Public Protector Thuli Mandonsela expressed gratitude to the public after she was named “newsmaker of the year” by Rapport newspaper.
“I am always mindful… 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,” Madonsela said in a statement.
She said with the title she had been given R5000 to donate to a charity of her choice.
The public protector donated the money to the Agstelaan informal settlement in Valhalla Park, Cape Town. She believed the funds would make a difference to its residents. Hundreds of families lost their homes and possessions after a fire gutted the area last week.
Madonsela said it was important to note that besides her office, there were other institutions promoting good governance in the country.
