Bloemhof has made district history: the river town has been named Kwêla (kykNET) Town of the Year 2025, the first community in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District to take the national title. Beyond the bragging rights, the win puts local people, food, small businesses and hidden gems on centre stage.

Why this matters

• National spotlight: Bloemhof now gets R1 million in marketing value on kykNET, including a professionally produced 45-second TV commercial and a festive on-site celebration that will be broadcast later this year.

• Cash for community projects: Partner Lottoland donates R1 million for the town to reinvest, audited by them. Each finalist submits a business plan for how the funds will uplift the town—think precinct upgrades, tourism signage, markets, training and accessibility fixes.

• District pride & tourism: The title invites travellers to explore our local bakeries, butcheries, padstalle, heritage corners and weekend riverside outings—exactly the “ordinary magic” Kwêla celebrates.

How the competition works (in brief)

• Any SA/Namibia town under 500 000 people can be nominated (with cooling-off rules for recent winners).

• Public SMS nominations (one town per SMS) open in March; nine regions are covered (Gauteng+NW, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KZN, Namibia).

• The top three per region go to semi-final TV rounds in April; viewers vote (30 SMS limit per number).

• Nine finalists each get a Kwêla insert; final public voting runs 13–18 July; the winner was announced on 2nd August.

What the judges and viewers look for

Not just pretty postcards—people and pride: friendly streets, stand-out pastries and biltong, strong community spirit, local makers, clean public spaces, and the way a town makes you feel at home.

Over the coming weeks, expect filming, a televised celebration, and the town’s project plan for the R1 million community grant. Local groups and businesses are encouraged to align events and specials to welcome visitors and convert the spotlight into long-term footfall.

May it unlock new jobs, fresh pride and more weekend road trips across the Dr R.S.M. District.

-The VIP Team 

-Dstv – kyknet