I love NMB competition winners announced

AS THE summer festive season approaches, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) is one step closer to identifying a single icon for the city and there are already some winners in the bag.

Almost two months and 450 SMSs later, part one of the I love Nelson Mandela Bay competition – focusing on mainly responses from local residents – revealed some interesting findings. Top of the list to date are Addo National Elephant Park, Donkin Reserve, No Seven Castle Hill, Hobie Beach/Shark Rock Pier and Sardinia Bay.

Lucky winners who responded to the competition by sending a SMS were pulled from a hat. Here’s who they were and what they won: Francois Fourie (family weekend away at Addo Elephant National Park), Milisa Piko (Canon Power Shot SX 30is camera), Ray Hopkins (The Herald Subscription), Wouter du Toit (one township tour for six people), Fundiswa Matylo, Belinda Dawson, Moira Kemp, U de Falco (6x Nelson Mandela Bay Visitors’ Passes for each winner).

NMBT chief executive, Mandlakazi Skefile was amazed by the response to one simple question: What do you love most about Nelson Mandela Bay”

“I cannot believe how many people responded and the choices they made about what they love most about Nelson Mandela Bay.  It is encouraging to see local people feel positively about the city and that so many of our tourism members were willing to sponsor prizes. Some of the entries were beautifully written.

“Reading through them made me feel very proud that, as NMBT CEO, I serve so many enthusiastic residents, passionate about promoting NMBT,” said Skefile, who kick-started the competition last month by putting her cross next to Donkin Reserve.

Hopkins SMS’d this: “The diamond necklace of chokka boat lights at Seaview at night – brilliant and breathtaking.”

Piko who posted a photograph on NMBT Facebook site said: “Groendal (near Uitenhage) is what I love most about NMB. It is one of the best kept secrets for Nelson Mandela Bay and you get a taste of being at one with nature.”

Fourie had this to say: “The Campanile’s marvelous views, a great feeling of being top of the world in the greatest city in the world.”

Kemp’s loves the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium the most: “...it rises like a flower from the lake seeking the sun.”

De Falco said: “Other places may have braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies, but we also have blue sea and healthy, fresh air.”

Dawson emphasized the spirit of freedom: “I love the freedom we have to love life in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

With part one – a collection of local responses – of the competition done and dusted, part two will continue until early January. This will enable NMBT to source consumer insights from further afield than the city over the summer holiday season.

When all responses are collected and analysed an icon will be identified by the end of January inclusive of responses from national and foreign visitors to the city.

Prize-winners will be contacted during the course of today by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism for arrangements regarding their prizes. Alternatively prize-winners can phone Erenei on 041-582-2575.