DISCLAIMER
This production is the property of Bloemfontein Courant and published to announce the results of the Best of Bloemfontein Readers’ Choice Awards 2023.

The category winners announced here have been chosen by online reader votes in the annual Best of Bloemfontein campaign. The voting results as depicted herein were verified by independent auditors and are final.

Guest House: Villa Bali Luxury
Villa Bali is situated in the heart of the beautiful city of Bloemfontein. If you are tired of commercial hotels, Villa Bali may just be what you need. This special place provides a scrumptious breakfast and comfortable accommodation. It emphasises detail and places a high premium on value for money and unsurpassed service standards.

Best Cinema Complex: Epic Cinema
Looking to watch a movie while having an awesome experience, Epic Cinema is the place to be just for that. The cinema strives to give moviegoers an epic movie experience while offering customers the luxury of traditional cinemas, as well as the open air.

Best Flooring: Gordon Vloere
Gordon Vloere is a construction company with other specialities, such as offering carpets, interlocking rubber tiles, laminate/vinyl flooring, artificial grass, and many more. This dynamic business focuses on building, renovating, and maintenance and they can also help with your plumbing and electrical needs.

Best Gym: Virgin Active
Virgin Active offers you expert fitness advice and support to live an active lifestyle. Reach your fitness goals with their personal trainers, class instructors, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, and Biokineticists at their gyms, they have a membership to suit everyone.

Best Local Estate Agency: RE/MAX First Bloemfontein
The Bloemfontein REMAX franchise (REMAX FIRST), was bought by Erna Goodes and Honey Attorneys around 20 years ago and has, under Erna’s remarkable leadership, grown exponentially to 40 sales agents and a whopping market share of 24% in Bloemfontein. REMAX is one of the top 10 international franchises and the top international Real Estate brand, operational in more than 110 countries, with more than 130,000 sales associates.

Best Local Hotel: Protea Hotel Willow Lake
The exquisitely designed hotel boasts African elements that provide a unique and tranquil experience with great service. Situated in the ever-growing corporate hub of Bloemfontein, they provide a full-service restaurant, conference facilities and an exclusive bar area. The terrace and swimming pool area offer a serene spot after a hard day’s work, and a bonfire is lit every evening. Protea Hotel Willow Lake by Marriott Bloemfontein comprises 94 modern and luxurious rooms. An executive boardroom is available for small breakaway meetings and the conference facility can accommodate up to 100 delegates.

Best Local Radio Personality: Shandor Potgieter
Shandor Potgieter was born in Phalaborwa on 18 April 1991, and grew up in Bloemfontein, Gonubi and Stellenbosch. While enrolled at the University of the Free State, he embarked on a music career and established the award-winning band, ‘Oros in ’n lang glas’, winning multiple awards. He is the host of the Good Morning Breakfast Show on OFM. For Shandor, radio allows you to be anything and everything and it is “the most fun you will ever have”.

Best Local Radio Show: Good Morning Breakfast
Central South Africa wakes up to The Good Morning Breakfast show with Shandor Potgieter, Margaret Whitfield and Jaco de Waal on OFM. Weekday mornings, from 06:00 – 09:00, get a fresh start with get-you-ready-to-go music, the latest local news, traffic, sport and loads of fun to give new meaning to the adage – “rise and shine”.

Best Local Radio Station: OFM the Sound of Your Life
OFM is Central South Africa’s number one commercial radio station broadcasting to the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and southern Gauteng.

Best Local Sports Hero: Louzanne Coetzee
Louzanne Coetzee (born 18 April 1993) is a South African para-athlete. Coetzee was born blind as a result of a hereditary condition called Leber congenital amaurosis and competes in the T11 disability class for athletes with the highest level of visual impairment. She took up the sport at age 19 during her first year at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Best Neighbourhood Association/Watch in Bloem: AfriForum
AfriForum is a non-governmental organisation, registered as a non-profit company to protect the rights of minorities. It aims to create a safer and better community. Portfolios such as community safety, environmental affairs and local government affairs are of great help in this regard.

Best Neighbourhood/Home Owners Association in Bloem: Fichardt Park Neighbourhood Association
Fichardt Park Neighbourhood Association’s mission is to build on the successes of the past 13 years. The association is keenly focused on the current needs of its members and using sustainable projects for the benefit of all in Fichardt Park. They work purposefully every day to make Fichardt Park a clean and safe neighbourhood. They strive to make Fichardt Park “the place to be”.

Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners: Be Human – Middelwater Farm
Be Human – Middelwater Farm is a luxury farm hotel, wedding & function venue. It is a place where families can spend time together, where kids can play, they can get dirty and learn about fruit trees, vegetables and animals. You can relax, enjoy live entertainment, good food, good coffee, and craft beer and also go for a walk, run or cycle and experience farm life.

