This business-focused competition will honour and encourage business excellence and best practice in the North Coast area with the general public playing a vital role in nominating businesses for awards in various categories.

Different businesses stand the chance to be awarded this badge of honour and certificate of excellence within one of 10 different categories that have been identified. The best of the best will be recognised in the industries of: Dining, Nightlife & Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Body & Soul, Kids & Family, Shopping, Active Lifestyle, Hotels & Destinations, Services and Property.

From now until Monday, 31 August 2015, locals will be encouraged to nominate their favourite business in the area by SMS or online voting. These votes will then be assessed and shortlisted for an award by a panel of five judges who will go on to select three finalists based on specific criteria. The top three finalists in all categories will be invited to attend a special awards ceremony that will be hosted by the luxurious Fairmont Resort in early September 2015 to see who will be crowned the Best of the Best.

The panel of judges are made up of five businessmen and women with expertise in different fields of business, whose job it will be to identify the best of the best from all the nominated entries. Justin Scott, CEO of FabMags, is excited to see what the awards will do for the morale of businesses in the North Coast area.

Scott added, “We’re hoping that this award will give businesses in Ballito and the greater North Coast area something to aspire to and be proud of. Apart from receiving a badge of honour, there are other benefits for businesses that win, which includes ‘free’ substantial exposure and profiling of the business in the popular and widely circulated Ballito Magazine, as well as the right to use the Best of the Best badge in whatever way they choose to promote themselves for the year.”

Thami Mkhwanazi CEO of Enterprise ilembe believes the introduction of these awards into the community will also mean that all businesses nominated and the eventual winners will have to continue striving for improved service excellence to make sure they maintain the public’s interest and support even after the award winners have been announced.

“We are delighted to be part of this initiative which is sure to be a catalyst for the improvement of business practice and service in the ever-developing business landscape of the region,“ stated Mkhwanazi.

All category winners will receive a trophy to cement their status as the Best of the Best that they can use to boast about their achievement and the company will also be featured in the October edition of the Ballito Magazine.

The public can starting voting online now or by SMSing “Best, (business name), and (your email address)” to 33903.