Best of Ladysmith Winners 2025

Over the past three months, the people of Ladysmith have spoken – and it is the Ladysmith Gazette’s privilege to announce the winners of the 2025 Best of Ladysmith Readers’ Choice Awards!

Your (our loyal readers’) nominations and votes for your favourite businesses allow us to showcase not just the pride and joy of our community, but also the very best businesses in town. The enthusiastic response from our loyal readers reaffirms just how valuable this project is, not only in celebrating excellence, but also uplifting and supporting businesses in our beautiful town.

A big salute to every nominated business and our heartfelt congratulations to each of the 2025 category winners – you truly make Ladysmith proud!

Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that the 2026 Best of Ladysmith Readers’ Choice Awards will officially kick off in May 2026.

EDUCATION

Best Creche/Playschool

  1. Sivaton Private Academy
  2. Little Butterflies Pre-Primary & Educare
  3. Happy Kids Day Care

Best Pre-Primary School

  1. ML Sultan Primary School
  2. Sivaton Private Academy
  3. Hamilton Preparatory School

Best Educational Service

  1. Sivaton Private Academy
  2. Wise Training Centre
  3. Islamic Educational Centre

Best Private High School

  1. Hamilton College
  2. Islamic Education Centre
  3. Harvest High School

Best Private Primary School

  1. Hamilton Preparatory School
  2. Sivaton Private Academy

Best Public High School

  1. Ladysmith High School
  2. Ladysmith Secondary School
  3. Windsor Secondary School

Best Public Primary School

  1. Egerton Primary School
  2. ML Sultan Primary School
  3. Monument Primary School

Best Tertiary Education Institute

  1. Boston City Campus
  2. Mnambithi TVET College
  3. Saira Emergency Training Institution

Best Sports Club/Coaching

  1. Aqua-Gym
  2. Ladysmith Country Club
  3. NKR Padel

ENTERTAINMENT & HOSPITALITY

Best Bed & Breakfast

  1. Sifumasa Guesthouse
  2. Peaches and Cream Bed & Breakfast
  3. Protea Guest House

Best Casino

  1. Goldrush Bingo Ladysmith
  2. Hollywoodbets – Ladysmith
  3. Butterfly Gardens

Best Hotel

  1. Donga La Boutique Hotel
  2. Royal Hotel
  3. Crown Hotel

Best Wedding Venue

  1. Thandana Weddings
  2. Donga La Boutique Hotel
  3. Platrand Lodge

Best Weekend Escape (within 250km)

  1. Drakensberg Sun
  2. Cayley Lodge
  3. Drakensville ATKV

Best Conference & Event Centre

  1. Donga La Boutique Hotel
  2. Nauntons Guest House
  3. Ladysmith Country Club

FOOD & DRINK

Best Bakery/Pastisserie

  1. Zama’s Kitchen
  2. Decadence Bakery & Deli
  3. Cakes by Pinky

Best Bars/Pub

  1. Malibu Palms
  2. Guinea Fowl Restaurant
  3. Captain Joe’s Tavern

Best Burger

  1. Captured Cravings by Faeeza
  2. Pedros Ladysmith
  3. McDonalds Ladysmith

Best Coffee/Bistro Shop

  1. Noi Coffee Bar
  2. Rex Coffee Shop
  3. Sweet Brew Coffee Co

Best Fast Food

  1. Captured Cravings by Faeeza
  2. Mr Frangos Fried & Grilled Chicken
  3. Pedros Ladysmith

Best Fine Dining

  1. Guinea Fowl Restaurant
  2. Bemath Irfaan t/a Al Falah Caterers
  3. Malibu Palms

Best Biltong

  1. Billatong
  2. Midlands Butchery
  3. Heritage Butchery

Best Breakfast

  1. The Coffee Shop
  2. McDonalds Ladysmith
  3. Rex Coffee Shop

Best Family Friendly Restaurant

  1. Santa Catalina Spur
  2. Guinea Fowl Restaurant
  3. Chicken Licken Ladysmith

Best Local Brand Restaurant

  1. Malibu Palms
  2. Pedros Ladysmith
  3. Captured Cravings by Faeeza

Best Shishanyama

  1. KB Meats & Shisanyama
  2. Percys Mutton Market
  3. Jackson Butchery

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Best Barber/Men’s Grooming Shop

