Capetonians have come together to honour the winners of the first-ever Good Hope FM Best of Cape Town Awards at a glittering red-carpet event held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday 13 September 2008.

After welcoming guests and dignitaries, popular Good Hope FM DJ Nigel Pierce explained that the winners were determined by public vote. In addition to the prestigious accolade of winning their category, each winner also received R10 000.

The winners of the 2008 Best of Cape Town Awards:

Best of Cape Town – Shopping
Winner of the best shopping centre in Cape Town was Canal Walk, and best retail store winner was the Woolworths in Century City’s Canal Walk.

Best of Cape Town – Achievers
Winner of the best performing artist was given to Chad Saaiman, along with the Out of Africa Dance Academy winning the Best Performing Group of Cape Town.

Cape Town’s Best Sportsperson was awarded to Natalie du Toit and the Best Sports Team was given to none other than The Stormers.

Best of Cape Town – Hospitality
Table Mountain won the award for Best Attraction or Event, Best Accommodation went to the beautiful The Vineyard Hotel & Spa and the Best Restaurant in Cape Town and surrounds was awarded to Grande Provence in Franschhoek. Best night spot turned out to be the Lambego Lounge in Lansdowne

Best of Cape Town – Creativity
Cape Town’s Best Architectural Design went to the beautiful Cape Town International Convention Centre, and WOZA Cape Town was awarded the Best “Made in Cape Town” Product.

Best of Cape Town – Heroes
Cape Town Honors Robert De Wet, a medical emergency volunteer as the Best Emergency Services Hero – Grant Solomon, a language practitioner in township schools as the Best Education Hero and Peter Harley, founder of “No 2 drugs & Yes 2 Life” as the Best Community Hero.

In a pre-recorded message, executive mayor Helen Zille congratulated all nominees and, in particular, the finalists. “You are here because you represent excellence,” said Zille. “Capetonians voted for you because they believe you are the best at what you do. You are all great, and you inspire us to also do our best.”

Awards director Alison Mulhall was staggered and amazed by the response of Capetonians to being given the opportunity to recognise and support the best in Cape Town.

“The overwhelming response by the public and the quality of winners being applauded supports our belief that the Good Hope FM Best of Cape Town Awards will achieve our objective by annually recognising excellence in Cape Town,” she said.

Seen at the awards were a host of well-known Capetonians, including Proteas great Herschelle Gibbs, couturiers Malcolm Klûk and Christian Gabriel du Toit, opera diva Aviva Pelham, provincial Minister for Culture & Sport Cameron Dugmore and City Councillor Simon Grindrod.

Molo Says: "A hearty congratulations to the winners, from the team at CapeTownMagazine.com! We’re excited to see Capetonians being suitably recognized for their positive contributions to this fantastic city.”

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