Start with the person, not the tragedy
When a nomination mentions loss, begin with the person’s role in the community and the support they gave, then explain the difficult period in plain language. Do not turn the story into a dramatic scene. A good nomination says what happened, how it affected the nominee, and what they did afterwards for others.
It helps to keep the details human and factual. If a neighbour carried meals after a family bereavement, or a teacher stayed close to learners during a hard time, say that directly. You do not need long emotional language to make the point.
- Name the action, not only the feeling.
- Use dates or time periods only if they matter to the story.
- Leave out anything that feels private but adds no value.
Gentle wording still needs clear facts
People should be able to understand what the nominee did, who benefited and why the nomination matters. Phrases like “went through a difficult loss” can be enough, if the nomination then shows the support they gave in their street, school, clinic or church group. If the loss is central to the story, keep the wording respectful and simple.
A nomination is stronger when it avoids vague praise. Instead of saying someone was “amazing during a painful time”, explain the actual help they gave. For example, they organised meal drops for three homes in Yeoville, or checked on older residents in a block of flats in Braamfontein after a family loss. Those details carry weight without overdoing the tone.
- Choose ordinary words over heavy emotional language.
- Avoid labels that sound clinical or overly personal.
- Write enough to show impact, not every private detail.
Consent matters when the story is personal
If the nomination includes grief, illness or family loss, the nominee should know the story is being shared. Consent is not a box to tick lightly. It is part of respect. A person may be proud of the support they gave, but not want private family matters opened up in public.
Where the nominee is a minor, or where a family member is speaking on their behalf, the wording should stay careful and limited to what is needed for the nomination. Our contact form can be used to raise questions about nominee consent, privacy and sensitive information before a submission is completed.
- Ask permission before naming family circumstances.
- Do not include children’s personal details unless essential.
- Keep health and bereavement information as brief as possible.
What makes a strong nomination in a hard season
A nomination about loss works best when it shows action. Judges look for a clear link between the difficult event and the nominee’s contribution to other people. The strongest entries usually explain the challenge, the response and the effect on the community in a few direct paragraphs.
Useful evidence can be modest. A short witness note, a school letter, a church note, or a community statement may support the story if it matches the text. Evidence should never be forced. If the nomination is already clear, add only what helps confirm the story.
- State who the nominee helped and where.
- Explain what changed because of their efforts.
- Keep documents relevant, readable and limited.
Privacy lines that protect the family
Private information should stay private unless it is needed for the nomination to make sense. That means leaving out full medical histories, home addresses, identity numbers and unrelated family details. A good rule is simple: if the detail does not help explain the nominee’s community work, leave it out.
In Johannesburg and across the country, families often share stories in close-knit neighbourhoods where everyone knows one another. That makes careful wording even more important. A nomination can still be specific without naming every relative or describing every part of the loss.
- Use the least personal detail that tells the story well.
- Remove sensitive material that is not needed.
- Check that the text would still feel fair if read aloud in public.
A Braamfontein example that stays respectful
Imagine a nomination from Soweto about a school support worker whose sibling died during the year. The story might explain that, while dealing with family grief, the nominee kept helping learners with homework, walked younger children home after class and checked on two elderly neighbours who lived alone. That is enough to show care, steadiness and community value.
The same approach works in Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha or Polokwane. The place changes, but the writing rule stays the same: keep the story factual, respectful and limited to what the nomination needs. If the nominee prefers some details left out, that preference should be followed.
- Use local place names only where they add value.
- Show the nominee’s role in ordinary community life.
- Do not turn personal loss into public drama.
Reviewing before you send the nomination
Before submission, read the nomination as if you know nothing about the family. Ask whether the story still makes sense, whether it sounds fair, and whether any line feels too exposed. If the answer to any of those is no, trim it back.
A careful review also helps with tone. A strong nomination honours the person without overexplaining pain. It gives judges enough detail to understand the help offered, the people affected and the nominee’s place in the community. For questions about changing a nomination, privacy or sensitive information, our contact form is the best place to begin.
- Check names, places and facts for accuracy.
- Cut any sentence that feels too private.
- Make sure the story sounds respectful from start to finish.
