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Public Protector, advocate Thuli Madonsela, has expressed her gratitude for the continuous public recognition of her office's efforts as seen through, among other things, the "newsmaker of year" votes on different platforms.
Reacting to the latest such honour from Rapport newspaper, which came with a generous R5000 prize to be donated to a charity of her choice, the Public Protector said she was humbled by the unexpected gesture.
"I am always mindful," she said, "of the fact that although the accolades are personalised, the work being recognised is the outcome of the collective efforts of the entire Public Protector team."
The Public Protector chose to donate the money to Agstelaan informal settlement in Valhalla Park, Cape Town, saying she believed the funds would make a difference to the lives of the people at the dwelling.
The settlement was recently gutted by fire, leaving hundreds of families homeless and destitute.
Her spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, says "while humbled by the confidence the public continues to show in her office, the Public Protector noted that her office was not the only institution engaged in the promotion of good governance in state affairs, saying there were many other bodies within the oversight sector that deserved recognition.'
"She congratulated other personalities that got the public's nod, reminding the nation that it was important for everyone to play a role in ensuring an accountable state that operates with integrity while being responsive to the needs of the people," he added.
