Annah Mametsa
Health and Safety/Women in Uniform
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Project Name/Description:
Nurse
A popular figure in her community, where she is also known as a key player in social cohesion through sports. Annah, a nurse since 1993, has, over the years multiple awards and earned herself the right to be called Mother Teresa by residents. Her love for people and her community started in 2005, when she became the manager of Greenside Callies soccer and youth club, centred around the motto: “My talent in sports is my sword against crime.” Her lending hand and motherly love were evidenced when she chose to use her salary to make ends meet, by buying soccer kits and making the players feel special on their birthdays. This was a project that lasted for five years, as some of the players were recruited for greener pastures, while Annah’s heart was full. When her son was bullied, her heart became sore when she saw the bully in torn shoes. This led to her playing her role in fighting bullying, starting a drive to donate school shoes across her village. The project started in 2011. The donation included school shoes, sanitary pads, pens, and awarding top learners with awards, using her salary. She quotes Madiba: “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.” Annah says if Madiba can state that “education is the most powerful weapon to change the world,” then one need to ask why a child would have confidence wearing torn shoes being pricked by thorns, having period poverty, and lacking pens to show their intelligence, which is what led her to brighten their future with whatever she had.
