JORDAN MOSHE
“We’re hoping that the award will generate greater interest amongst sponsors and participants to help us take the project even further,” Hazdan says.
“Having been recognised by the premier, we hope to gain momentum, and take this programme to different cities and communities across the country.
“The premier stressed the need to recognise excellence in our province, and the investment people are making in others,” says Hazdan. “His motivation for the recognition is that it will promote greater excellence in Gauteng and encourage the creation of more initiatives and involvement.”
With award categories including economic growth and sustainable development, the Gauteng provincial government paid tribute to businesses, nongovernmental organisations, and communities whose projects have contributed to improving lives.
Motivated by Wendy Kahn, the National Director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Hazdan submitted an application on behalf of Cycalive towards the end of last year.
Every year Hazdan, the programme’s founder, brings together Grade 11 students from Torah Academy, two schools in Soweto, and an Afrika Tikkun team from Orange Farm in a relay cycle ride from Johannesburg to Durban.
Taking place over five days, the ride fosters tolerance and inspires leadership and camaraderie among young South Africans of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
In recent years, the Jewish Agency’s diaspora-connection project, Partnership2Gether, has sponsored the participation of an Israeli team from Bet Shemesh in Israel.
Hazdan believes that this prestigious award will bolster the programme to build on decades of past successes, and help to reinvigorate its commitment to investing in the positive future of young South Africans.
