National Home Beautification Competition-Judge lists participants’ gains |26 February 2007

She said that as people prepare for it, they uplift the home’s surroundings and add more value to their property, creating a more attractive neighbourhood.

“In the process, they also secure a better quality of life caused by the improved environment in which they live,” she said, adding that the preparations lead to better lifestyles as premises are rid of, or prevented from harbouring, pests.

She said that better mental health and a sense of family unity are also created as members work together as a team, preoccupying them and keeping them away from less beneficial or detrimental activities.

She explained that participants take part at district level, where they are awarded prizes secured within and by the districts, and enter the main national competition when they secure at least 60 percent of the points required.

Then, they stand to win prizes ranging from R1,500 to R8,000 for homes and a coveted President’s Cup on which winners’ names are inscribed.

There are also inter-districts competitions for which prizes for working on special projects within districts range from R3,500 to R8,000.

A recently included category of the competition is that for the homes for the elderly, where prizes worth between R2,000 and R5,000 are to be won.

The deadline for enrolling on this year’s competition has been extended from the end of this month, and has been moved to March 15.

Enrolment forms may be collected from different districts, or the competition’s organisers at Oceangate House.