Through its Gold Crown of Excellence recognition programme, PR Worx has embarked on a noble campaign to acknowledge South African leaders, essential services providers, NGOs, community members, and the youth for making a real and remarkable difference in the fight against COVID-19. More importantly, these agents of progress are giving people hope, strength, and the resources to set South Africa on a path of recovery.
“This daily online recognition, honours individuals and groups who have responded to our country’s needs with integrity, intent, confidence and compassion to help ease the pandemic currently gripping the country,” says PR Worx CEO, Madelain Roscher.
The campaign kicked off by recognising South Africa’s number one citizen, President Cyril Ramaphosa for his brave stance and clear leadership in combating the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Other changemakers who were recognised already by PR Worx include business leaders Patrice Motsepe; Danie Matthee; and Nick Grubb, as well as the late researcher and health advocate; Dr Gita Ramjee.
“These are great individuals who in their personal and professional capacities have excelled in their respective fields. But rather than be content with what they have achieved so far, these sterling leaders shared their excellence and helped South Africa in times of crisis, and such heroism is worthy of the highest recognition we can offer them,” says Roscher.
Motspepe and his various companies were recognised for their R1 billion contribution to fight the pandemic, Matthee and his OUTsurance team for setting the Corporate Social Investment bar for South Africa, and Grubb for offering struggling business owners and advertisers’ free airtime on Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.
Roscher says that she would have personally liked to thank President Ramaphosa for his contribution and brave leadership, but due to movement restrictions of individuals and couriers, she sent her letter of appreciation to him via various executives in his office.
In the true sense of democracy, PR Worx is inviting all South Africans to nominate worthy recipients who are making a lasting difference in tackling COVID-19 and the associated negative socio-economic impact. Nominations can be made using any of PR Worx’s social media pages including @PRworx on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Recipients of the Gold Crown of Excellence will be announced on the firm’s social media platforms daily.
The firm’s impressive campaign also caught the attention of PR regulatory body, the Public Relations Institute of South Africa.
CEO of PRISA, Victor Sibeko said in a statement, “PRISA is proud of professionals and agencies who have taken the lead in COVID messages of support such as PR Worx’s inspirational campaign: #GoldCrownofExcellence which recognises South Africa’s leaders daily for their efforts in working shoulder to shoulder with government, corporates, employees and communities in their fight against this pandemic.”
Roscher says that once business returns to normality, she would like to hand over every recipients’ recognition certificate to them personally to thank them for their outstanding contribution.
She concludes, “I am proud to be a South African, especially when I hear the stories of leaders and ordinary people who are working relentlessly or behind the scenes to make South Africa a safer place for all. To keep spreading messages of optimism during these difficult times, PR Worx will keep recognising the innovators, creators, discovers, philanthropists and doers for their admirable deeds with our Gold Crown of Excellence. It’s these ordinary and extraordinary men and women of South Africa that inspire all of us to do more,” concludes Roscher.
