From left to right: INSETA CEO Sandra Dunn with Shaiks Malete of Santam and Pauls Gibbons of Glenrand MIB.
The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) National Disability Awards – held in Johannesburg on 3 December to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities – saw the announcement of winners in four categories, sending a resounding message that people with disabilities are making a major contribution to the South African workplace.
The main objective of the Awards, organised by INSETA for the first time this year, was to honour and raise the profile of workers with disabilities who are making a remarkable difference in the workplace, as well as individuals and organisations supporting the advancement of people with disabilities.
INSETA CEO Sandra Dunn said the event would now become an annual feature in the national insurance calendar.
In the category National Disability Company (for organisations that have created opportunities for people with disabilities), Merit Awards went to insurance firm Glenrand MIB and financial services firm Santam. Judges were impressed by Glenrand MIB’s numerous activities around creating education opportunities for disabled learners.
Santam was honoured in this category for their activeness in providing learnerships for unemployed disabled learners. They implemented bridging programmes to support learners who fall short of the required levels in math and literacy with great success.
In the Business Leader category (for persons with disabilities who have achieved in the workplace), Advocate Ena Prinsloo was honoured with a Merit Award.
Dunn said Prinsloo is actively raising awareness of the challenges facing people with disabilities.
“It is her zest for life and the way she is changing the attitudes and perceptions of the able bodied society about people with disabilities that made her stand out,” said Dunn.
Another winner in the Business Leader category, Alexander Forbes’ Anton Engelbrecht, also impressed judges with his outstanding personal achievements in the workplace. Engelbrecht’s tenacity to succeed as a business development consultant for his company shone through.
In the Young Leader category (for young persons between the ages of 18-25 who have displayed great potential in their studies or in the workplace), Cassim Moola took the top honour. Moola suffers from cerebral palsy, but despite his everyday challenges with the condition, he completed his adult integration training and went on to start his own business. Today he is the owner of a Multi Serve franchise company which employs three people.
Dunn said that last year his company achieved a 37% growth rate which saw his store winning the area franchise award. “He is a truly worthy winner,” she said.
Engelbrecht received a second recognition award, a Champion Award, along with Radio 2000 personality, Doug Anderson. The winner in the Champion Award category was Fanie Du Toit, the hearing impaired radio broadcaster at Radio Sonder Grense, who has enlightened millions of listeners about disabilities through his voice.
Dunn declared the first-time event a great success – having achieved its primary goals of challenging prejudices and showing what outstanding contributions people with disabilities are making to South African businesses everyday.
“We raised awareness of the challenges of people with disabilities, we celebrated and recognised those who have made great strides in improving the lives of people with disabilities, and last but certainly not least, I believe with these Awards we have encouraged the further efforts of everyone in South Africa, able bodied or disabled, to challenge the prejudices that still persist in our country,” she said.
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