The V&A Neighbourhood Awards celebrate excellence in retail and food-and-beverage tenants, including small retail businesses. There is a diverse range of awards on offer, ranging from metrics-based awards to awards where tenants can nominate themselves.

The awards aim to recognise and reward tenants who demonstrate exceptional quality, creativity, customer service and contribution to the overall visitor experience at the V&A Waterfront.

Monday, 23 June 2025 at 12h00 South Africa Standard Time (GMT +2

Sunday, 27 July 2025 at midnight South Africa Standard Time (GMT +2)

All Retail and Food & Beverage tenants who are part of the V&A Waterfront can enter the awards across all categories they qualify for. Click here for a detailed list of categories that tenants can enter.

Yes, as long as you qualify as per the criteria set out for the award. There is no limit on how many categories you can enter.

Yes, only work that is 12 months old or less can be entered, starting from June 2025 to July 2025.

Yes, you can still enter the awards. However, to qualify, you need to have demonstrated results for at least six months.

Any new or newly revamped tenant is eligible to enter this award. However, the criteria require some demonstration of results, so you must provide at least six months’ worth of results to qualify.

No, entry to any category is completely free. You can enter any category as long as you meet the criteria set out for the award.

Yes, there are metric-based awards, like the Service Excellence Awards, or other Special Recognition Awards. The Service Excellence Awards are based on mystery-shopper or diner results.

We have assembled a distinguished panel of judges who are highly respected experts in their fields. We have taken every care to ensure that any conflict of interest is avoided. Here is a full list of judges.

The awards will be judged anonymously, remotely and independently by a panel of up to five judges per award. Entries will be evaluated based on the criteria provided prior to submission. This panel size helps ensure impasses are avoided, and winners are selected based on merit by majority vote.

We have eight award categories made up of 19 individual awards. The categories are as follows: • Sustainability & Impact Category • Brand & Store Experience Category • Store Talent Category • Neighbourhood Champion Category • Service Excellence Category • Retail Excellence Category • Special Recognition Category • People’s Choice Award

Tenants need to nominate themselves, except for metrics-based awards, based on the set criteria. This can be done through an online form available here or on the awards page https://www.waterfront.co.za/tenant-awards/. There are two exceptions: 1) for the Staff Talent Category, store managers or/and management or/and colleagues can nominate fellow deserving colleagues; 2) for the People’s Choice Awards, the public will nominate and vote for their favourite shop and eatery through an online survey.

Judging criteria vary by awards categories, but they generally include: • Quality and uniqueness of initiative • Measurable results including revenue growth, footfall, sales conversion and engagement. • Improvement on customer experience and feedback • Innovation, creativity & originality • Positive contribution to the V&A Waterfront’s visitor experience and alignment with neighbourhood values

Winners are selected by a panel of judges comprising V&A Waterfront staff, industry experts, and external advisors with relevant expertise.

The award ceremony will be held within the V&A Waterfront neighbourhood on the 1st of October 2025. The date is subject to change and location will be announced in due course.

Winners will receive a handcrafted trophy from a curated artisanal range along with a certificate as a mark of excellence for display. They will also receive a R5,000 voucher. Additionally, winners will be recognised on the V&A Waterfront’s digital platforms and benefit from enhanced visibility through the V&A’s PR efforts.

For more information, please visit the V&A Neighbourhood Awards landing page on our website or contact the V&A Neighbourhood Awards team at anjokweni@waterfront.co.za or dlavigre@waterfront.co.za or contact your Property Coordinator directly.

If you encounter any technical issues with the nomination form, please contact Asanda Njokweni at anjokweni@waterfront.co.za or on 076 168 1888 and Delmaine Lavigre at dlavigre@waterfront.co.za or on 064 022 8440

Attendance at the award ceremony is strictly by invitation. Finalists from all categories will receive invitations. If space allows, interested non-finalist tenants will be considered and notified.