By Matefu Mokoena
“Hold on to your vision. Nurture it and protect it.”
These are the words of the Founder and Director of Gauteng Community Leaders Awards, Pastor Jacob Mabote, a man how hails from the town of Cornelia, Ntswanatsatsi, in the Free State Province.
Mabote was speaking at the ceremony of his own initiative, the First Gauteng Community Leaders Awards, held in Benoni last Saturday, the 6th September 2025.
It was a joyous occasion as outstanding leaders in different categories were recognised, celebrated and honoured.
The ceremony was led by a Saxophonist Sipho Shepherd, who ministered for 30 minutes and was much to the applause of leaders at the event.
The event was graced by special guests like Prof. Mbulelo Dyasi, Rev Chumisa Dyasi, Dr Stanley Maphosa, Dr J.J. Zondi, Dr Mtha Ncube, Mrs Ncube, Mafihla Maleka, Mrs Poppy Maleka, Ps Q. Tshabalala, Apostle Mareletse, Ps Mareletse, Ps Mahlalela, Ps Sekabate and the exceptional MC Sipho Jordan.
Addressing the festivities, Mabote unveiled his vision as follows “One of the greatest enemies of vision is sight – (Dr Myles Munroe). It is easy to get discouraged by what we see around us – obstacles, lack of resources, or delays. But vision isn’t about what things look like now, it’s about what they can become. Hold on to your vision. Nurture it and protect it.”
The winners in the 10 categories of the awards were as follows:
Youth Leader – Ngcebo Zungu
Business Leader – Mapelo Mashishi
Creative Leader – Petros Khoza
Community Leader – Bishop Fenyane
Social Impact Leader – Maria Gololo
Personal Development Leader – Ephraim Ngcongwani
Academic Leader – Mafihla Maleka
Religious Leader – Bishop Ingwane
Transformational Leader – Prof. Dyasi
Lifetime Achievement Recipient – Apostle Mareletse.
“The event was a night to remember. We thank God for using Mr Maleka as he was launching his book that evening. We congratulate all the Winners in 10 Categories,” concluded Mabote, who is also the Founder of Well of Life Movement and a Pastor in Gauteng Province.