  1. Raja’s Hair Salon
  2. Ijaz’s Hair Salon
  3. Bawa Brothers

Best Beauty & Health Spa

  1. Hlengi’s Touched by an Angel Spa
  2. Serene Healing Mobile Spa
  3. Scarlet Rose Hair & Beauty Salon

Best Gym

  1. The Sports Arena Gym
  2. Aqua-Gym
  3. Get Physical Gym

Best Hair Salon

  1. Scarlet Rose Hair & Beauty Salon
  2. Ijaz’s Hair Salon & Salon Style
  3. The Salon Ladysmith

Best Nail Salon

  1. Nails By Thresha Pillay
  2. Hlengi’s Touched by an Angel Spa
  3. Pink Polished by Nompilo

MEDICAL

Best Ambulance/Emergency Service

  1. Sharaj Ambulance Services
  2. ER 24
  3. 360 Medical Service

Best Blood Labs

  1. Lancet Laboratories
  2. Ampath Ladysmith Laboratory
  3. Hamadi Laboratories

Best Dentist

  1. Family Smiles Dental Care Inc
  2. SK Dental
  3. Dr I M Sardiwalla – Dentist

Best Audiologist

  1. Karen Pillay Audiology
  2. Thobani Hopewell Hadebe
  3. Roshni Naicker Audiologist & Speech Therapist

Best Chiropractor

  1. Dr Nondumiso Khumalo
  2. KDS Chiropractor – Dr Kyle Sclanders
  3. Trueback Chiropractor – Dr Jacques Durell

Best Dermatologist

  1. Dr Ayanda Ntshangase
  2. Dr Sushell Behariram
  3. Dr Fathima Motala

Best Dietitian

  1. Raksha S Ramphal
  2. Phindile Mthembu

Best ENT

  1. Dr M.A Sardiwalla Inc.
  2. Dr Samu Sibeko
  3. Dr Otto Nel

Best Family Doctor/GP

  1. Dr F A Khan
  2. Dr P.D Xaba
  3. Dr L.E Nkosi & Dr. S.N Khumalo – NK Surgery

Best Hospital

  1. Essen Medical Centre
  2. La Verna Private Hospital
  3. Ladysmith Regional Hospital

Best General Surgeon

  1. Dr Nilesh Nair
  2. Dr M I Mulla
  3. Dr F Motala

Best Gynaecologist

  1. Dr Jjuko
  2. Dr Khanyile
  3. Dr Kekana

Best Health Care/Medical Centre

  1. Essen Medical Centre
  2. La Verna Medical Centre
  3. Ladysmith Medical Centre

Best Medical Services

  1. Ladysmith Medical Centre
  2. Sharaj Ambulance Services
  3. 360 Medical Services

Best Occupational Therapist

  1. Aziza Mulla Occupational Therapy
  2. Sam Mashele Occupational Therapy
  3. Evette Cilliers Occupational Therapy

Best Orthopedic Surgeon

  1. Dr TX Masondo
  2. Dr TN Msithini-Zondo

Best Pharmacy

  1. Alpha Pharm Ladysmith Pharmacy
  2. Hansa’s Pharmacy
  3. Oval Pharmacy

Best Physiotherapist

  1. Shuaib Khan PhysioCare
  2. Mthoko Masondo Physiotherapy
  3. Nikita Louwrens – NL Physiotherapy

Best Urologist

  1. Dr NT Nkosi
  2. Dr Y Ameer
  3. Dr M M A Alsharef

Best Optometrist

  1. Asmal Optometrist
  2. Sardiwalla Optometrist
  3. Spec-Savers Ladysmith

Best Pediatrician

  1. Dr I.O Vawda
  2. Dr A Ntshangase
  3. Dr S Duba

Best Physician

  1. Dr S Chinasamy

Best Podiatrist

  1. Alisha Lalbehari – Foot Motion Podiatry
  2. NO Hlatshwayo Podiatrist

Best Psychologist

  1. Silindile M Mchunu – Clinical Psychologist
  2. Kike Adewusi – Psychologist

Best Speech Therapist

  1. Faaiza Desai Speech Therapy

MOTORING

Best Automotive Paint Specialist

  1. AMP Automotive Paints
  2. Boykey’s Auto Paints

Best Breakdown Services

  1. Daves Panel Beaters Cc
  2. Mr Wood Towing
  3. Oak Park Trading 191

Best Automotive Parts & Accessories

  1. National Midas Ladysmith
  2. Sparetek Automotive Supplies
  3. Hansa’s Motor Spares

Best Car Dealership

  1. MMG Toyota Ladysmith
  2. Chery Ladysmith
  3. Sentracor Ford Ladysmith

Best Car Service Centre/Repairs

  1. Autotech Ladysmith
  2. Sarel’s Workshop
  3. NTT Isuzu Ladysmith

Best Car Sound Installer

  1. Deen’s Electronic Audio & Fitment Centre
  2. Masons Service Centre
  3. Virtual Audio & Design

Best Car Wash

  1. Don’s Car Wash
  2. Torque Auto Spa
  3. Connor Car Care

Best Exhaust/Shock Repair

  1. Mr X-Haust Mr Tyre
  2. Marks Tyres Tyremart
  3. Supa Quick Tyre Experts

Best Glass Fitment Centre

  1. Glasfit Ladysmith
  2. Midlands Glass & Aluminium
  3. PG Glass Ladysmith

Best Tyre Fitment Centre

  1. Hi-Q
  2. Marks Tyres Tyremart
  3. BestDrive Ossie’s Tyres

Best Panel Beaters

  1. Tugela Panelbeaters
  2. Daves Panel Beaters
  3. Klipriver Motors Panelbeaters

Best Used Car Dealership

  1. Oasis Ladysmith
  2. Muji Ladysmith
  3. NTT Isuzu Ladysmith

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Best Accounting/Auditing Firm

