Elijar Mushiana has come a long way from being a village photographer to a bureau chief heading the photographic section of a national paper in Polokwane.

When he started many years ago, little did he know that what he started as a hobby would one day make him one of the most popular media photographers in the area.He has worked as a freelancer for numerous publications, including this newspaper, where his skills were honed, and the Sowetan, where he is working full-time today. He has recently been elected to chair the Vhembe Journalists Forum, an umbrella body for journalists in the Vhembe area.

During all these years, Mushiana worked tirelessly in helping up-and-coming photographers and writing community-based stories which highlighted the plight of the poor and the disadvantaged.

In acknowledgement of the good work he has done for the community of Vhembe, his community organized a big function to honour him. He, together with 17 others, was honoured during the Healing Pentecostal Church’s 10th Annual Awards at Hanesengani-Vuwani in the Louis Trichardt area on Sunday.

Amongst those awarded were the local councillor, Dorcas Mmbooi, local traditional leader Mr Bardwell Mufunwaini of Munna Ndi Nnyi, ANC leaders, well-known veteran gospel musician Bishop Roxley Masevhe, veteran radio presenter Razmatazz Mashige, organizations and other prominent personalities.

The initiator of the awards, Pastor Michael Makhuvha, who is also the head pastor of the church which has branches across the country, said it was a way of giving praise where it is deserved.

“These people are doing a lot for the community and they could not stand up there and praise themselves. Some of them do not even know that  what they are doing for the community is being observed and appreciated. Some  work under difficult conditions without expecting compensation. We have to acknowledge the good work they are doing,” he said.

Makhuvha said as a church they had come to realize that they could not satisfy only the spiritual person, leaving the physical one behind. He said since they had started showing appreciation for the good work people were doing for the community, there had been a tremendous improvement in the lives of  ordinary people.

“Encouragement leads to more hard work and the more people work, the more development in the community. This is exactly what we would like to see happening in our communities. We will continue identifying people who are making a tremendous improvement in the community and we acknowledge them in the presence of all,” he said.

Mushiana received thunderous applause when he ascended the stage to receive his award. After receiving the award, Mushiana said he had the community to thank for their support throughout the years.