QUEST FOR HEROES

Help us find the greatest South Africans

THE Sunday Times, in association with Johnnie Walker, today proudly announces the Nation’s Greatest Awards, a campaign to recognise truly great South African heroes.

These are no ordinary awards — we want our readers to identify South Africans from all walks of life who have made a splendid contribution to our nation.

We therefore invite you today to consider those who you wish to nominate in the following categories:

The Nation’s Greatest Professional or Entrepreneur: someone who has created a business or a business opportunity, particularly against the odds — with an emphasis on sustainable job creation;

The Nation’s Greatest Mentor: a teacher or businessman or woman who, through their leadership and dedication, has given of him- or herself to develop others.

The Nation’s Greatest Community Leader: someone who is dedicating his or her life to the upliftment of the community, or in some way making a difference in the lives of others;

The Nation’s Greatest Inventor: someone who — on their own and through their imagination and dedication to an idea — is innovating in design, craftsmanship, product development or IT;

The Nation’s Greatest Challenger: someone who, probably through great personal sacrifice and against the odds, is achieving in their chosen sport or has achieved an exceptional physical feat;

The Nation’s Greatest Hero: someone who has performed a selfless act of heroism; and

The Nation’s Greatest Individual Award: an exceptional individual who is an inspiration to all South Africans, but whose achievements fall outside the parameters of the other six categories.

About the awards, Susan Russell, general manager of marketing, Times Media Ltd, said: “The Sunday Times is delighted to have struck a partnership with Johnnie Walker, a premier brand that complements the prestige of the inaugural Nation’s Greatest Awards. We look forward to an exciting working relationship.”

Melanie Campbell, marketing manager for Johnnie Walker, said the awards would be linked to the brand’s Keep On Walking South Africa campaign, which is aimed at inspiring personal progression by acknowledging the achievements of great South Africans.

“We have partnered with the Sunday Times, South Africa’s top-selling weekend newspaper, to launch the Nation’s Greatest Awards, which will publicly acknowledge these remarkable individuals,” Campbell said.

The awards process will happen in three phases — a nomination phase, the shortlisting of four nominees in each of the seven categories — an internal process done by the Sunday Times — and a final judging process to choose a winner in each category.

We are particularly keen that this project uncovers stories of human endeavour and heroism that might not otherwise have made our pages — stories that will inspire our readers and make us all proud to be South African.

Nominations for the Johnnie Walker Sunday Times Nation’s Greatest Awards, which open today, can be submitted at nations.greatest.co.za.

Simply log on to the website and nominate your greatest achievers across the seven categories.

The seven winners will be recognised at an event on October 7 2013 and in the Sunday Times on October 13.