Helping a local story reach the right form
Community outreach works best when people understand that a nomination is not a long essay. It is a clear account of what someone did, who benefited, and why the work matters in daily life. In Braamfontein and across Johannesburg, that usually means helping residents turn informal praise into a proper submission with names, dates, places and a short story that can be checked.
Groups can support nominations by explaining the basics in plain language. A neighbour who checks on elderly residents, a teacher who organises extra reading time, or a volunteer who helps during a flood all have different stories, but the same principle applies: describe what happened and what was seen first hand.
What makes a nomination worth reading
A strong nomination gives enough detail for the judging process to understand the work without guessing. It does not need polished language. It does need facts, context and a clear link between the person’s actions and the community result.
- Use the nominee’s full name and the area where the work happened.
- Explain the help given, not only the person’s job title or role.
- Add a short timeline, even if the work happened over several months.
- Include one or two people who can confirm the story if needed.
- Keep the tone factual, especially where the work involved children, patients or vulnerable people.
Outreach teams can encourage residents to avoid vague lines such as “they do a lot for everyone”. Specific examples carry more weight and help the nomination stand on its own.
How to guide people through consent
Consent matters before a nomination is shared publicly or even submitted for review. The nominee should know they are being put forward, what information will be shared, and whether photographs or contact details are included. If a person is being nominated for sensitive or private work, keep the details minimal and relevant.
Our privacy and consent checks are there to protect the nominee and the people mentioned in the story. A community group can help by speaking to the nominee early, recording their permission in writing where possible, and avoiding assumptions that a good deed automatically means open publicity.
- Tell the nominee what the programme is for.
- Explain which details will appear in the submission.
- Remove unnecessary personal information before sending it in.
- Do not include medical, family or location details unless they are needed and approved.
Useful evidence without making the file heavy
Evidence should support the nomination, not drown it. A short note from a resident, a dated photograph, a letter from a school, or a record of a local initiative can all help. The aim is to show that the story is real, recent enough to verify, and connected to everyday community life.
When groups in Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha or Polokwane help residents prepare material, they should keep it tidy and relevant. Too many attachments can make a nomination harder to follow, while two or three good items often tell the story better than a pile of loose documents.
- Keep files clearly named if you upload documents.
- Make sure photos show the person or the activity being described.
- Use documents that match the dates and facts in the story.
- Leave out anything that reveals private matters without consent.
What groups can do before submission day
Community outreach is often about practical encouragement. A local organiser, ward group, church, youth club or school can run a short information session and help people complete the nomination in one sitting. In many places, the main barrier is not the story itself, but knowing what to write and what to leave out.
A simple checklist can keep the process steady for first-time nominators. It also reduces the number of incomplete submissions that need later correction.
- Confirm that the nominee is eligible for the programme.
- Gather the story, supporting facts and any consent note.
- Check that the contact details are correct and current.
- Review the submission for private or sensitive information.
- Use our contact form if the group needs help with a nomination already in progress.
After a nomination is sent in
Once a nomination has been submitted, it enters the review process. That means the details may be checked against the criteria, the consent note may be reviewed, and any missing information may affect how complete the nomination appears. Community groups can help by keeping a copy of what was sent and by staying ready to update a nomination if facts need correcting.
It helps to remember that a nomination is stronger when it stays true to the work done on the ground. A neat story, fair consent and basic supporting evidence are usually enough to show how someone contributes to their area without turning the submission into a long report.
