The inaugural North Coast Big 5 Competition has finally come to an end with the official prize giving event taking place on Tuesday 3^rd May at the Sangweni Tourism Office, Ballito. Businesses nominated throughout the 3 month long competition were cordially invited to attend on Tuesday evening, with Zulu Dancers, refreshments & canapés to await the discovery of the first North Coast Big 5 Winners.

The event was attended by some of the regions most well respected representatives including the Mayor, Cllr S.W. Mdabe, Deputy Major, Cllr Amitha Badul, Enterprise Ilembe CEO, Kanyi Gasa, Enterprise Ilembe Manger of Trade & Investment Promotions, Cheryl Peters, CEO of ICCIT, Trenley Tilbrook along with the local media.

The competition was conceptualised late last year by the team at Sugar Rush in an aid to help local tourism & commercial activity. The competition encouraged the local community & passing tourists to vote for their favourite jewels on the North Coast & within the wider Ilembe District either online or in stores & businesses. Throughout the 3 months, over 90 businesses were nominated and a total of 2517 votes were received.

After totaling the votes the Sugar Rush & Enterprise iLembe team were privileged to announce the 5 winners on Tuesday the 3^rd of May:

Winner of the Activities category was Crocodile Creek

Winner of the Destinations category was Chaka’s Rock Chalets

Winner of the Entertainment Category was The Litchi Orchard

Winner of the Health & Lifestyle Category was Fashion Lab Hair Studio

Winner of the Community Category was Luthuli Museum

The above businesses have received an award for Service Excellence, 12 month free advertising on the Sugar Rush website & a slot on the SABC 3 morning show, Espresso, as part of the North Coast feature to air soon.

Sugar Rush would like to extend their gratitude & thanks to Enterprise Ilembe for their support throughout this competition as well as official media partner, the North Coast Courier, other supporting partners, The Stanger Weekly, North Coast Jewel of the Zulu Kingdom & all supporting businesses.

The competition is hoped to be an annual event and we look forward to working with the local community again to discover the 2012 North Coast Big 5.