Congratulations to our winners - We Salute You
The people of the South Coast have not only spoken, they’ve shouted from the rooftops to reveal the winners of the 2025 Best of the South Coast Readers’ Choice Awards.
With more than four times as many votes cast as last year, close on 200,000 boxes were ticked to elect the best of the best across 75 categories in the 14th instalment of this home-grown competition. The overwhelming response from readers shows just how meaningful this initiative is – not only in celebrating excellence, but also in supporting local businesses across our towns.
It’s been said that change brings opportunity. Nowhere is that more true than the evolution of the Herald’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This year’s competition integrated digital voting and it tells the story of what’s to be reaped by committing to change. In upgrading the voting mechanics to allow for both print and digital voting, the result was an onslaught. “It’s telling to note such a huge increase in voting this year,” said Herald business manager, Michelle Izatt. “However, while an impressive percentage of the votes were cast online, print copy votes acccounted for a quarter of the actual votes cast, showing that print is still a mainstay for many voters. It shows that print is alive and relevant, and that coupled with the digital evolution, this competition is set to keep growing.”
The number of categories also swelled to 76 from last year’s 45.
It makes sense that every type of business would want to be represented. From butchers and bakers to candlestick-makers, and every other type besides, businesses that still focus on customer-centric service were bound to reap the rewards. In some instances, national franchises dominated, while in others, truly local, home-grown businesses have been lauded for being top of the pops. In every instance, businesses did well to keep the customer at the centre of their world.
In addition to the changed voting mechanism, this year’s “Best of” awards also adapted the nomination phase to level the playing field. Instead of (as previously) allowing only the top 3 most nominated businesses to advance, this year every business that was nominated went through for consideration in the finals. However, as always, our readers had the final say in determining the best of the best through the power of their votes.
If ever you doubted the adage that “local is lekker”, page through this edition of the Herald to see the who’s who of businesses that can rightly lay claim to being at the top of their game. Also, keep and refer to these pages if you need to find businesses that offer great quality and service locally.
The Herald management and staff extend hearty congratulations and a round of well-deserved applause to every nominated business, and our heartfelt congratulations to the 2025 category winners – you make the South Coast proud!
EDUCATION LESSONS & COACHING
- Best Tertiary Education – Esayidi TVET College Port Shepstone
- Best Driving School – Sbo & Sanele Driving School
- Best Tutor Educational Service – Master Maths
- Best Pre-Primary School – Port Shepstone Junior Primary School
- Best Primary School – Izotsha Primary School
- Best High School – Port Shepstone High School
ENTERTAINMENT & HOSPITALITY
- Best Bed & Breakfast – Honeywood Forest Lodge & Spa
- Best Event Venue – Lake Eland
- Best Estate – San Lameer Estate
- Best Golf Course – Port Shepstone Country Club
- Best Holiday Accommodation – Wild Coast Sun
- Best Outdoor Activity Business – Lake Eland
- Best Weekend Escape (Within 150Km) – Lake Eland Game Reserve
FOOD & DRINK
- Best Breakfast – Waffle House
- Best Bunny Chow – Green Chilli Fine Dining
- Best Coffee Shop – KC’s Coffee Shop
- Best Family Friendly Restaurant – C-Bali Restaurant
- Best Pub – The Village Bar & Grill
- Best Seafood Restaurant – C-Bali Restaurant
- Best Takeaway – Shell Shack Manaba
- Best Seafood Shop – Tightline Fisheries Shelly Beach
HEALTH BEAUTY & WELLNESS
- Best Beauty / Health Spa – Touch of Thai
- Best Hair Salon – Head Office Uvongo
- Best Make-up Artist – Nargis Make Up Artist
- Best Nail Salon – Nails by Shanez
- Best Gym – Superbodies Port Shepstone
MEDICAL
- Best Ambulance Emergency Service – Lazer 911 EMS
- Best Dentist – Dr MT Khan Southport
- Best Hospital – Shelly Beach Hospital
- Best Optometrist – Spec-Savers Shelly Beach
- Best Pharmacy – Fairways Pharmacy
MOTORING
- Best Automotive Parts & Accessories – Goldwagen
- Best Breakdown Service – Natal Recovery
- Best Car Dealership – Halfway Toyota Shelly Beach
- Best Car Service Centre – Ravin’s Auto Centre
- Best Panel Beaters – Margate Panelbeaters & Refinishers
- Best Tyre Fitment Centre – Hi-Q Hi-land Tyres Port Shepstone
- Best Used Car Dealership – Halfway Toyota Shelly Beach
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- Best Air-Conditioning Company – Comfort Cool
- Best Attorney Law Firm – Barry, Botha & Breytenbach Attorneys
- Best Branding & Signage Company – Lightning Printers Screens & Signs
- Best Building & Construction Company – Top Dog Construction
- Best Cleaning Services – Qualchem
- Best Electrician – Hibiscus Coast Electrical
- Best Estate Agency – Just Property
- Best Funeral Service – Bechoo’s Funeral Services
- Best Insurance Company – Old Mutual Port Shepstone
- Best Kitchen Installation Company – Macsharp Timbers
- Best Plumbing Company – DLS Plumbing
- Best Pool Company – Pool Wize
- Best Security Company – Lazer 911
- Best Tile & Flooring Company – CTM Port Shepstone
- Best Bank – Capitec Shelly Beach
- Best Photographer – Jays Studio
SHOPPING
- Best Cell Phone Store – Vodacom Shelly Centre, Shelly Beach
- Best Butchery – Michael Frey’s Fresh Meat Port Shepstone
- Best Clothing Store – Woolworths
- Best Clothing Store For Her – Woolworths
- Best Clothing Store For Him – Woolworths
- Best Computer Electronics Store – Incredible Connection Southcoast Mall
- Best Fresh Produce Store – Food Lovers Market
- Best Fuel Filling Station – Shell Garage Manaba
- Best Furniture Store – House & Home Southcoast Mall
- Best Hardware Store – Amos Hardware Port Shepstone
- Best Home Decor Store – Mr Price Home Southcoast Mall
- Best Jewellery Store – Lovisa Shelly Centre
- Best Liquor Store – Checkers Liquor Southcoast Mall
- Best Nursery Garden Centre – Builders Express Southcoast Mall
- Best Security Store – Hibiscus Coast Security Distributors
- Best Shoe Store – Shoe City Southcoast Mall
- Best Shopping Centre/Mall – Southcoast Mall
- Best Stationery / Arts & Crafts Store – Ramsgate Stationers
- Best Supermarket – Checkers Southcoast Mall
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
- Best Consumer Goods Manufacturer – Golden Glo
PETS
- Best Pet Shop – Tails Up Port Shepstone