KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli joined other guests at the Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe on Friday
Image: Supplied
Community leaders, cultural advocates and media personalities were honoured at the 26th Ammen Awards held at the Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe on Friday, recognising individuals and organisations for their contributions to society.
The annual event, hosted at the temple, celebrates “ordinary people doing extraordinary work” across sectors including religion, arts and culture, education, sport and community socio-economic upliftment.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli joined other guests such as Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh; consul-general of India in Durban, Niteen Subhash Yeola; businessman inesh Naidoo and Roy Moodley; and MF leader Shameen Thakur Rajbansi who also participated in the 136th annual Shri prayer, where congregants gathered for reflection.
Ntuli said the Shri Mariammen Temple has for long been a light of hope, reflection and unity for the Hindu community in KZN.
He expressed his appreciation to the temple leadership and all members for their unwavering dedication in promoting spiritual growth, cultural heritage and humanitarian efforts over the years.
"Your contributions enriched the lives of those who worship here and also the larger part of our society. Today as we engage in prayer and reflection let us consider the significance of this gathering in our lives and the wider community.
"The acknowledgement of those who have made significant contributions in the lives of our people in our province and in our nation is very important, encouraging, inspiring hope about the future and has laid the foundation for the next generation to follow and do good not only for themselves but the entire nation," said Ntuli.
He said this annual prayer is a moment of devotion and opportunity for everyone to come together as one people regardless of the challenges they face.
"The stormy waters of life and geopolitics that often test our resolve make our faith and unity shine the brightest. We mustn't be divided because of what is happening. We must remain united
"As the government of KwaZulu-Natal we are committed to working alongside religious and community leaders to build a KZN where every person is valued, every voice is heard and every individual can thrive," said Ntuli.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh, used the platform at the Ammen awards to highlight gender-based violence
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Singh used the platform to highlight gender-based violence, describing it as a national crisis.
"Community organisations and schools must teach human values, rights and wrongs. We still find in South Africa, particularly KwaZulu-Natal we still live in a patriarchal society where men dominate. We must teach our sons and grandchildren that the man is supreme in the household. We must instil values and to treat each other equally," said Singh.
Selvan Naicker, chairperson of the Mount Edgecombe Hindu Temples Trust, said the noble initiative has, over the years, recognised and rewarded ordinary individuals who perform extraordinary acts of service, that make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
"For more than a century, the Shri Mariammen Temple Society has faithfully served the Hindu community, becoming the very epitome of Hindu tradition in the Southern Hemisphere. The Easter Prayer, now a treasured heritage, continues to draw thousands who flock to these sacred grounds to pay homage to the Divine Mother.
"The Ammen Awards have grown into an iconic event, inspiring countless members of our community to serve selflessly, uplift others, and embody the spirit of devotion and humanity. Today, as we celebrate the recipients of these awards, we also honour the enduring values of compassion, resilience, and unity that define our heritage," said Naicker.
Thakur-Rajbansi said the event is about appreciation and recognition of good citizenship."To the recipients this is no ordinary award, you are doing things that are making you successful, not just personally but publicly," she said.
The recipients in the seven categories of the awards included Balakisten and Lutchmi Govender and Guru Kirit Acharya for the promotion of Hindu religion, while the promotion of Eastern languages (Tamil) went to Papamma Naidoo (Sheila).
Awards in arts and culture went to Theshen Naicker (Aunty Sheila), Arish Sirkissoon (LX Seth) and Malin Kisten, while television personality Devi Sankaree Govender and Vishal Maharaj were recognised for excellence in media.
In sport, Kaiyuree Moodley and Charmaine Reddy received honours, while recipients for community socio-economic upliftment were Kasaval Venketes Ricky Naidoo, Pathmananthan Jay Alwar, Visvanathan Boston Moonsamy and Ashlin Ellan.
Ricky Naidoo also pledged a R250 000 donation towards the temple.
Excellence in education went to Westham Secondary who demonstrated consistent academic improvement especially in the matric pass rate, achieving a 100% pass in 2025.
Awardees for special recognition were Magesh Moodley, Roshan B Panday, Kumar Batohi, Yegambaram Dennis Padayachi, Reshmee Jaikishor, Pragalathan and Pavashni Sigamoney, Deon Chetty and Prahalad Sunny and Parasathi Roslyn Bhim.
Govender said it was a special award for her for a number of reasons.
She said her parents were accepting of her being anything she wanted to be.
"I owe everything not only to my parents but the Indian community of SA. I stand here on the shoulders of those who came before," she said.
Theshen Naicker said it was an honour to receive the award at the temple.
"I was introduced to this temple at nine-years-old and I witnessed my first miracle in this temple. I always say the purpose of life is a life of purpose. I've always taken my platform as Aunty Sheila and said if I cannot make a change in our life and change the mindsets of human beings with my arts, I will not do it.
"In that space as aunty Sheila I've touched on issues that the Indian community were scared to touch on like HIV and Aids, homosexuality, abuse in our homes. I touched all of that with the spirit of laughter and that has resonated with the community," he said.