Best Student Accommodation: Campus Key Student Living
More than your home away from home, Campus Key offers accommodation to Bloemfontein students in an environment where young, eager and aspiring minds can thrive. Its Bloemfontein campus is within walking distance from the University of the Free State, and centrally located to all other amenities. This all-inclusive student accommodation is designed with one goal in mind: to perfectly set you up for success.

Best Tertiary Institution: University of the Free State
Since 1904, the University of the Free State (UFS) has grown steadily as an internationally recognised university, with scholars who continue to influence global growth. Today, it has several international partnerships and boasts a growing number of international students gracing its campuses. This university promotes diversity, inclusivity, and transformation.

Best Travel Agent/Tour Operator: Sure Etnique Travel
Sure Etnique Travel is passionate about more than just tickets. With over two decades under their belt, they specialise in crafting tailor-made adventures, detailed Visa advice, enchanting local and international cruises, comprehensive corporate travel solutions, and even creating that perfect honeymoon getaway. From vibrant global cities to tranquil sunsets on distant shores, they can be your compass to unforgettable memories.

Best Weekend Getaway in a 500-km radius outside Bloem: Clarens
Clarens is a small town situated at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains in the Free State. It is nicknamed the “Jewel of the Eastern Free State”. Clarens is known for its spectacular sandstone mountains and wonderful climate.

Best Day Hospital: CityMed Day Hospital
CityMed Day Hospital offers comfortable, clean surroundings where patients are taken care of by trained, professional staff members. The hospital is a member of both the New National Hospital Network (NNHN) and the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA). All procedures are performed by skilled specialists, registered at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HCPSA).

Best Hospital: Life Rosepark Hospital
Life, health and care are enshrined in everything this hospital does. This emphasis is carried through in the hospital’s dedication to well-being and quality of life, clinical excellence in world-class facilities, quality service, respect and a spirit of giving to those entrusted to its care.

Best Medical Facility (not a hospital): PathCare
PathCare is a people-focused, technology-driven pathology practice where an extensive range of screening and diagnostic tests to support the prevention and management of disease, in both the healthcare sector and agricultural industry, is offered. PathCare is a partnership of pathologists in private practice who provide services across the country.

Best Occupational Therapist: Juanè Raats
On 23 November 2004, Raats started the Juanè Raats Occupational Therapy (JROT) practice at Mediclinic Bloemfontein. Juanè did her postgraduate Diploma in Hand Therapy and the practice became renowned mainly for the treatment of hand injuries. The practice then developed into the fields of Physical Rehab, Medico-legal and Disability evaluations, Neurology, and ICU treatment. Today, eight therapists are employed under the umbrella practice. Juanè Raats Hands-on Centre provides quality and professional treatment to all.

Best Optometrist/Eye Care Institution: Spec-Savers
Spec-Savers is the leading Optometry Group in South Africa. The continued success of the organisation is based on a dynamic business concept that capitalises on the price benefits of collective sourcing of products and a common marketing strategy.

Best Pharmacy/Chemist: Arrie Nel
The Arrie Nel Pharmacy group started in 2000 with the grouping of three pharmacies and has been going from strength to strength, now boasting more than 90 and counting across South Africa.  Arrie Nel believes that a healthy family is what the country needs. Putting your family first is their pharmacist’s commitment to you.

Best Physiotherapist: Maryna Wessels
At Maryna Wessels Physiotherapy you will be met where you are in the recovery process and taken to where you want to be. The team of physiotherapists can help with pre-operative care, strengthening muscles to ensure a faster recovery and providing information to prepare for any operation. In the hospital, the team will help you to get back on your feet and function independently before you are discharged. These physiotherapists will walk the extra mile with you.

Best Step-Down/Rehabilitation Medical Facility Nurture:  Nurture Hillandale Hospital
At Nurture Hillandale Hospital people who have lost their independence after injury or illness are rehabilitated. The facility supports you on your rehabilitation journey. Nurture Hillandale assists patients to achieve their highest level of functioning and independence following injury and illness as cost-effectively as possible. All patients’ rehabilitation is carefully planned to meet their needs.

Best Therapeutic Facility: Bloemcare Psychiatric Hospital
Bloemcare is a 116-bed private psychiatric hospital in the heart of the Free State that offers therapeutic programmes and excellent nursing care. Patients are empowered with hope, enabling them to cope with life’s challenges. Located in the tranquil suburb of Langenhoven Park, the therapeutic and homely environment is the perfect setting to regain your zest for life and discover your inner strengths and abilities.