How to prepare your ACOTYA nomination
A clear story, useful evidence and signed guardian consent form the foundation of a complete entry. Follow these steps before submitting.
A strong nomination helps the review team understand a child’s contribution. You do not need elaborate language: explain what happened, what the child did and why it made a difference.
1. Start with the child’s details
Provide the full name and age of every child being nominated. Standard categories are for ages 7–13. Special Mention is for children under seven or aged 14. For a group nomination, list each child separately and explain their contribution to the shared activity.
2. Tell the “I CAN” story
Describe the achievement in your own words. What did the child set out to do? What steps did they take? Who benefited? Use specific examples and accurate details. Explain the child’s own role, including where adults or other children provided support.
3. Choose evidence that supports the story
Photos, testimonials, websites and links to videos or relevant social media can help show the work. In the online portal, supporting documents may be PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 5 MB each, with a limit of ten documents per nomination. Provide video evidence as a link. Check that the review team can access any links you include.
4. Include signed guardian consent
Every nominated child needs signed guardian consent. For a group, make sure the documents cover every child. Save your draft before uploading consent and evidence, then return to review the entry.
5. Review and submit
Previous finalists may re-enter, but previous winners cannot enter the same category again. Check names, ages, category, evidence and consent before submitting by 31 October 2026. Only fully completed and signed entries will be considered.
After submission, check the portal for questions from the team. For help, contact awards coordinator Dorcas Gwenhure on +27 11 440 7501, WhatsApp +27 84 814 7292, or email info@staceyfrufoundation.org.za.
1. Start with the child’s details
Provide the full name and age of every child being nominated. Standard categories are for ages 7–13. Special Mention is for children under seven or aged 14. For a group nomination, list each child separately and explain their contribution to the shared activity.
2. Tell the “I CAN” story
Describe the achievement in your own words. What did the child set out to do? What steps did they take? Who benefited? Use specific examples and accurate details. Explain the child’s own role, including where adults or other children provided support.
3. Choose evidence that supports the story
Photos, testimonials, websites and links to videos or relevant social media can help show the work. In the online portal, supporting documents may be PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 5 MB each, with a limit of ten documents per nomination. Provide video evidence as a link. Check that the review team can access any links you include.
4. Include signed guardian consent
Every nominated child needs signed guardian consent. For a group, make sure the documents cover every child. Save your draft before uploading consent and evidence, then return to review the entry.
5. Review and submit
Previous finalists may re-enter, but previous winners cannot enter the same category again. Check names, ages, category, evidence and consent before submitting by 31 October 2026. Only fully completed and signed entries will be considered.
After submission, check the portal for questions from the team. For help, contact awards coordinator Dorcas Gwenhure on +27 11 440 7501, WhatsApp +27 84 814 7292, or email info@staceyfrufoundation.org.za.