Social entrepreneurs are often referred to as change agents and this was highly evident at the Gordon Institute of Business Science’s (GIBS) Colloquium for Social Entrepreneurs Social Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner held in Johannesburg on the 13th September 2007.

Connect Africa is proud to have two loyal and enthusiastic staffers, Elias Mashilo and Melanie Malema, who were voted as finalists in “The Believer” Category of this prestigious event.

“The Believer” – In many instances, there is a second in command who comes on board quite soon after the social entrepreneur has voiced an idea and stands by them and helps build the organisation through good times and bad. We request nominations from social entrepreneurs from whom we have heard about the second comer, the supporter and ultimate helper who joined them because he or she became convinced of the merit of their idea.

The prize ultimately went to a dedicated Francois Pienaar – for his 11 years work with the needy in Johannesburg’s notorious Hillbrow suburb – but we at Connect Africa are immensely proud of our own dedicated team who, against very stiff competition, made it through to the three finalists.

Well done Melanie and Elias – and Thank You!!!