Following on from our successful management of the KZN Vuna Awards which Event Solutions organised and managed in 2003 and 2004 and the KZN Premiers service excellence awards 2004, the JHB office of Event Solutions was successful in winning a national tender to organise the prestigious National Vuna Awards which takes place at the end of each year.
The Vuna awards are presented to municipalities that have excelled in service delivery. Entry is open to all the municipalities in South Africa, who compete against each other at a provincial level. The provincial winners in each category then compete against the other provincial winners in the national competition. The national Vuna award winners are chosen in the various categories, with the announcement of the national winners taking place at the National Vuna awards ceremony.
Our JHB office worked tirelessly to make the awards a huge success for the client which was the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) based in Pretoria. Event Solutions formed part of the management team of the Vuna awards along with staff from the DPLG, and the sponsors who are DBSA (Development Bank of South Africa), NPI (National Productivity Institute) and SALGA (South African Local Government Association) as well as the project management team from the Palmer development Group.
Approximately 1000 delegates responded to our invitation which was sent electronically and manually to all the local and district municipalities. Delegates arrived and our registration team were ready to manage the process and ensure delegates were accredited and ushered to the banquet venue after welcome drinks were enjoyed. Directional signage was also visible to delegates from the registration foyer up to the main venue as well as at the lift and escalator areas inside the convention centre.
The MC for the night was Ms Nikiwe Bikitshe from the SABC. She explained the awards background to the audience and the winners were presented with their prizes by the Minister of Provincial and Local Government in South Africa, Mr F.S Mufamadi and officials from the Department. The big winner was the top municipality in the country, Ethekwini Municipality from Durban, KZN – the prize was a cheque for R2 million. The famous Soweto String Quartet entertained the crowd and helped create the desired atmosphere. The entire awards process including the video footage of the municipalities who were short listed in the various categories, was scripted and the programme managed by Event Solutions.
All our suppliers – décor, technical, entertainment, registration, etc. were professionally managed and paid by Event Solutions. All liaisons with the venue including update meetings as well as planning committee meetings with the client were all conducted within our usual organised and professional approach.
The budget for this event was approximately R2 million. The client complimented Event Solutions on a job extremely well done!
