Being a recognised part of the community isn’t just about visibility — it builds trust, credibility, and connections that you can't put a price on. When your real estate agency or brokerage is seen as a local leader, clients feel confident choosing you over the competition. That's why awards like Best of South Africa and its regional offshoots matter, giving you the chance to showcase your expertise and get a well-earned pat on the back.
In 2024, Prop Data entered and won the title of Best Web & Graphic Design Company at the Best of Durban 2024 competition! This recognition means a lot, not just for the title, but for the incredible exposure, the boost of pride it’s given the team, and of course, the framed certificate that now has a special spot in the office. Plus, being listed in the Best of Durban directory adds even more credibility, which is a great bonus.
If you’re a real estate agency or brokerage looking to grow your brand, you should definitely consider entering the Best of Durban awards (or your region’s equivalent). In this guide, you’ll learn more about the awards, why you should enter, how to do it, and ways to maximise your chances of winning.
Side note: The 2025 awards are open and Prop Data has been nominated for "Best Web & Graphic Design Company". Please click here to vote for us again (the last category on the page) and help us defend our title.
What are the Best of South Africa awards?
The Best of South Africa awards celebrate top businesses and institutions locally. The competition is conducted across South Africa throughout the year, with categories in these provinces and cities/regions including:
The competition has been running for over 28 years and is still growing in popularity. In 2024, the Best of Durban awards, only in its third year at the time, received a staggering 429,503 votes. This highlights how much the community values and trusts these accolades as a true reflection of local excellence.
Why you should enter
Winning a Best of … award can do wonders for your business, including enhancing your:
1. Brand recognition: Being recognised in a community-driven competition builds trust and positions your real estate agency as a key player in the local property market.
2. Credibility: Being named the best in your field reassures potential clients that they’re in good hands.
3. SEO performance: According to Prop Data’s SEO expert, earning a spot in the Best of Durban directory can improve your online presence by linking back to your site and driving more organic traffic. It also enhances your brand visibility, local SEO popularity, and backlink profile.
4. Employee morale and recruitment efforts: Your team will feel a strong sense of pride in their work and their workplace. Being an award-winning agency makes you more appealing to high-performing agents looking for a reputable company to join.
5. Marketing opportunities: You can leverage the win in your social media, website, email campaigns, and advertising. The awards can open doors to new collaborations with other top local businesses, helping you expand your influence.
Categories for real estate agencies
Each region structures its Best of … awards slightly differently, but typically, real estate agencies can enter in two categories:
1. Best Estate Agency (if you are a national company with several branches, you can nominate each that qualifies for specific awards. For example, for Best of Durban, both your Westville and Umhlanga branches could compete)
2. Best Estate Agent (individual real estate agents can be nominated)
If you would like to check how your region structures its categories, visit Best of South Africa. During the nomination phase, you can also suggest a new category and the awards committee may consider adding it for the voting phase.
Steps to enter
To participate, you will first need to be nominated. If your business is already on the list from the previous year (this is added automatically), you will still need to receive a nomination again to qualify for the voting phase.
If your business is not listed, you must submit a nomination request. All you need to do is fill in your details on the nomination form and submit it. It’s that easy! These aren’t added immediately though, so don’t be deterred if you don’t see your business listed straight away. The official shortlist is announced once the voting period opens and no new nominations are allowed during this part of the competition.
If you are entering Best of Durban specifically and need more information, you can get in touch through their dedicated contact form or these channels:
Ways to get votes and win
Once nominated, you’ll be officially in the running! Here are some strategies you can use to garner votes for your business:
Drip email campaign
Send a series of emails reminding your clients and partners to vote. Example email copy:
Subject: We’re in the running – help us win Best of Durban!
We’re excited to announce that [Your Agency Name] has been nominated for Best Estate Agency in the Best of Durban 2025 awards!
Voting is now open, and we’d love your support. Simply visit [Best of Durban website] and select Best Estate Agency to cast your vote for us!
Thank you for your support!
Website banner
Add a vote-for-us banner on your website and Facebook page with a clear call to action.
Paid and organic social media
You can confirm with the competition organisers if paid ads are allowed, but organic social posts are a must! Here is an example post:
We need your help! Vote for [Your Agency Name] as Best Estate Agency in the Best of Durban 2025 awards. Click the link in our bio to vote!
Encourage the team and friends to vote
Motivate your employees to vote and share with their networks. You can even offer an internal incentive such as a prize for the most shares or engagement. You can also contact all your loved ones and ask them to vote for you. They’ll want to see you succeed and will be happy to help. What is family for right?
QR code on printed materials
Create eye-catching flyers, posters, or business cards with a QR code leading to the voting page.
Ensure you make it an easy process for people to vote. Since the link doesn’t go directly to your category, provide clear instructions on how to find and vote for you.
Play fair when competing
Winning is great, but it’s important to do so ethically. Follow these golden rules:
What to do next if you win
Congratulations on getting a first, second, or third placement! Now it’s time to maximise your win:
Announce it everywhere: Post on social media, update your website, send out emails, and include it in your marketing materials.
Leverage the Best of Durban platform: They offer advertising, editorials, boosted organic posts on their social media pages, exposure on their website, and a chance to appear in a unique Best of Durban booklet. Reach out to them for more information on their paid opportunities.
Display your certificate: A framed certificate in your office adds credibility and sparks conversations. It also brings a sense of pride to you and your colleagues, creating a better work environment all round. You have one month from notification by Caxton to collect or organise delivery of this prize so make sure you are able to do so in the event you are victorious.
Best of luck to you!
Entering the Best of Durban competition (or another Best of South Africa offshoot) is an excellent way to build your real estate agency’s reputation. If you follow these steps, you’ll have a strong chance of earning a title and reaping the benefits that come with it.
If you’ve gotten to this point of our post, we’d appreciate your vote for Best of Durban 2025. Simply click on this link and show your support for Prop Data in the "Best Web & Graphic Design Company" category (the last one on the page).
Durban is a city full of vibrant neighbourhoods, stunning coastal properties, and investment opportunities. Whether you're selling luxury beachfront homes, trendy city apartments, or family-friendly suburban houses, Prop Data can help you maximise exposure and attract the right buyers. With cutting-edge digital marketing solutions, SEO-optimised listings, and expert real estate branding, Prop Data will make sure your business stands out in a competitive market. Get in touch with Prop Data today to put your real estate agency in the spotlight!