Getting a nomination started
A strong nomination begins with the basics: the person’s full name, the town or area where they help, and a plain account of what they do for others. If the story is stronger than the form, slow down and write the facts in order, not in a rush.
Our team in Braamfontein works with nominations from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Polokwane and other parts of the country. The form can be used by family members, neighbours, school communities, patients, church groups or anyone who has seen the nominee in action.
- Say who the nominee is and what they do
- Explain the community they help
- Add dates, places or incidents where they matter
- Keep the story honest and specific
What makes a nomination stand up
Judging starts with clear, practical details. We look for service that is genuine, repeated and useful to other people, not just a one-off good deed. That can include steady care, quiet problem-solving, safety support or time given to a school, clinic, street, shelter or sports group.
If you are writing the nomination, keep the language plain. One strong example is better than three vague claims. Where possible, include a name of a place, the role the nominee plays, and what changed because they stepped in.
- Real examples carry more weight than praise alone
- Community impact should be easy to follow
- Long service is helpful, but so is clear local need
- Personal opinion is welcome, but facts matter more
Consent and privacy come first
Before a nomination is submitted, the nominee should know they are being put forward. Consent matters because the process may involve personal details, local contact information or a story that touches on private circumstances. If the nominee cannot give consent themselves, the situation needs careful handling and extra caution.
We keep sensitive information limited to what is needed for the review process. Details about health, family matters or hardship should only be included when they help explain the nomination and the nominee agrees to share them.
Useful evidence without overdoing it
Supporting material helps the judging process understand the nomination. Evidence does not need to be heavy or formal. A short written account, dates, photos where relevant, a community reference or a note from someone who has seen the work can be enough.
Do not send piles of unrelated material. A small set of relevant details is easier to review and keeps the focus on the nominee’s contribution.
- Photos should support the story, not replace it
- References should speak to real actions
- Keep documents readable and clearly labelled
- Only include what is needed for the nomination
Help with updating a nomination
Sometimes a nomination needs correction. A name may be spelled wrongly, a place may be missing, or a new piece of detail may help the review make better sense of the story. In those cases, use our contact form and explain what needs changing.
Updates should be brief and specific. If you are adding new facts, make sure they fit the original nomination and do not muddy the main point. The goal is to keep the record accurate, not to turn it into a different story.
Questions on the review process
People often want to know how the review is handled, what the judging criteria look for, and what happens after a submission is made. Our process is built around fairness, clarity and privacy, with each nomination considered on its own details.
If you are unsure whether a nominee fits the programme, or you are not sure which part of the form to use, the support team can point you to the right section. That includes eligibility, consent, judging criteria, public questions and privacy explained.
- Use the right section for the issue you have
- Keep questions tied to the nomination itself
- Public questions should stay respectful and specific
- Privacy concerns can be raised directly through our contact form