To ensure fairness, transparency, and the highest standard of recognition, all entries for the Known Media & Business Awards (KMBA) must comply with the following rules and regulations:

1. Eligibility Requirements

• Open to South African citizens or permanent residents.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older (unless applying for youth-specific categories).
• Nominations must reflect work done within the past 18 months.
• Entrants may self-nominate or be nominated by a third party (with consent).

2. Submission Criteria

Nominations must be submitted through the official form on www.knownmagazine.africa.

Submissions must include:

• Nominee’s name and contact info.
• Category selection.
• Motivation statement (max 500 words).
• Supporting documentation (e.g. media, CV, business registration, or work samples).
• Incomplete or fraudulent entries will be disqualified.

3. Judging & Selection Process

A panel of independent judges will assess entries based on:

• Impact.
• Innovation.
• Relevance to category.
• Sustainability or measurable success.
• Some entries or entrants may be called for an in person or virtual interview with the judges.
• The judging process is confidential and final.
• The Judges will determine entries that will be put up for nomination in each category.
• Categories will include a public voting component, weighted accordingly.

4. Awards and Recognition

• Winners will receive a KMBA trophy and certificate and extensive media exposure on Black Excellence Network, Black Excellence Podcast and Sibizi TV.
• Certain sponsored categories may include additional prizes, funding, or business opportunities.
• 3 months advertising opportunity for winning brands or businesses on Known Magazine website and flipbook.
• 3 months video advert placement on KMBA platforms, Known Magazine social, newsletters and website. 
• A 1 month sponsored shoutout of each brand on the Known Magazine social media platforms.
• Special cover feature for each winner (Group cover on the following issue after awards).
• Will be part of the first members of the Known Network.
• Each winner will receive special invites and exclusive updates on Known Magazine's future events and networking opportunities.
• Each winner will receive a KMBA goodie bag.

5. Code of Conduct

• Entrants and attendees must uphold the integrity of KMBA.
• KMBA reserves the right to disqualify any nominee found to engage in misconduct, defamation, or fraudulent activity.
• All entrants who are nominated for an award will cover their own expenses for the award night and in person interviews. It is within all nominees personal capacity to ensure that they are covered for accommodation, logistic and overall travel as the awards will be held in Durban South Africa. KMBA will take no responsibility for the above mentioned.

6. Attendance 

• All nominees will receive an extra pass for a plus one.
• There will be no tickets sold - by invite only.
• If a nominee will not be able to make it to the awards, they must notify our team in advance.

7. Legal Disclaimer

• KMBA assumes no liability for false or misrepresented entries.
• KMBA reserves the right to cancel or amend any category or rule as needed.
• KMBA reserves the right to cancel, extend or postpone the awards ceremony at their own discretion - in doing so the public and participants will be notified in due time.

8. Consent and POPIA Compliance

• By submitting an entry, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
• Your data may be used for communication, marketing, and award-related purposes only, and will not be shared with unauthorized third parties.