The Nkuri Concrete Project has been awarded a Jet Community Award for the Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Limpopo region.

Jet, a top retail brand in South Africa, honoured four exceptional community local heroes at the fourth annual Jet Community Awards held at Emnotweni, in Nelspruit, Mpumangalanga, last Thursday. Nkuri, from the Mopani District in Limpopo, was the winner in the Vukuzenzele category, which recognizes entrepreneurs and development centres, those that help create jobs and stimulate economic development.

The other award recipients in the region were Victim Support Centre (Mpumalanga) in the We Will Overcome category, Bakhita Village (Limpopo) in the We Care category and Nyika Hi Mbita, also from Limpopo, in the Education category.

This fascinating project was started at the end of 2004 by a group of 18 unemployed individuals with the assistance of the Mopani District Municipality. Nkuri members crush rocks manually to make concrete, which they sell to local builders. They currently sell three or four tons a month.

The team of 14 women and four men show great stamina as they carry heavy stones from the river to their facility.

Members of this non-profit organization are eager to move their project to another level. They have identified other two sites where they can excavate.

The Limpopo Business Support Agency heard about the group and was so impressed that they are keen to help the project develop their business and marketing skills.

Jet Marketing Manager Cameron Burt says: "This inspiring group of self-starters is a great example of incredible team work. They are working together effectively to reach their goals. It is our privilege to be able to assist them in maintaining the work they are doing.”

Although the needs of this project are ongoing, Burt says: “It is their hope that the award and prize money will assist in ensuring the sustainability of the project." The prize money per category is R10 000 and all regional winners will be eligible for the final event at which four worthy winners will take home R70 000 prize money, R1 000 Jet vouchers and a full scholarship worth R4 250 from Business Management Training College South Africa.

The Nelspruit event was the final of six regional events, which were held in the lead up to the final event in October at which the overall winners will be announced.