Sikh Awards mark 15 years of  celebrating global excellence

SA: From community service and education to business, entertainment and sport, the achievements of Sikhs around the world took centre stage as the 15th Sikh Awards brought together distinguished personalities from different countries to celebrate excellence, leadership and service to humanity.

Held at Summer Place in Sandton on October 10, 2026, the landmark ceremony marked the first time the international awards were hosted in South Africa, opening a new chapter in an initiative that has grown into a platform for recognising Sikh contributions across continents.

The anniversary celebration attracted community leaders, business figures, international Sikh personalities and other distinguished guests, reflecting the global reach of a community whose contributions extend beyond cultural and geographical boundaries.

One of the evening’s major highlights was the presentation of a Special Recognition Award to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, acknowledging the relationship between the Sikh community and South Africa, as well as the importance of interfaith understanding, social cohesion and cooperation among communities.

The choice of Johannesburg for the 15th anniversary was particularly significant. After previous ceremonies in international cities including New Delhi, Dubai and Vancouver, bringing the awards to South Africa recognised the longstanding presence and contribution of Sikh communities across Africa.

From commerce and industry to education, philanthropy and community development, Sikh individuals and organisations have played important roles in the development of societies in which they live.

The Johannesburg ceremony provided an opportunity to acknowledge these contributions while strengthening connections among Sikh communities and their partners around the world.

Sponsored by the Gurdwara of Johannesburg, the event also underscored the importance of community institutions in preserving cultural heritage, promoting service and bringing people together across generations.

Harbinder Singh Sethi, a trustee of the Gurdwara of Johannesburg, described hosting the awards as a privilege, particularly as the organisation marked its 15th anniversary.

He said bringing the international celebration to Johannesburg offered an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the Sikh community, strengthen international relationships and recognise individuals whose work had made a difference in their respective fields.

The occasion also offered a platform for highlighting the contribution of Sikh communities throughout Africa, where generations have participated in business, education, social welfare and other areas of public life.

For the organisers, the anniversary represented more than a celebration of individual success. It reaffirmed the importance of recognising achievements that inspire others and encourage a continuing commitment to society.

Dr Navdeep Singh Bansal, Director of The Sikh Awards Company in London, said reaching the 15th anniversary while bringing the event to South Africa marked an important milestone in the organisation’s international journey.

He noted that Sikh communities had contributed significantly to countries across Africa and other parts of the world, adding that the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate individuals and organisations whose work continued to make a positive difference.

The initiative, he explained, was established to create an international platform that recognises excellence, encourages younger generations and unites people around shared values of service, enterprise, education and unity.

These principles were reflected in the diversity of the 2026 award recipients, whose achievements spanned charity, education, entertainment, professional life, media, sport and community service.

Global Sikhs from India received the Charity Award in recognition of work in the philanthropic sector, while South Sea Punjabi School from Kenya received the Education Award, highlighting the importance of learning and the preservation of educational and cultural values.

The Entertainment Award went to Diljit Singh Dosanjh, representing the United States, while the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Ajmer Singh Jandu from Tanzania.

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Jandu’s recognition placed Tanzania among the countries represented in this year’s celebration, highlighting the contribution of Sikh personalities associated with different parts of the world.

In the media category, Simranjot Singh Makkar from India received the Media Award, while Ravinder Singh Pabla, also from India, won the People’s Choice Award.

Dashminder Kaur Thethy from Kenya received the Profession Award, recognising achievement in professional life, while Iqbal Singh Sablok from India was honoured with the Seva Award, which celebrates the principle of selfless service.

The Sports Award went to Sandeep Singh from India, reflecting the contribution of Sikh personalities to sporting achievement and the influence of sport in inspiring discipline, determination and teamwork.

President Ramaphosa received the Special Recognition Award, adding a public leadership dimension to a ceremony otherwise centred on achievements across professional and community fields.

Together, the recipients represented different expressions of Sikh achievement, demonstrating how individuals and organisations can contribute to their communities through professional excellence, cultural influence, education, philanthropy and public service.

The range of categories also illustrated the awards’ intention to recognise achievement beyond conventional measures of success. Community service and educational development stood alongside entertainment, sport and professional accomplishment, reflecting a broad understanding of leadership and social contribution.

At the heart of the celebration was the concept of seva, the Sikh principle of selfless service to others. The principle places service to humanity at the centre of individual and collective responsibility, encouraging people to use their abilities and resources to improve the lives of others.

The recognition of charity and community service alongside business, media and entertainment reinforced the idea that achievement carries a wider responsibility to society.

The ceremony also drew attention to the importance of interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence in increasingly interconnected societies. The presentation of the Special Recognition Award to President Ramaphosa highlighted the value of relationships between communities, institutions and national leadership.

By bringing together guests from South Africa and abroad, the event created opportunities for cultural exchange, networking and stronger international relationships.

The Johannesburg edition further acknowledged the historical presence of Sikh communities throughout Africa and their continuing participation in the continent’s economic, social and cultural development.

For the organisers, hosting the anniversary in South Africa was therefore both a recognition of these contributions and an opportunity to strengthen the awards’ engagement with the continent.

Established in 2012, The Sikh Awards recognises outstanding Sikh individuals and organisations across a range of fields, including charity, business, education, entertainment, media, professional life, sport and community service.

Its international programme seeks to give visibility to achievements that might otherwise receive limited recognition beyond local communities, while encouraging younger generations to pursue excellence and remain connected to the values of service and responsibility.

As the organisation moves beyond its 15th anniversary, the Johannesburg ceremony provides a foundation for further international engagement.

For Dr Bansal and his colleagues, the continuing ambition is to expand recognition of Sikh achievement, celebrate contributions across different countries and create opportunities for future generations to make a positive difference.

The 15th Sikh Awards thus marked not only a milestone in the organisation’s history but also a celebration of the people and institutions whose work demonstrates that excellence is most meaningful when it contributes to the wider good.

By placing Johannesburg at the centre of this year’s international gathering, the awards reaffirmed a message that transcends borders: achievement becomes a lasting legacy when it is accompanied by service, unity and a commitment to improving society.