The Bloemfontein Courant was rated the best community newspaper in the Free State by the province’s top business owners and government officials over a 12-month period.
This was announced on Friday by PMR Africa (Professional Market Research Africa) at its Business Excellence Awards Breakfast at The President Hotel in Bloemfontein, revealing the results of an extensive research project.
The coveted award follows an independent provincial survey by PMR Africa with ratings based on the perceptions of a sample of 110 respondents comprising CEOs, MDs, business owners, company directors and managers, as well as senior government officials based in the Free State.
The research survey sought to find out which were the best companies and institutions in the province over the preceding 12 months.
The purpose of the survey is to profile the Free State Province as a growth point and potential investment area for foreign and local developers and investors.
It is also to measure companies, institutions, government entities and individuals on their contribution to the economic growth and development of the country, levels of management expertise, implementation of corporate governance and levels of innovation.
It also seeks to measure companies, institutions and government entities’ competencies, and to measure brand awareness. The ratings are based on the perceptions of the respondents.
Bloemfontein Courant was awarded the PMR.Africa Diamond Arrow Award for the best local newspaper. The Diamond Arrow Award ranks 1st overall and is equivalent to outstanding.
“It is encouraging to know that business people out there believes in Bloemfontein Courant as a community newspaper. We always try to do our best in serving the community. The PMR award is an honour to the whole Courant team and rewards the hard work that goes into the paper on a weekly basis,” said Bloemfontein Courant editor, Maricelle Botha.
She adds that receiving this award a week before Bloemfontein Courant, itself, rewards excellence in local business with its Best of Bloemfontein Readers’ Choice Awards makes it even more special.
PMR Africa’s CEO Johan Hattingh said that the awards were given to honour the teams behind successful companies, and to show South Africa that its companies can compete with others around the world.
Pulane Choane/CourantNews
pulane@centralmediagroup.co.za
