“I never expected to be the recipient of this prestigious award,” said Mr Henry Denner, principal of Louis Trichardt High School upon receiving an award in the Leadership Section at the annual Calvary Community Empowerment Award function.

Former recipients of the same award are Deputy President Kgalema Mohlante, Mr Collins Chabane of the Office of the President, former General Gabriel Ramushwana, Lucas Radebe, the former captain of Bafana Bafana and Leeds United, Dingaan Thobela, former world Boxing champion, Hosi Chief Nwamitwa II and businessman Mr Solly Noor.

Awards were presented to 22 recipients on 25 February at the function hosted at the Calvary Christian Church Centre in Lwamondo. An audience of about 2 000 cheered the recipients.

The different sections in which the awards are made include leadership, sport, culture, economic development, community development, religion, media, education and impairment. There were two recipients in each category.

Denner’s leadership skills, selflessness and generosity had been noticed.

“Your life has clearly communicated the message that ‘a man’s greatness is not determined by what he receives, but by what he gives’. With this award we are saying, ‘Don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap the harvest,” reads the message by Dr AM Masakona, the president and founder of Calvary Churches.

“This award is truly a good motivation to continue,” Denner said. Denners’s spouse, Ms Adri Denner, accompanied him to the function

“We met very interesting people. The two recipients with physical impairments, Ms Matodzi Phasha and Ms Masingita Masungu, really touched my heart. They reached great heights in spite of their physical challenges,” Denner said. Pasha, who suffers from cerebal palsy, is a continuity presenter on Soweto TV. Masungu, whose legs had not developed, is an IT assistant director.

Just prior to the ceremony,  the recipients and dignitaries took part in a procession of impressive motor vehicles and motorcycles, driving from Thohoyandou to Lwamondo.

“Something else that made an impression on me was the audience’s incredible discipline and cooperation with their leaders,” Denner said.