Nominations from Mahikeng to the farming belts
North West entries often arrive from Mahikeng, Rustenburg, Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Brits and surrounding villages where community work is easy to see but not always easy to document. A strong nomination names the person clearly, explains what they do, and sets out how their help changes daily life for others.
We cover nominations from schools, clinics, youth groups, faith spaces, street committees and households where one person quietly takes on extra responsibility. The best submissions use plain facts, not praise alone. If someone helps with meals, transport, safety, tutoring or care, say who they help, what they do, and how often it happens.
- Tell the nominee’s full name and the area they serve.
- Describe the work in direct language, without exaggeration.
- Add dates, places or routines where you can.
- Include photographs, letters or messages only when relevant.
What makes a useful nomination file
Judging starts with a nomination that can be understood without guessing. A short story can work well if it is specific. For North West communities, that often means explaining a local need such as school support, home-based care, neighbourhood safety or disaster help after storms and flooding.
We look for clear context, not polished writing. A grandmother who cooks for learners, a volunteer who checks on elderly neighbours, or a first responder who arrives before help is called can all be nominated if the story shows real service. If the nomination is based on hearsay, it is harder to assess.
- State the nominee’s role in the community.
- Show the impact in everyday terms.
- Use dates, events or long-running routines where possible.
- Keep the focus on the nominee’s actions, not on opinion.
Consent and privacy for local submissions
Before you submit a nomination, make sure the nominee knows their name is being entered and understands the purpose of the programme. Consent matters, especially where a story includes family details, a workplace, a school or a health-related situation. When someone cannot consent directly, the circumstances need careful handling.
We also treat sensitive information carefully. Do not add private medical details, children’s personal records, or anything that is not needed to explain the nomination. If a photograph includes other people, check whether they are comfortable with it being shared for review. Privacy is part of the process, not an afterthought.
- Ask permission before sending the nomination.
- Leave out private details that do not support the case.
- Use the minimum information needed to explain the story.
- Keep contact details limited to what is necessary.
Practical help for townships, farms and smaller settlements
North West has busy urban centres and long stretches of rural road, so nominations often come from places with different daily realities. A school principal in a town might write one kind of submission, while a resident in a smaller settlement may need help shaping the same story into clear points. Our service area covers that range.
We handle the nomination process in a plain, organised way. That includes helping with the story, checking eligibility, setting out useful evidence and explaining how the judging review works. Where the nomination comes from a place with weak signal or limited paperwork, keep the details as complete as you can before sending them through our contact form.
- Guidance for city, township and rural nominations.
- Help with wording that stays accurate and fair.
- Support for documents, statements and photos.
- Review of updates if new facts need to be added.
How the judging review is handled
The judging process looks at whether the nominee fits the purpose of the awards, whether the story is credible, and whether the supporting details make sense. The focus is on everyday service, not public profile. A nomination can be strong even when the person has never been formally recognised before.
We also consider the quality of the evidence and whether the nomination respects privacy and consent. A clear account from one reliable person can be useful, while scattered claims with no detail are harder to work with. Public questions about the process are welcome through our contact page form.
- Fit with the community-service purpose of the programme.
- Clarity of the nomination story.
- Support from evidence where available.
- Careful handling of consent and private information.
Submitting from North West through our contact form
If you are sending a nomination from North West, use our contact form on the contact page and include the nominee’s name, area and main reason they should be considered. If you are updating a submission, mention what has changed so the file stays readable. That helps when the nomination comes from Rustenburg industrial areas, Potchefstroom student communities or farming districts with different local details.
Our Braamfontein, Johannesburg base supports nominations across the province, with the same structure used for every area. We cover the questions that usually sit around the nomination itself, including how to write the story, what evidence helps, and how privacy is explained in plain terms. Keep the information factual and leave out anything that does not help the review.
- Use the contact page form for new nominations and updates.
- Include the area, the nominee and the reason for recognition.
- Send only the details that support the nomination.
- Keep sensitive material out unless it is genuinely needed.
