It’s been just a few short weeks since 24-hour news channel ANN7 announced it was launching a search for the South African of the Year but the list of nominees has now been finalised. Now the public is invited to vote for the people in each category they believe are deserving of the honour. (See process below.)
Finalists in the South African of the Year award are Archbishop Desmond Tutu, public protector Thuli Mandonsela, Free State University’s Professor Jonathan Jansen, musician Johnny Clegg, chair of the African Union Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, DJ Sbu and Proudly South Africa’s Leslie Sedibe.
Another category called for the best campaign of the year, and this includes KFC’s Add Hope, 67 blankets for Mandela and the Share a Coke campaign, among others.
Kaya FM talkshow host John Perlman was nominated for his Dreamfields project in the Spirit of Humanity category and media mogul Basetsana Kumalo in the Businessperson of the Year category. Simphiwe Mashexa founder of BEAT Magazine, was nominated in the Young South African of the Year category.
The winners of categories, and the title of South African of the Year, will be announced at an event next month that will feature DJ Sbu, Trevor Gumbi, Zuluboy, Nonhle Thema, Maps Maponyane, Gert Coetzee, Mika Stefano, David Tlale, Mafikizolo, among others. Highlights of the evening include live performances by award winning songstress Zahara, The Muses and acclaimed South African DJ Roxxi.
Trendsetting Celebrity of the Year Nominations
- Bonang Matheba
- DJ Clock
- J’ Something
- Kid X
- KO from Teargas
- Mafikizolo
- Minenhle Dlamini
Campaign of the Year Nominations
- 67 Blankets Nelson Mandela
- KFC- Add Hope
- Kelloggs #breakfastforbetterdays
- Knorr- Masters of Time
- Mxit Music
- Share a Coke Campaign
- Tiles 4 Change (Anti-Drug Campaign)
Sportsperson of the Year Nominations
- Chad le Clos (Swimming)
- Hashim Amla (Cricket)
- Itumeleng Khune (Soccer)
- Johan Cronje (Track and Field Athlete)
- Lucas Sithole (Tennis)
- Marsha Cox (Hockey)
- Simon Maghakwe (100m Sprinter)
Businessperson of the Year Nominations
- Basetsana Kumalo (Media Mogul)
- Daphne Mashile Nkosi (Exec. Chairman of Kalagadi Resources)
- Nicky Newton King (CEO of JSE)
- Patrice Motsepe (Mining Magnate)
- Reuel Khoza (Non-Executive Chairman of Nedbank)
- Santie Botha (Independent Non Exec. Director of Tiger Brands)
- Stephen Saad (Group CEO of Aspen Pharmacare)
Spirit of Humanity Nominations
- Beka Ntsanwisi (Limpopo’s “Mother Teresa”)
- Dr Imtiaz Sooliman (Gift of the Givers)
- John Perlman (Dreamfields)
- Justin Foxton (The Peace Agency)
- Lesley Osler (Hantam Community Project)
- Rev. Eunice Marubelela (Community Builder)
- Sbu Buthelezi (Community Builder)
Young South African of the Year Nominations
- Afeefah Patel (Rhino Conservation)
- Ethel Phiri (Scientist and Researcher)
- Kyle Shepherd (Jazz Musician)
- Nkululeko Mboniswa (Film Producer)
- Samantha Baynon (Social Activist)
- Sandile Kubeka (Youngest Doctor)
- Simphiwe Mashexa (Founder of BEAT Magazine SA)
South African of the Year
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- DJ Sbu
- Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
- Johnny Clegg
- Jonathan Jansen
- Leslie Sedibe
- Thuli Madonsela
Voting is open to the public from 1st August till 22nd August 2014. People can vote for their favourite extraordinary South Africans as follows;
To vote for Trendsetting Celebrity
SMS CELEB + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email CELEB + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for Campaign of the Year
SMS CAMP + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email CAMP + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for Sportsperson of the Year
SMS SPORTS + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email SPORTS + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for Businessperson of the Year
SMS BIZS + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email BIZS + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for Spirit of Humanity
SMS HUMAN+ [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email HUMAN + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for Young South African of the Year
SMS YOUNG + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email YOUNG + [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
To vote for South African of the Year
SMS SATY + [Nominee Number] to 43043 or Email SATY+ [Nominee Number] to
satyvoting@ann7.com
Or visit www.saty.co.za to vote for your favourite nominee online.
IMAGE: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, from the TV series, The South African Story / Oryx Media