Youth Spirit Awards 2010

The third annual Amy Biehl Foundation Youth Spirit Award event was held on Saturday, 14 August 2010 in commemoration of the life and legacy of Amy Biehl who died in 1993.  A captive audience watched as The Amy Biehl Foundation traditional dancers, gumboot dancers, kwaito dancers, recorders, marimbas and choir together with Aviva Pelham performed a wonderful show sponsored by Damelin and Old Mutual.  Thembi Mtshali-Jones was Emcee while Linda Biehl and Mayor of Cape Town, Mr Dan Plato, handed over the Award.

The Award goes to young people who are making a difference and have gone out of their way to bring positive change to their communities. The aim is to challenge them to greater heights of service through the recognition of the Award and exposure to Amy Biehl’ s life and work. 

Rehana Odendaal from Wynberg Girls High School received the 2010 Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award.  The Y generation has been accused of apathy and lack of understanding about the hard fought battle that resulted in a democratic order in South Africa.   She is the true embodiment of the ideals for which Madiba fought; freedom, equality and service to others. She is an impassioned leader with an obvious penchant for community building and when asked why she does it, Rehana was quick to point out to the judges that this was part of her DNA. Her passionate pursuit of excellence in all she does, means that she walked through the adjudication room weighed down by an impressive number of medals on her coat.  She embodies the true spirit of Amy and in recognition, Rehana won, amongst other gifts, a R25 000 Damelin bursury.

Rehanna Odendaal receives the 2010 Amy Biehl Spirit Award.

Runner up Rosie Lee from Settlers High School has been working with unprivileged youth since a very young age but most impressive is that she spent her birthday last year assisting in the TygerBear Foundation’s Pink and Blue child awareness campaign, where children gathered together and blew whistles against child abuse and trauma. Rosie won a R5 000 Damelin bursary.

Runner up Mandisa Dyasi attends Mfuleni High School.  Inspired by her mother’s committed volunteerism, Mandisa impressed the judges with her can do attitude and her self-taught impeccable command of the English language.  Mandisa also won a R5 000 Damelin bursary.

Other Finalists Included:

Soren Cloete who works at TSIBA Education.

Cheslyn Steenberg founded the Youth Against Drugs organization to address rampant drug abuse in his community.

Kieran Mcleod is Club president of the Interact club, and this Bishops student is determined to use his privileged upbringing to help others.

Damelin also surprised the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust with an additional generous donation of R30 000 to be used to further Amy’s spirit by enhancing our after-school programmes.

It is an honour for the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust to see that we attract responsible, moral, and determined young men and women who want to build a better South Africa.

In addition to the Youth Spirit Award, Linda Biehl introduced the Global Award for long-standing support and involvement with the Amy Biehl Foundation.  The Northern Irish Team, Horst and Rita Boes and Larry and Judy Kendall were all awarded this great honor for their outstanding commitment to the spirit of the Foundation.

Special thanks also to Thembi Mtshali-Jones, Aviva Pelham, Mayor Dan Plato, and the Company of Wine People for their generous donations of time and talents.

          

Comments…

Saturday was very special and a great day THANX.

All the best,

Jasmin Johnson ,  UKUBONA AFRICA TOURS

HI Kevin, Well done on todays event – it was spectacular.  Seeing the kids out there really cemented further the amazing work you are leading .  You probably never take the credit but your leadership and energy is driving such amazing change in these children’s lives.  Today has made me even more keen to do as much as I can to assist.  I am quite humbled by it all

Love Amanda x

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YSA Web Coverage:

http://www.wynghs.co.za/service/2010/2010amybiehlaward/view

http://www.ngonewsafrica.org/?p=2313

Bloggers loved the event as well!  Check out what Amanda Cromhout has to say!  http://truthcustomerleadership.blogspot.com/2010/08/beyond-inspiring-linda-biehls-approach.html