SA Hero Awards

Stories that begin with ordinary help

We look for the people who show up when a community needs steadiness more than noise. That includes volunteers, carers, teachers, first responders and neighbours who step in when a situation needs hands, time or patience.

A strong nomination tells a clear story in plain language. It explains what the nominee did, who benefited, where the help happened and why the action mattered to the people around them. Short, direct details carry more weight than long praise with no facts behind it.

• Describe the help in concrete terms, not general compliments.
• Include dates, places and the people affected where possible.
• Add notes on repeat effort, leadership or calm action under pressure.
• Use useful evidence such as photos, messages or community references when available.

How a nomination moves through the programme

Our process starts with the nomination itself. After that, the details are reviewed for eligibility, clarity and consent, then assessed against the judging criteria in a way that keeps the focus on the actual community contribution.

We keep the route practical. The nomination should say who is being recognised, what they did and why the story belongs in the awards programme. If a nomination needs more detail, the person submitting it can update the entry so the record matches the real situation.

• How To Nominate for public entries from across South Africa.
• Eligibility Check so the nomination fits the programme.
• Writing The Story for a clear, honest account.
• Useful Evidence to support what is being claimed.
• After You Submit for updating details if more context is needed.

Consent, privacy and sensitive details

Recognition should never put a person at risk or expose private information without care. That is why nominee consent matters, especially when the story touches health, family circumstances, safeguarding concerns or other sensitive matters.

We explain privacy in direct terms and keep sensitive information limited to what is necessary for review. When a nomination involves vulnerable people or private community work, the wording should stay respectful and specific without oversharing.

• Nominee Consent is required before a person is put forward.
• Privacy Explained covers how personal details are handled.
• Sensitive Information should only be included where it is necessary.
• Public Questions are handled with care so the nomination stays respectful.

Who sends nominations our way

Our programme serves people across Johannesburg and beyond who want to recognise quiet leadership in their own area. Families, neighbours, school communities, ward groups, faith groups and local organisations all use the nomination route when they want to put forward someone who has made a real difference.

We work with nominations from Braamfontein and across the country, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and Polokwane. Regional nomination areas are organised so the public can submit through the right channel without guessing where the entry belongs.

• Gauteng Nominations
• Western Cape Nominations
• KwaZulu-Natal Nominations
• Eastern Cape Nominations
• Limpopo Nominations
• Free State Nominations
• North West Nominations
• Mpumalanga Nominations

What the judging looks at in plain terms

Judging is grounded in the story that is submitted, not in noise around the nominee. The review looks at the nature of the help, the strength of the evidence, the effect on the community and whether the nomination is complete enough to be assessed properly.

Because the programme honours everyday people, the criteria value care, reliability and real local impact. A nomination that shows steady contribution over time can carry real weight, but one clear act of courage or kindness may also stand out if the detail is strong and the consent is in place.

• Clear account of what happened and who was helped.
• Evidence that supports the nomination without overloading it.
• Consent from the nominee before review.
• Respect for privacy, especially where family or health details appear.
• Consistency between the story, the evidence and the public record.

Braamfontein coordination, local names, one national programme

Our base in Braamfontein, Johannesburg keeps the programme close to the practical side of nominations. The team handles the moving parts of the process with clear roles, so the public knows where each part of the submission journey is managed.

Thandeka Nomvula Mokoena leads the programme as Managing Director, with Kagiso Daniel Molefe coordinating the programme, Ayesha Fatima Khan leading nominations, Siphesihle Zanele Dlamini on community outreach, Pieter Jacobus van Wyk on the judging process and Lerato Michelle Maseko on privacy and consent. That mix keeps the awards work organised, people-centred and careful with personal details.

For general enquiries and nomination support, people use our enquiry form on our contact page. The page is built around the same practical approach as the programme itself: clear steps, respectful wording and enough detail to make a nomination useful.