1. Start with the nominee’s full details
Begin with the person’s full name, the town or suburb where they help, and the community role you are nominating them for. Keep the details accurate and easy to read, because small errors can slow down a review or make follow-up questions harder to answer.
If the nomination is for someone in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha or Polokwane, say so clearly. The same applies across every province we cover, from Gauteng to Limpopo, so location should never be vague.
- Full name as it appears on official records
- Town, suburb or area
- Role or type of help they give
- Your own name and contact details
2. Tell the story in plain South African terms
A useful nomination does not need fancy wording. It needs a real story that explains what the person does, who benefits, and how long they have been doing it. A school helper, clinic volunteer, neighbour, teacher or first responder all need different details, so keep the wording specific.
Describe the situation as you know it. Mention the kinds of support they give, the people they help, and any local challenges they step into. If the nominee is known in a small community, explain that too, because local context matters more than polished language.
3. Check the evidence before you send it
Evidence helps a nomination feel grounded. It should support the story, not drown it. A few clear items are better than a long bundle of unclear files, and names, dates and places should match the written nomination.
- Photographs that show the work or community setting
- Messages, letters or notes from people they have helped
- Dates or time periods that place the work in context
- Short examples of the service they give
Use only material you are allowed to share. If a photo includes children, patients or vulnerable people, think carefully about permission and whether the image is suitable for review.
4. Get the nominee’s consent first
Before you submit, make sure the nominee knows they have been nominated and is happy for their details to be used in the process. Consent is not a small box to tick, it is part of treating people properly.
If you are nominating someone who works quietly in their community, explain what the programme does and what information may be reviewed. Keep the conversation simple and honest, especially where family members, carers or volunteers are involved.
- Tell them they are being nominated
- Explain what details you will submit
- Confirm they are comfortable with the process
- Avoid sharing anything they would not want public
5. Keep private or sensitive details tight
Some nominations involve illness, family hardship, safeguarding issues or private community situations. In those cases, include only what is needed to explain the nominee’s contribution. Sensitive facts should be handled with care and should never be included just to make the story sound stronger.
Privacy matters for the nominee and for the people around them. If a detail is not needed for the review process, leave it out. A strong nomination can still be powerful without exposing more than necessary.
6. Match your wording to the judging criteria
The judging process looks for community value, real contribution and evidence that the nominee’s help makes a difference. It also helps when the nomination is clear about the scale of the work, whether that is one street, one school, one clinic or a wider neighbourhood effort.
Try to show the following points in your own words:
- What problem or need the nominee steps into
- Who benefits from their actions
- How consistent their help is
- Why their contribution stands out in the community
Keep the focus on what the nominee has actually done. Avoid broad praise without examples, because the review process works better when the facts are plain.
7. Final pass before our contact form
Read the nomination once more before you submit it through our contact form. Check spelling, file names, contact details and whether the story still makes sense to someone who does not know the nominee personally.
This final pass also helps you spot gaps. If a section feels thin, add one more practical example rather than a bigger claim. If the nomination is already clear, leave it as it is and send it in with confidence.
- Are the details complete and correct?
- Does the story show real community help?
- Is consent in place?
- Have you kept private information under control?
