My name is Anelda Swart and I was a Volunteer of the Year nominee for the 2012 SPAR gsport Awards.
Life changing, humbling and inspiring are the words that come to mind when I think of my experience of being a nominee at the SPAR gsport Awards this year. How do you explain to someone the impact a room full of woman can make on one’s life, when no words can fully explain the experience?
Beginning November I got an email from gsport to inform me that I have been nominated for the Volunteer of the year award at this year’s event. To put my emotions plainly, I was floored.
I sent gsport an email back writing about my volunteering work, struggling to think of what could be regarded as “worth mentioning”. The whole time I’ve been volunteering for cycling, I never expected recognition or even a mention. I do it because I want to give back to those who deserve the recognition and support, the athletes. I wracked my brain and finally got an email together to send.
I had no idea what to expect for the next few weeks and never imagined that I would make the top three nominees in my category. You can imagine my confusion when I saw my name along with Faiek Cassiem and Anela Mahamba! After I got off the floor and sat back on my chair I noticed that a friend of mine Lauren Varty also made the top three nominees in the Up and Coming Athlete of the year category. Right there and then “Volunteer-Anelda” took over and the Support-Lauren-Varty-Campaign commenced!
Being in a position to support an athlete by rounding up votes for them through social media was such an honour. From the Wednesday that the voting started till Saturday 17 November when the voting ended I had one mission: Get people to vote on the gsport website. This was so much fun and very rewarding when you see the amount of people out there who rally around an athlete that only go out on the “field” to do their best.
Throughout the “campaigning” I didn’t even think of the nomination I received (this was the only category that wasn’t open to public voting and left to the judges to decide the winner). I received a call from gsport the Friday morning before the awards to finalise my transport to the venue. Everything suddenly became so real. Words can’t describe the excitement I felt…I was going to JHB! At the same time reality hit me: What am I going to wear?! Ha ha
November 20th did not start off normal at all… Firstly I’d like to set the record straight, I volunteer for cycling yes, but I absolutely, positively with no doubt, love my sleep! Now that we have that out the way you can understand what a 3:00 “wake-up call” could do to me (eish). Secondly I need to tell you that when I’m nervous and excited, I have a tendency to talk…a lot! Now imagine this start: Early, exciting, full of nerves, can’t stop talking – feel sorry for the person sitting next to me on the plane ☺
The drive to the airport was a buzz, it felt like the start of an adventure and I was the explorer. Laughter and fun, it seemed, was the order of the day as I couldn’t stop smiling and taking everything in.
HRG Rennies Travel took care of all our travel requirements. I have to say that at this point I felt so special and incredibly honoured to be on this journey. I’m an ordinary person, in an ordinary life, this doesn’t happen to someone like me, but for some reason it did.
On arrival to OR Tambo International Airport we met up with the Budget driver and waited for the rest of the SPAR gsport Awards travelling guests to arrive. In the ride to the venue the laughter continued and of course I was documenting all of this on twitter and to my delight , so was Liezel van der Westhuizen who was sitting next to me in our “bus”.
I met so many different people and celebrities before the awards ceremony started. I was swept up in the moment and my bubbly personality, as well as the fact that I talk a lot when nervous as mentioned before, definitely made sure that I stood out just a tad in the sea of faces, trying to take everything in so I didn’t forget anything.
Meeting Kass Naidoo was an incredible honour and definitely a highlight of my entire experience of the awards. What made such an impact on me was that upon meeting Kass, she knew exactly who I was. That attention to detail made me realise that I’m in the company of an incredible woman and that alone was so special and humbling. Here I am, talking to someone I would never have had the chance to meet under normal circumstances; all I can say (and think) is WOW!
Estee Lauder was there making sure that every nominee’s make-up looked absolutely fantastic and after more laughs and jokes I was ready to enjoy the awards ceremony…
Penny Heyns was guest speaker at this year’s awards ceremony. She spoke from the perspective of a swimmer and used analogies from her swimming career, but even though I don’t swim I could relate to so much she was saying. I was so inspired by everything she said, there is just too much to mention. I’m very confident that her “talk” made a lasting impact on every woman in that room.
Leanne Manas was a stunning sight as usual and was the MC for the morning. She then landed the bomb on me: First award will be Volunteer of the year… Excuse me? Now? I’m not ready…must be a mistake on the program…where’s the Event Manager?? Breathe… and the winner is…
Anela Mahamba won the award for Volunteer of the year and her reaction to hearing her name was priceless. She reminded me so much of myself and upon talking to her after the ceremony I realised I was correct. What an incredible young woman, her passion for sport is amazing and her personality is just as bubbly as mine, i.e. we clicked immediately!
The rest of the ceremony was so much fun, the acceptance speeches did not disappoint and gave the awards so much meaning. We laughed together (I don’t think we ever stopped that day) and soaked up all of the excitement and buzz from the stage.
After the awards ceremony we went on to such an important part of the day: the food. Nutrition is important to a woman you know, anyone that tells you otherwise is lying ha ha.
The organisers from the awards did not disappoint, attention to detail was given to every part of the day. Whether it was the lighting in the hall, the spread of food or the amazing Tip Top hamper we received after the ceremony (which I might add was right up my alley being a nail tech), you knew you were appreciated and special. The only thing I wish I could change was time, that the day would pass slower and I could make sure I didn’t miss anything.
I walked away from this year’s SPAR gsport Awards inspired, motivated and encouraged. I made connections with people I would never have met otherwise and shared stories with them that I never thought would ever reach their ears. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone at the airport, but at the same time I knew that we were all starting our real adventure upon heading home: being purpose driven in everything we set out to do.
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