  1. Asvat & Associates
  2. Kallideen & Co.
  3. Baker Kharva

Best Airconditioning Company

  1. Teslah Air-conditioning & Refrigeration& Northern Natal Electrical
  2. Rookesh Veerasamy (Technique Refrigeration)

Best Architect

  1. Johan Matthee Architect
  2. Bartsch Architects

Best Agricultural Services

  1. Afgri Ladysmith
  2. Agrimark Ladysmith

Best Aluminium Supplier

  1. Glasfit Ladysmith
  2. Ladysmith Aluminium and Glass
  3. Arctic Glass and Aluminium

Best Attorney/Law Firm

  1. A Singh and Associates
  2. Anwar Suleman Jessop Attorneys
  3. Vishnu Moodley & Company

Best Catering Company

  1. Bemath Irfaan t/a Al Falah Caterers
  2. Thandana Catering
  3. Captured Cravings by Faeeza

Best Branding, Printing & signage Company

  1. Executive Signs
  2. Print Technique
  3. Signrex

Best Building & Construction Company

  1. Ideal Home Build
  2. Nambithi Plumbers & Builders
  3. Konsure Maintenance & Construction Services

Best Corporate Insurance Company

  1. Old Mutual Ladysmith
  2. Eugene Pillay – Old Mutual
  3. RM Insurance Brokers

Best Cupboard Specialists

  1. Mr Wood
  2. Style by choice

Best Door & Window Security

  1. NN Alarm Systems CC
  2. Bradmac Door Specialist
  3. P.A.C Security

Best Driving School

  1. Saish’s Driving School
  2. Maharaj’s Driving School
  3. Fah’s Driving School

Best Dry Cleaner/Laundromat

  1. Spotless Laundry & Dry Cleaner
  2. Midlands Steam Laundry
  3. Queens Laundromat

Best Electrician

  1. Power Electrical
  2. Northern Natal Electrical
  3. Teslah Electrical

Best Engineering & Manufacturing Company

  1. Action Engineering & Steel Manufacturing
  2. Defy Appliances Ladysmith
  3. Canvas and Tent Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd

