The closing date is June 23 for nominations for the Shoprite Checkers/SABC3 Woman of the Year. This annual awards competition pays tribute to women of vision and courage, who serve as role models to others and provide tangible evidence that success can be achieved despite a lack of resources, indifference and other obstacles. The work done by the winners receives tremendous exposure via the award. Opportunities that come their way after this exposure include expanded work contracts, visits abroad and opportunities to undertake speaking engagements to a variety of local and international audiences.

Among the seven categories is one for Arts and Culture. Nominees in this category need to have fostered one or more of the art forms and/or cultures in South Africa within communities. This could have been done through her own artistic or cultural creations or her development of the work of others. Each category winner receives R2,000 with the overall winner receiving R20,000. Last year’s overall winner was Ria Ivy Ledwaba, successful football administrator and founder of the Ria Stars soccer club.

The nominee's achievements must be visible from May 1994 and her most prominent work should have been done between June 1999 and June 2000. The event will be broadcast by SABC3 on National Women's Day, August 9 at 19h00. Nominations need to reach the organisers by June 23 and are available from all Shoprite Checkers stores. More details from PO Box 1, Withoppen, Sandton, 2068. Phone (011) 807-2167 or fax: (011) 807-4070. E-mail: calibro@sancelink.co.za