Youth not wasted on our Rising Stars

The number 25 in Judaism signifies grace and glory, and it’s fortuitous that this is the SA Jewish Report’s and the Jewish Achiever Awards’ 25th anniversary year. It’s also the age at which our budding stars move out of the running for the Rising Star Award.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, South Africa had just completed its second democratic elections, Thabo Mbeki was president, and there were jitters in the air about the Y2K virus. It was then that the brand new SA Jewish Report and later the inaugural Jewish Achiever Awards were launched. At the twilight of the 20th century, South Africa and its Jewish community were pushing forward and building a foundation for the next generation.

“We have our own version of the ‘born frees’, those within our community who were born after 1999, who have grown up and have never known a time before the SA Jewish Report,” says Howard Sackstein, the chairperson of the SA Jewish Report and Absa Jewish Achiever Awards.

“To them, we pay a special tribute. They are the future leaders of South Africa and the future leaders of our community. That’s why we wanted to encourage and foster them. We wanted to recognise them and acknowledge the contribution that they make even at the tender age of under 25,” Sackstein says.

“We want to acknowledge their uniqueness and celebrate them in a fitting manner. That’s why we relaunched the Rising Star Award, an award for those under the age of 25 on the date of the awards who have contributed so greatly to our community and South Africa at large.”

Last year, 14 nominees ranging from entrepreneurs to student activists as well as an actor, singer/songwriter, and a sportsman found themselves shortlisted for the coveted award. Matriculant and head boy of King Edward VII School, David Teeger, who was at the time the captain of the Proteas Under-19 cricket team, took home the Rising Star Award. In doing so, Teeger set the benchmark for what it means to be a rising star when he went on to represent South Africa at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Teeger proved his mettle as a star in the dignity and strength he showed when he became the focus of antisemitism when Cricket South Africa took away his captaincy of the Under-19 team ostensibly to appease the anti-Israel lobby.

The Rising Star Award acknowledges and rewards those who go way beyond expectation for someone of their age. It’s awarded to someone who is innovative and doesn’t see their youth as a barrier to doing what they do. A rising star is someone who is making a real difference long before there are any expectations of her or him.

While the average age of world leaders is on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly evident that now is the time to pass the torch to a new generation.

Passion and dedication go a long way to help fuel the ambition of our rising stars, with many excelling in fields such as sport, culture, humanitarian endeavours, education, and entrepreneurship. Israel is commonly known as the start-up nation, while South Africa is increasingly becoming the do-it-yourself nation. This has however opened doors and created opportunities for rising stars to thrive and make their mark at a very exciting stage of their lives.

Much like having water running through our taps and electricity with no loadshedding, our rising stars can’t and won’t be taken for granted. Nominate those you know in our community who are helping build a better future and deserve this Rising Star Award. To nominate, go to https://bit.ly/ja2024nom