DURBAN - Durban's well-known businessman and philanthropist, Vivian Reddy managed to add to his list of various accolades as he was awarded a Unisa merit award.
Unisa Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Mandla S Makhanya presented Reddy with the merit on behalf of UNISA Bureau of Market Research at a function in Pretoria.
Prof DH Tustin Head of the Research Unit, said, “Unisa Bureau of Market Research strives to acknowledge extraordinary South Africans who make a significant contribution to the lives of children. Through Mr Reddy’s philanthropy and support of numerous educational and welfare organizations, community centres, health associations, feeding schemes, conservation programs, peace and cultural initiatives. Unisa noted that Mr Reddy is making an immense difference in the lives of children and their families.”
Vice Chancellor Prof Makhanya, further added, "To date, Mr Reddy has provided numerous educational bursaries to deserving students and launched the Orphans of Aids Trust, which he also continues to sponsor. Reddy executes his philanthropy through his patronage of several organisations in the areas of education, religion, the disabled, welfare organizations, community centres ( including feeding schemes ), health associations, conservations programmes as well as peace and cultural initiatives."
Reddy said he was overwhelmed by the kind warm gesture of UNISA.
"All of this recognition encourages me to strive on with greater commitment to uplift the less fortunate among us. A rich man is poor when he cannot reach out to the less fortunate that surrounds us.”
He was recognised as a ‘Community Hero’ by the impoverished community of Bayview flats in Chatsworth, KwaZulu- Natal. The construction of the Bayview Flats Community Centre and soup kitchen also seems guaranteed to buttress the lasting legacy of Vivian Reddy’s contribution to this community.
Reddy’s magnanimous philanthropic contributions have earned untold accolades of praise, awards and worldly sentiments from recognised leaders, including President Nelson Mandela and President Bill Clinton.
Reddy adds the Unisa Merit award to his already impressive collection of awards which includes the likes of the Paul Harris International Fellowship Award for the development of previously disadvantaged people in South Africa. Earlier this year, he also received a lifetime international award for social, philanthropy and business success at the House of Commons in London, which is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The award recognizes individuals who have made a difference in their local communities.
Despite his national and worldly acclaims, Vivian Reddy remains a man of simple grace, a generous philanthropist, changing Africa- a true son of South Africa. With this confession and taking note of the many international and local awards bestowed on Mr Reddy, Unisa as a social agent and committed to the uplifting of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children, regards itself as the leading higher education institution to acknowledge the inspirational work of Vivian Reddy.”