. She has a wonderful relationship with the residents of Santos Haven, and is an example to her fellow employees
Yolandi Botha was awarded the Vocational Merit Award. She became aware of the high incidence of autism and Down's Syndrome in the Mossel Bay community, and started a private school, called the Leolan Academy for children with special learning needs. The school grew very quickly to 25 pupils and already has a waiting list.
The school welcomes anyone interested to come and see where these very special children are able to develop to the best of their abilities, under the guidance of Yolandi and her co-workers.
Runner-up to the Citizen of the year is the Merit Award, is Alma Kritzinger. She is a leading activist in the community on various levels, in particular for the needs of children and women from disadvantaged communities. She is an employee at the Mossel Bay Municipality and is known as the 'mamma' by the community children, because everything she does revolves around their well-being.
One can learn a lot about a man's character on how they treat their animals. This is absolutely true when it comes to the winner of this year's Citizen of the Year award, Dr Frans de Graaff from the Hartenbos Animal Hospital. Animal lovers take their pets to Dr de Graaff for care and attention, but what is particularly commendable is the compassionate way in which he treats the wild animals and birds that are brought to him.
A few months ago, Dr De Graaff took it upon himself to care for two sea tortoises. The rehabilitation took months, but after much care, the tortoises were released back into the wild. One of the tortoises was estimated to be 100 years old.
Dr De Graaff also cares for many other wild species, and he takes care of all the wild birds that are taken to SAPREC – the seabird and penguin rehabilitation centre in Mossdustria. Dr De Graaff does his work with love and dedication, and at his own cost.
The award recipients, Rosaline van Rensburg, Alma Kritzinger, Yolandi Botha and Dr Frans de Graaff with Executive Mayor Alderlady Marie Ferreira and Rotary President Claire du Plessis (second from right). Photo: Tersia Marais
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