Welcome to the “Best of” Competition Rules Page!
We know reading the fine print isn’t the most exciting part of the competition, but we’ve worked hard to keep it clear and relevant.
With thousands of businesses participating, we may have missed something. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, click here to contact us. We’re here to make your experience smooth and enjoyable!
General Overview
The “Best of” competition is designed to identify and celebrate top businesses as nominated and voted for by the public. It provides a trusted platform for recognizing excellence in products and services and helps businesses stand out in their communities.
The competition operates within the spirit of fairness, transparency, and community celebration, ensuring all voters and businesses have a fair and enjoyable experience.
Definitions
- Main Category: Broad business groupings for easier navigation (e.g., Shopping, Medical, Motoring).
- Sub-Category: Specific segments under a main category (e.g., “Best Hospital” under Medical).
- Nominations Phase: The first phase of the competition, where businesses are nominated by the public.
- Voting Phase: The second phase, where the public votes for nominated businesses to determine winners.
- Sponsors: Partners providing prizes or supporting the competition.
Nominations Phase
- Duration: Typically runs for one month (may vary by region; exact dates announced at the start of the competition).
- Unlimited Nominations: Voters can nominate as many businesses as they wish in each sub-category.
- Nomination Process: Voters nominate businesses online at www.bestofsouthafrica.co.za/. Each nomination must include the business name and the sub-category.
- Automatic Entry: Any business that receives at least one nomination is automatically entered into the competition.
Eligibility for Voting Phase
- Automatic qualification: Businesses with at least one nomination qualify for the voting phase.
- Sub-Category Minimum: Sub-categories must have more than one nominee to proceed to voting.
- Category Adjustments: Organisers may create or remove categories for inclusivity or fairness, with changes promptly communicated.
- Regional Focus: Only businesses with a physical address in the competition area are eligible. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and organisers’ decisions are final.
Voting Phase
- Duration: Typically runs for one month (may vary by region; dates announced at the start of the cycle).
- Setup: All nominated and eligible businesses are listed for voting at the end of the nominations phase.
Voting Limitations
- Voters may vote once per sub-category only (e.g. once for Best Coffee Shop, once for Best Hair Salon, etc.).
- The online voting system enforces multiple safeguards to ensure fairness:
- One vote per device per sub-category is allowed.
Example: If you vote from your mobile phone for “Best Gym”, you cannot vote again for that category using the same phone. - IP addresses are also tracked, which limits the number of votes that can be cast from the same internet connection.
Transparency and Fair Play
- Winners are determined solely by the number of valid votes received in each sub-category.
- The system is audited after voting closes to detect and remove duplicate or suspicious entries.
- Final results are published publicly, and recognition is awarded to the top businesses.
- The competition upholds strict fair play:
- Votes submitted using automation, repeated devices, or attempts to bypass restrictions may be removed.
- Deliberate abuse may result in disqualification of both the business and the voter involved.
Disqualification
Businesses (or voters) may be disqualified for:
- Manipulating or attempting to manipulate the voting process.
- Violating any of the competition rules.
Suspicious activity will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken to protect the credibility and integrity of the competition.
Rule Changes
The organisers reserve the right to amend competition rules as needed. All updates will be reflected in this document.
Privacy and Communication
- Opt-In Communication: By entering the competition, voters consent to receiving updates and emails related to the competition.
- Data Privacy Compliance: Personal information is processed per the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) to ensure security.
- No External Sharing: Personal data will not be shared with external parties without explicit consent.
- Right to Unsubscribe: Voters can opt out of communications at any time using the unsubscribe link in emails.
Summary
These rules ensure the “Best of” competition is fair, transparent, and enjoyable for all voters and businesses. By participating, businesses gain the opportunity to showcase their excellence, while the public supports their favourites in a structured and equitable way.