Best Financial Planning/Brokers

  1. Old Mutual Ladysmith
  2. Nerasha Lalla – Old Mutual
  3. Kallideen & Co. Inc

Best Function Decor & Flowers

  1. Thandana Function, Decor & Flowers
  2. Middleton’s Florist
  3. Charlie’s Flower Shop

Best Estate Agent

  1. Nambithi Properties
  2. Dedekind Real Estate & Ravani Properties
  3. Bliss Property

Best Funeral Service

  1. Hindu Funeral Society
  2. Ladysmith Muslim Burial Society
  3. DB Funeral Services

Best Garden Services

  1. Tuinhuis Nursery
  2. Livingston Lawnmowers
  3. Carefree Gardens

Best Glass & Aluminium Fitment Cenre

  1. Glasfit Ladysmith
  2. Midlands Glass & Aluminium
  3. Arctic Glass & Aluminium

Best Internet Service Provider

  1. Ladysmith Wireless Solutions
  2. PK Cellular
  3. Ziwi

Best Locksmith

  1. Fine Cuts Locksmith
  2. Lock ‘n Key Center
  3. Chatter Box Center

Best Painting & Packaging Company

  1. Mirage Enterprises
  2. Print Technique
  3. Hyper Packaging Natal

Best Interior Designer

  1. Petals & Pressies
  2. Rehma Arts
  3. Luxottica Interior Pty Ltd

Best Kitchen Installation Company

  1. Bawas Furnishers
  2. Mr Wood
  3. Style By Choice

Best Moving Company

  1. Tugela Movers
  2. AD Transport
  3. Mini & Maxi Movers

Best Pest Control Company

  1. Professional Pest Control
  2. Nambithi General Services
  3. EcoDoc

Best Plant/Tool Hire Company

  1. Coastal Hire
  2. Service Centre Build

Best Plumbing Supplies Company

  1. Mica Ladysmith
  2. Build It Ladysmith
  3. Plumblink Ladysmith

Best Scrap Metal/Waste Company

  1. Why Waste
  2. Hansa’s Motor Spares & Scrap Yard
  3. O R S Scrapmetal CC

Best Plumbing Company

  1. Nambiti Plumbers
  2. Mr Plumber
  3. Service Center Build

Best Pool Company

  1. NN Pumps & Pools

Best Security Company

  1. NN Alarms
  2. ADT Security
  3. Khansons Security

Best Solar Company

  1. Caltecsolar.Africa
  2. Teslah Solar Systems
  3. Caelix Ladysmith

Best Travels & Tours Agency

  1. Tars Travel
  2. Worldview Travel

Best Upliftment Organisation/NPO &amp NGO

  1. Al-Imdaad Foundation
  2. Ladysmith Hospice
  3. Ladysmith Women’s Forum

Best Tile & Flooring Company

  1. Tile It
  2. Mr Wood
  3. Top Carpets & Floors

Best Upholstery Company

  1. Petals & Pressies
  2. AAE Upholstery

SHOPPING

Best Butchery

  1. Midlands Butchery
  2. Heritage Butchery
  3. KB Meats & Shisanyama

Best Cellphone Store

  1. Vodacom Ladysmith
  2. PK Cellular
  3. MTN San Marco

Best Electrical and Lighting Store

  1. Power Electrical
  2. BSR Electrical

Best Chemical Supplier

  1. MSC Agencies
  2. Isachem

Best Computer/Electronics Store

  1. One Stop Computers & Stationers
  2. PK Cellular
  3. Aircell Electronics

Best Convenience Store 24/7

  1. Total Oasis Murchison Street
  2. DB’s Service Station

Best Factory Shop

  1. Durban Overall
  2. Joshtex Factory Shop

Best Fishing/Tackle Shop

  1. Safari Den
  2. The Tackle Hub
  3. RUT SUPPLIES Pty Ltd

Best Kitchen Essentials Store

  1. The Culinarium
  2. Mr Price Home
  3. Pep Home

Best Hardware Store

  1. Mica Ladysmith
  2. Build It Ladysmith
  3. The Timber Yard

Best Home Decor Store

  1. Mr Price Home
  2. Pep Home
  3. Sheet Street

Best Jewellery Store

  1. American Swiss
  2. Harison Jewellers
  3. Sterns

Best Tile Shop

  1. Tile It
  2. Handy House

Best Linen & Homeware

  1. Moosajees Linen & Home
  2. Emax

Best Liquor Store

  1. Tops @ De Francas SUPERSPAR
  2. Ship & Anchor Blue Bottle Store
  3. Ultra Liquors Ladysmith

Best Nursery/Garden Centre

  1. Tuinhuis Nursery
  2. Mica Ladysmith
  3. Agrimark Ladysmith

Best Paint Store

  1. Mica Ladysmith
  2. Mzansi Paints
  3. Build It Ladysmith

Best Water and Filtration

  1. Revive H20
  2. Amanzi H20
  3. Yametsi Water

Best Florist

  1. Middleton Florist
  2. Charlie’s Flower Shop
  3. Flowers by Rose

Best Fresh Produce Store

  1. Ishies Fruit & Veg
  2. Fast ‘N’ Fresh

Best Fuel Filling Station

  1. DB’S Service Station
  2. Total Oasis Ladysmith

Best Party Shop

  1. Day Day
  2. Finest Co
  3. Chocnotes Ladysmith

Best Furniture Store

  1. Bawas Furnishers
  2. Geen & Richards
  3. Furniture & Door

Best Gas Supplier

  1. Paradise Stores
  2. Top Oils
  3. Klipriver Gas

Best Gifting and Packaging

  1. Mirage Enterprise
  2. Odds & Evens
  3. Farmhouse Decor & Gift Co

Best Sporting Goods Store

  1. Riga Bros Sport & Leisure
  2. Smart Scholar
  3. RUT SUPPLIES (PTY) LTD

Best Schoolwear Specialist

  1. Filcon School Wear
  2. Smart Scholar

Best Shoe Store

  1. Shoe Street
  2. Tekkie Town
  3. Americanos

Best Shopping Centre/Mall

  1. The Square Shopping Centre
  2. The Oval Shopping Centre
  3. Murchison Mall

Best Spice Shop

  1. Spice Rack
  2. AK’S Hyper Supermarket
  3. Eastlink

Best Stationery

  1. Ladysmith Office National
  2. One Stop Computers& Stationers
  3. Smart Scholar

Best Supermarket

  1. Checkers
  2. De Francas SUPERSPAR
  3. AK’S Hyper Supermarket

Best Tobacconist

  1. Top Tobacconist & Vapes
  2. Black Ball8

Best Pet Store/Products

  1. Ladysmith Veterinary Clinic
  2. Monster Tanks
  3. Mica Ladysmith

Best Wholesalers

  1. TFS Wholesalers
  2. Liberty Cash & Carry
  3. Bago Snacks & Sweets

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