The award, presented to Brian Ingpen, head of the Simon's Town-based Lawhill Maritime Centre by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General, Koji Sekimizu, recognised Lawhill's effectiveness in helping to address youth unemployment and poverty in South Africa by providing students with maritime-related skills while they were still at school.
More than 300 young South Africans have graduated from the programme since its inception, many of them pursuing successful careers in the maritime industry, both ashore and at sea, while others have made their mark in other industries.
Ingpen paid tribute to all those who have supported the programme for the past 17 years, particularly those organisations and individuals who have provided bursaries which has made it possible for financially-stressed young South Africans to obtain a quality education.
Commenting on the Lawhill's win, Safmarine CEO Grant Daly, said the Lawhill programme has made, and continues to make, a real and visible difference in the lives of many young South Africans and they are proud to be associated with this programme.
