Best of Mbombela Awardees announced

Last Thursday, May 23, was that time of the year again for the Lowveld’s highly coveted Best of Mbombela 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.

The city’s leading businesses once again gathered at Church Unlimited to find out which of them would receive the Lowveld’s ultimate accolades in the various categories, as voted by the community over months.

Some of the most well-known names in the Mbombela business sphere were joined by several newcomers in the local business world, from finances, car repairs and education, to restaurants, pets and plumbing, all gathered under one roof on Thursday morning, rubbing shoulders with Mbombela’s cream of the crop.

ALSO READ: Counting of votes continues in Mpumalanga

The attendees were treated to delicious canapés and refreshing beverages prepared by A Tua Casa’s Elaine Blignaut while entertained by well-known local trumpet player Stix Dumisa. Lowveld singer Bia also made an appearance on-stage, while local businesses awaited the announcement of the winners, singing a song written especially for the Best of Mbombela Awards by Lowveld Media’s very own Bertus de Bruyn.

Standard Bank’s Yaseen Guman started off the introductions to the awards, followed by Standard Bank’s Lee Langehoven who gave an overview of the global and South African economy, the NHI Bill and the elections.

The award winners were published on Lowvelder’s Facebook page as they were announced during the ceremony. A full list of winners as well as the photographs taken on the day will be published in a special edition at the end of June.

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Last year, the awards saw a special new addition to the awards handed out to those named as the Best of Mbombela; Standard Bank came onboard the event and handed out beautifully crafted glass trophies to each winner. This year, Standard Bank continued this gesture. Alongside Standard Bank, the NHBRC also came aboard as sponsors for the awards this year.

A total of 71 awards were handed out under six main categories. Some winners walked away with more than one award.

BUCO Nelspruit received four awards, while newcomer Flawesome Construction took home three awards. A special mention goes to Citybug for winning the best shuttle service for the 10th consecutive year.
There were also a host of lucky draws for attendees, with the prizes sponsored by Vichy Spa, Geo Trail, Orange Restaurant and Botanical Gardens Restaurant.

A special thank you goes to Stabilis Chartered Accountants Nelspruit for counting and auditing the Best of Mbombela’s votes.

Each year, the Best of Mbombela Awards sees one especially exceptional individual receive a special award. The recipient of this year’s Best of Mbombela Special Award, Thea Rix, embodies the very essence of what makes the Lowveld community exceptional. Rix’s tireless efforts, unwavering commitment and passion have enriched the lives of countless people.

Well known for her work with CMR Nelspruit, the Nelspruit Community Policing Forum and Nelspruit Concerned Citizens, and being one of the community’s biggest activists, Rix’s award is well earned.
Living by the motto ‘An informed person is calm and mostly happy’, Rix shows the Lowveld that each kind act or selfless move adds to our beautiful city’s character, which is built on compassion, resilience and hope.

May her legacy inspire us all to continue striving for excellence, supporting one another, and making the Lowveld community an even better place to call home. Rix’s humility, kindness and genuine concern for others have left a lasting impression on all who have had the privilege of knowing her.

She told Lowvelder she thanked the community and her Lord for always being there for her, and without whom the award would not have been possible.