Read the story as a stranger would
Before you submit, read the nomination from the point of view of someone who does not know the person or the street where the help happened. The aim is to make the story plain, specific and fair. If a neighbour in Braamfontein stepped in after a clinic visit, say what they did, who benefited and what changed for the people around them.
Short sentences often help. Long, emotional wording can blur the point you want the judging team to see. Keep the focus on the action, the impact and the setting. A nomination that says exactly what happened is easier to assess than one that tries to sound grand.
- Name the person and their role in the community.
- Say what they did, not only how kind they are.
- Use dates, places and real examples where possible.
- Remove claims that cannot be checked.
Match the story to the judging criteria
The judging process looks for everyday service, clear contribution and evidence that the help was real. That does not mean the nomination needs polished language. It does need a clean link between the person, the action and the result. A teacher who stayed late to support learners, or a carer who organised transport for medical visits, gives a stronger case when the details are direct.
When you edit, ask whether every paragraph earns its place. If a sentence repeats the same point in different words, cut it. If the story jumps from one example to another without a clear thread, add a line that connects them. That small edit can make the submission easier to review.
- Keep the main act of service near the start.
- Show who was helped and how.
- Leave out praise that does not add proof.
- Check that the story fits the category you are using.
Consent needs to be clear before names go in
A nomination should not surprise the person being nominated. If you are naming them, use the consent step properly and keep that record safe. Some people are happy to be recognised, but still prefer not to have every detail shared widely. Others may want only their role mentioned, not private family information.
The privacy note matters just as much as the story itself. If the nomination includes a home address, a medical detail or a sensitive family issue, ask whether it is needed at all. Most strong nominations can be written without exposing private information. This is where a careful edit protects the nominee and the people around them.
- Ask for permission before submitting personal details.
- Leave out information that is not needed for judging.
- Use the minimum detail required to explain the action.
- Keep children, patients and vulnerable people protected.
Useful evidence should support the words
Evidence does not need to be dramatic. A photo, a short message from a community member, a volunteer record or a clear account of an event can help. The point is to back up the story, not to crowd it with attachments. A nomination with five weak files is still weaker than one with two clear pieces of support.
Check every file before you submit. Make sure names are spelled correctly, dates match the story and the evidence relates to the same person. If you are writing about a community helper in Soweto, for example, the support material should point to that person and that contribution, not to someone else with a similar role.
- Use evidence that links directly to the nomination.
- Check spelling, dates and captions.
- Only include material you are allowed to share.
- Trim anything that repeats the main story.
A local edit can make a nomination easier to trust
Think of a Free State nomination for a school cleaner who quietly helped learners get to class during heavy rain. If the first draft says only that the person is amazing, the review team still has little to work with. After editing, the story might explain how they arranged shelter, helped children keep their books dry and checked that younger learners reached the gate safely. That version gives shape to the kindness.
We also see submissions where the writer includes too much personal detail because they want to prove sincerity. A better edit trims the noise. Keep what helps the judging process understand the service, and remove what belongs in private conversation. Respectful wording is part of the nomination, not an afterthought.
When the story is calm, specific and respectful, it does the person justice without oversharing.
Final check before you press submit
One last read can catch small mistakes that change the meaning. A missing name, a wrong suburb or a mixed-up date can confuse the review process. If someone else can read the nomination and repeat the story back to you in one clear paragraph, the draft is probably in good shape.
Give your work one last tidy-up rather than a full rewrite. You are not trying to make the person sound bigger than they are. You are making the record accurate, fair and ready for review.
- Confirm the nominee’s name and contact details.
- Check that consent has been covered.
- Remove private information that is not needed.
- Read the text aloud to catch awkward wording.
If you need to raise a question about a nomination, our contact form is the place to do that. Keep the subject matter focused and the wording plain, so the team can work with the details you send.
