At Momentum Metropolitan we recognise that we are inescapably tied to the welfare of communities around us and that we need to work for their betterment as an organisation. We recruit the best talent for our business. Our volunteers programme creates the opportunity for this talent to serve not only our business goals but be of service to society at large.
We have high expectations and strive to do volunteer work that is impactful and sustainable, as opposed to being incidental. Our volunteer work therefore extends beyond the corporate volunteer calendar to include an online capability that allows volunteer and causes to connect and find solutions to social challenges together. The volunteers programme firmly supports Momentum Metropolitan Foundation’s youth employment focus, but volunteers are supported and enabled to contribute their skills in various fields such as animal welfare, advocacy for people with disabilities, environmental conservation and the protection of women and children. Volunteers have access to resources such as matchfunding and partners to enable their work.
Lesedi Awards
Established in 2016, the Lesedi (Sesotho word meaning Light) was created to recognize our employees who have taken ownership of the responsibility we all have to work for the betterment of less fortunate communities. We wanted employees to know that we recognise the things that are important to them, and support them as people who care for and are concerned about the well-being of their communities.
Lesedi is our proof point that we are geared to purposeful volunteer work, which supports people from all walks of life to reach their goals and life aspirations, notwithstanding the many challenges they might face. Every year, nominees for these awards demonstrate their commitment to work that speaks to the needs of people, as opposed to volunteer work done for own personal gain.
There are eight categories within which nominees are evaluated on the extent to which they give life to the Momentum Metropolitan values of teamwork, integrity, diversity, accountability and Innovation, as well as its impact and sustainability. Because we believe we learn while we serve, the extent to which personal growth occurred because of the volunteering is also being taken into account. All the nominees receive a contribution to the causes where they have volunteered.
2020 Award Winners
Elias Monare
Lesedi Individual Award
The individual whose involvement in volunteer initiatives best aligns with our approach to volunteerism. Purposeful community-centered volunteerism.
Winner: Elias Monare for exhibiting teamwork and accountability to our fellow men and playing an active role in the community of Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria.
TSG Mentee Support
Lesedi Team Award
A group of people who work together as a team on volunteer initiatives, and whose contribution best aligns with our approach of purposeful community-centered volunteerism.
Winner: TSG Mentee Support for being involved in a Grade 12 mentoring programme with the Phakamani Young Minds Academy, a programme that addresses the educational gap in many underprivileged students.
Kim Chonguica
Lesedi Volunteer Business Leader Award
This special award is dedicated to the business leader who consistently shows support for staff volunteer efforts and who leads by example by volunteering on their own.
Winner: Kim Chonguica for leading a group of colleagues in supporting the Walter Sisulu Primary School by buying sanitary towels and toiletries for young girl.
Maliako Koatja
Lesedi International Award
For a team or individual who does not reside in South Africa and volunteers in their own time out of their own accord and whose work best aligns with our approach to volunteerism.
Winner: Maliako Koatja for being a committed volunteer at the Juvenile Training Center at the Lesotho Correctional Services, a detention center for children who have had issues with the law.
Mildred Majadibodu
Lesedi Exceptional Volunteer Champion Award
This award is dedicated to the volunteer champion who goes above and beyond what is required of him or her.
Winner: Mildred Majadibodu for single handedly managing and co-coordinating all Group CSI projects in Sandton. Her team spirit, proactive thinking, diligence, energy and flexibility are all an asset to her volunteering service.
Susan Prinsloo - Gauteng
The Most Active on Forgood
For an individual registered on the Momentum Metropolitan Forgood platform who has the highest completed actions from the platform and who is rated above average by the causes he or she volunteered with.
Winner: Susan Prinsloo
Mthandazo Khumalo on behalf of Anonymous – Durban
Lesedi Most consistent Payroll giver Award
For the highest and most consistent payroll giver between August 2019 and July 2020.
Winner: Mthandazo Khumalo on behalf of Anonymous – Durban
Elias Monare
Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering Award
This award is handed to an individual or a team that has best exemplified all of the Momentum Metropolitan volunteering values
The individual whose involvement in volunteer initiatives best aligns with our approach to volunteerism. In other words, purposeful community-centred volunteerism.
Winner: Seema Singh for spearheading disaster response initiatives and other community outreach programmes.
Lesedi Team
A group of people who could be from different business areas but work together as a team on volunteer initiatives, and whose contribution best aligns with our approach of purposeful community-centred volunteerism.
Winner: The Haditchi2 and Cubicles for their collaboration with Vuka Skhokho in dismantling drug trade in schools and providing support structures for youth in disadvantaged communities.
Lesedi Exceptional Business Leader
This special award will be dedicated to the business leader who consistently shows support for staff volunteer efforts and volunteers on a regular basis. This person leads by example.
Winner: Simon Sibeko for garnering much needed support for the Christ Church Christian Care Centre.
Lesedi International
A team or individual who does not reside in South Africa and volunteers in their own time out of their own accord and whose work best aligns with our approach to volunteerism.
Winner: Kennedy Kwaku Antwi from Ghana for his work in conservation and education.
Lesedi Exceptional Volunteer Champion
This award will be dedicated to the volunteer champion who goes above and beyond what is required.
Winner: Seema Singh for consistently giving of her time, effort and enthusiasm towards CSI initiatives.
Most active volunteer on Momentum Metropolitan Forgood
Momentum Metropolitan Forgood is our online volunteering platform.
Winner: Susan Prinsloo for volunteering at the Differently Abled Cricket Club (DACC) and Epilepsy South Africa.
Payroll Giver
The highest and most consistent payroll giver between July and August the previous year.
Winner: Winner: Marius Cilliers for contributions to the Phakamani Young Minds Academy.
Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering
This award will be given to one of the winners of the above-mentioned nine categories.
The individual whose involvement in volunteer initiatives best aligns with our approach to volunteerism. In other words, purposeful community-centred volunteerism.
Winner: Clinton van Boomen for building strong support systems for Victory Kids center for children with Learning difficulties.
Lesedi Team
A group of people who could be from different business areas but work together as a team on volunteer initiatives, and whose contribution best aligns with our approach of purposeful community-centred volunteerism.
Winner: Durban CSI Team for their work with orphans, vulnerable children and abused women.
Lesedi Exceptional Business Leader
This special award will be dedicated to the business leader who consistently shows support for staff volunteer efforts and volunteers on a regular basis. This person leads by example.
Winner: Grace Masehela for volunteering with her team in public hospitals and early childhood development centers.
Lesedi International
A team or individual who does not reside in South Africa and volunteers in their own time out of their own accord and whose work best aligns with our approach to volunteerism.
Winner: Kennedy Kwaku Antwi from Ghana for his work in conservation and education.
Lesedi Exceptional Volunteer Champion
This award will be dedicated to the volunteer champion who goes above and beyond what is required.
Winner: Seema Singh for spearheading disaster response initiatives.
Most active volunteer on Momentum Metropolitan Forgood
Momentum Metropolitan Forgood is our online volunteering platform.
Winner: Esther Moloi for mentoring and coaching vulnerable youth.
Payroll Giver
The highest and most consistent payroll giver between July and August the previous year.
Winner: Marius Cilliers for contributions to the Tshwane School of Music..
Lesedi Spirit of Volunteering
This award will be given to one of the winners of the above-mentioned nine categories.
Winner: Durban CSI Team
Nominations received
Over the years the awards saw exponential growth since its inception in 2016. On average 25 non-profits receive support annually as nominees are recognised for their work with these organisations. Last year 326 nominations were received and more than R250 000 channeled to 26 non-profits.