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Busy Bee Rugby Football Club was among nine recipients of the Mayor’s Medal. The accolade recognises people or associations serving a community with dedication and sacrifice.
There are few sports teams in the townships that can brag about being in the game for a decade, let alone contributing to the fight for liberation.
This is exactly what Busy Bee Rugby Football Club has achieved and their contribution to society was highlighted on Wednesday 6 December when the City of Cape Town hosted the Civic Honours.
The honours recognise several people for their role in society in Cape Town and around the world.
The ceremony was held at the Council Chambers recently.
It was the first time in twelve years that the Civic Honours were awarded in Cape Town.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was one of several people awarded Civic Honours. Other recipients included Albie Sachs, Athol Fugard, Basil D’Oliveira, Bennie Rabinowitz, Brenda Fassie, Breyten Breytenbach, AG “Sailor” Malan, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Jonathan Butler, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Krotoa, and Dr Thabo Makgoba.
Busy Bee was among nine recipients of the Mayor’s Medal. The accolade recognises people or associations serving a community with dedication and sacrifice.
Other recipients were Friends of Mostert’s Mill; Tracey Chambers, and Tracey Gilmore, Danny Diliberto, Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Hank Lith, Zoë Prinsloo, Volunteer Wildfire Services and Athol Williams.
Commenting on the accolade director of rugby at Busy Bee Msuthu Kewana praised Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the City for recognising the club and its efforts in the community of Langa. “We are truly excited that our role was recognised by the City. At least we can now cry with one eye,” he says.
Established in 1923, the club was also used for political engagements at the height of apartheid. Today it prides itself for the development of sport in Langa.
After falling at the final hurdle to gain promotion into Super B, Kewana tells City Vision they hope to gain promotion next year. “We were severely affected by Covid-19. We lost of a lot of people including our life president. We are now in the rebuilding process,” he says, adding the recognition will give players the much-needed impetus. There is hope of a Super B return.
Hill-Lewis says he wants to recognise the remarkable impact the recipients have made.
“It is about recognising the contributions of some truly remarkable people – whether a living person or in memory of someone who has passed away – and to reflect on their achievements and the impact they’ve made in society. We express our deepest admiration and gratitude to them all.”
Upon receiving her accolade Ellis says she feels blessed. “I am truly grateful to get this award. Even though I don’t live in Cape Town, I am Capetonian. It’s through the hard work of the players and the staff of Banyana, but everyone involved in women’s football. Not just women’s football, but women in sports.
She adds: “It goes to everybody who is involved in women in sport, we keep on raising the profile and we have to continue to do so.”
Founder of Gift of the Givers Dr Imtiaz Sooliman says he accepts the award on behalf of all people rendering a service in the country and to South Africans.
“I am honoured that I am not from Cape Town, and they recognise me. To be recognised with all the quality of people who have come here, it’s great South Africans. I would like to remember all those people who were not called here. I want to recognise my family, 35 years of sacrifice from them and my teams who work 365 days a year and never complain.”
Upon receiving the mayor’s medal, Ladles of Love founder Diliberto says: “We don’t do it for recognition, but it’s always great to be recognised. I receive this more for everyone. Ladles of Love has achieved what it has because of the power of collaboration.
“Most important is our mama warriors out there who are selflessly cooking, those are our heroes, they keep our nation standing.”
