Tana Mainga
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature has officially opened nominations for the highly anticipated 11th edition of the prestigious Vita Basadi Awards, setting the stage for another powerful celebration of women whose selfless service continues to transform lives and strengthen communities across Gauteng.
As part of the province’s 2026 Women’s Month programme, the awards once again shine a spotlight on extraordinary women whose leadership, compassion, resilience and unwavering commitment to social upliftment often go unrecognised, despite the profound impact they make in society.
The Vita Basadi Awards have become a beacon of hope and inspiration, honouring women who dedicate themselves to empowering others, uplifting vulnerable groups and driving meaningful social change without seeking applause or public recognition.
This year, members of the public are being called upon to identify and nominate deserving women from all walks of life, regardless of age, background, culture, faith, sexual orientation or ability, including women living with disabilities, whose contributions embody courage, service and excellence.
In an exciting development, the 2026 edition introduces two new award categories aimed at recognising excellence within the education sector.
The Innovative Educator Award will celebrate science teachers who bring learning to life through creativity and innovation, while the Community Builder Award will honour educators who have made an outstanding contribution to the academic growth and development of learners.
The awards also continue to inspire younger generations through the Young Dignitary Award, which recognises exceptional girl learners in both primary and secondary schools. To ensure transparency and authenticity, nominations in this category must be formally validated by the relevant schools.
Meanwhile, the Guardian Award remains a powerful tribute to women serving on the frontlines of protection and public safety, including police officers, military personnel, firefighters, security officers, lifeguards, law enforcement officials and emergency service workers whose courage safeguards communities daily.
To submit a nomination, nominators are required to provide the nominee’s name together with a motivation of no more than 300 words, clearly outlining the nominee’s work and why she deserves recognition. Multiple category submissions are allowed, provided each includes a category-specific motivation aligned to the award criteria.
Importantly, the Legislature has emphasised that nominations will not be judged by quantity, but by the strength of the motivation and the depth of the nominee’s meaningful and selfless contribution to society.
The winners will be celebrated during the prestigious Vita Basadi Awards Ceremony in August 2026, hosted by Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Morakane Mosupyoe.
Nominations close on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, giving communities across Gauteng the opportunity to ensure that their local heroines receive the recognition they deserve.
Nomination details are available via the official gpl.gov.za
The Vita Basadi Awards are more than just an awards programme, they are a celebration of purpose, service and the unstoppable power of women shaping a brighter future. As Gauteng calls for nominations, it sends a clear message: true greatness is found in service, and every act of compassion has the power to change the world.
IMAGED SOURCED FROM LEGISLATOR WEBSITE
