The public can now cast their votes in the Best of Mbombela Readers’ Choice Awards, celebrating the city’s favourite local businesses. Voting is open until April 26. Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you through the process.

General questions

What is the “Best Of” competition?

The “Best Of” competition is a large-scale community recognition programme where the public nominates and votes for their favourite local businesses.

It celebrates excellence across a wide range of industries and highlights businesses that have earned the trust, loyalty and support of their communities. For many businesses, being recognised in the “Best Of” awards has become a highly respected local accolade, signalling strong community reputation and customer satisfaction.

Why does the competition matter to businesses?

Being nominated or winning a “Best Of” award is a powerful endorsement from the local community.

The results reflect the collective voice of thousands of voters and customers, who actively choose the businesses they trust and support.

With a legacy of more than 30 years in some regions, the awards have become widely recognised by the public as a credible indicator of a business’ popularity and reputation within its community. For customers, the awards often serve as a trusted guide when deciding where to shop, eat, or use services.

Many winners proudly display their “Best Of” recognition as a mark of distinction, similar to how well-known industry awards signal excellence within their sectors.

How does the competition work?

The competition runs in two main phases:

• Nominations Phase: The public nominates businesses in various categories.
• Voting Phase: Businesses that receive nominations are listed, and the public votes for their favourites.
The businesses with the most valid votes in each sub-category are recognised as winners.

How do I nominate a business?

During the nominations phase, you can nominate a business directly on the competition website. Simply select the appropriate sub-category and enter the business name. You may nominate as many businesses as you like across the different categories.

What happens after nominations close?

Once the nominations phase ends:
• All eligible nominated businesses are reviewed.
• Categories with more than one nominee proceed to the voting phase.
• The public can then vote for their favourite business in each category.

How are winners determined?

Winners are determined solely by the total number of valid votes received during the voting phase.

The business with the highest number of valid votes in each sub-category will be recognised as the winner. Results are verified to ensure the integrity and fairness of the competition.

Can I vote more than once?
Each voter may vote only once per sub-category (e.g. Best Shopping Centre). The online system includes safeguards such as IP monitoring and other verification methods to help ensure fair participation.

Questions for businesses

Do businesses need to register to participate?

No registration is required. Any business that receives at least one nomination during the nominations phase may become eligible to appear in the voting phase, provided the category has more than one nominee and the business meets the eligibility criteria.

Can businesses encourage customers to vote?

Yes. Businesses are welcome to let their customers and community know that they have been nominated and encourage them to participate. However, voting must always remain voluntary and fair, and attempts to manipulate the voting process are not permitted.

Does winning mean a business is officially certified or endorsed?

The “Best Of” awards are readers’ choice awards, based on voluntary public nominations and votes.

While they are widely recognised by the public as an indicator of strong reputation and customer support, the awards do not constitute a scientific comparison, professional accreditation, or regulatory certification.

Can a business be disqualified?

Yes. To protect the integrity of the competition, businesses may be disqualified if they:
• Attempt to manipulate the voting process
• Violate competition rules
• Engage in fraudulent or suspicious activity.
The organisers investigate irregular activity to ensure fairness for all participants.

What if my business is missing from the list?

If your business is not listed during the nominations phase, it may not yet have been nominated. Once nominations close, all eligible nominees are included in the voting phase. If you believe there has been an error, you can contact the organisers through the website for assistance.

Can results be disputed?

If there are concerns about the results, disputes must be submitted within seven days of the official announcement. All disputes will be reviewed, and the organisers’ decision will be final.

How is my personal information protected?

Personal information collected during the competition is processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Your data will only be used for competition-related communication and will not be shared with external parties without your consent. You can unsubscribe from communications at any time.

The “Best Of” competition is built on the spirit of community celebration, fairness and transparency. By participating, voters help highlight outstanding local businesses, while businesses gain recognition from the customers and communities they serve.

Vote HERE

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