Honouring Extraordinary Citizens Who Make a Difference
For more than three decades, The Herald NMU Citizens of the Year Awards have stood as one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s most prestigious honours — a celebration of everyday heroes whose selfless acts uplift and inspire entire communities.
Now in its 34th year, this powerful CSI initiative shines a spotlight on individuals who go above and beyond, dedicating themselves to serving others and driving meaningful change. Earlier this year, the public was invited to nominate these unsung champions — and the response was overwhelming, with more than 90 heartfelt submissions.
Meet the 2025 winners: remarkable people whose stories remind us of the power of compassion, commitment, and community.
“These stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things challenge me to think more deeply about what it means to serve with purpose and how, as a society, we must continue to create spaces that support and celebrate such contributions.”
- Vuyo Bongela, NMU acting dean of students
“There is a lot of good that is taking place — people doing their little bit in their corners to make a positive impact in their respective communities. We want to not only shine a spotlight on that, but also reward it. We want those people and organisations to know that we see them and we thank them for making a difference.”
- Rochelle de Kock, The Herald editor
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