Inspirational Leadership recognized during the UN in South Africa awards

On the side-lines of this year’s retreat of the United Nations Country Team held in the port city of Durban, the then head of the UN in South Africa, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, hosted the UN Resident Coordinator’s annual awards dinner.

The first category of honours was the Special Guests Award, which went to Munyaradzi Chenje, a former regional director with the UN’s Development Coordination Office, and Charles Kwenin, a former regional director with the International Organization for Migration, in appreciation of their long and dedicated service to the UN.

The second category of awards was for UN partners who were recognized for their Commitment and Dedication in assisting to develop and finalize UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the document that spells out the UN’s work in South Africa in collaboration with the government and other partners. The recipients, who were recognized their leadership and coordinating role, were Dr. Kefiloe Masiteng, the Acting Secretary at the National Planning Commission (NPC) and Cedrik Crowley, the Director for Economic Development at the Department for International Relations and Cooperation.

The third category of awards were dedicated to UN staff for displaying inspiring characteristics as they worked to leave no one behind. The awards for staff went to Tebogo Maleka from the UN Industrial and Development Organization (UNIDO), Siyanda Siko (International Labour Organization), Linda Naidoo and Ziyanda Ngoma (UN Population Fund), and Maria Moreriane (IOM)

A special award for the evening was presented to Ms. Bekele-Thomas, the Resident Coordinator, by UNIDO Representative Khaled El Mekwad for her inspirational leadership as the head of the UN in South Africa during her tenure. The Programme Directors for the evening were Ziyanda Ngoma from the UN Population Fund and Buchiyza Mseteka from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.