Planning Africa Conference 2026

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Awards

Call for award nominations for Planning Excellence

In a bid to promote excellence in planning and of giving recognition to valuable contributions and outstanding work, SAPI will be making a number of National Awards at the upcoming Planning Africa 2026 Conference in Cape Town. The winners will be announced at the gala-dinner on 30 September 2026.

Closing date for online nominations is 24 June 2026

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION HERE

AWARD CATEGORIES

Professional / Individual

YOUNG PLANNER

For a bright young planner (under the age of 35) for exemplary achievements and promising for the future in the planning profession as well as his/her contribution to the promotion of the planning profession.

EXTERNAL / ASSOCIATE

For a non-planner in recognition of great contribution to the planning profession and to the cause of public benefit planning.

OUTSTANDING PLANNER

For a professional planner in recognition of outstanding planning work that demonstrates innovations and solutions impact in the state, private, academic or NGO sector developments and thereby a significant contribution to the planning profession.

SAPI MEMBER SERVICE

For a current SAPI member who has made an invaluable voluntary contribution towards building and growing the profile of SAPI and increasing value to the membership.

Institutional / Teams

LOCAL PLANNING

For a local, district or metropolitan municipality demonstrating digital innovation in formulation and implementation of Integrated Development Plans (IDP), Spatial Development Plans, District Growth and Development Plans, Human Settlement Plans, Transport Plans or any other forward spatial plans to enable sustainable and resilient futures.

REGIONAL PLANNING

For a community, organisation or institution that demonstrates innovation in applying digital tools, data and technology to improve regional development planning processes and support collaborative, sustainable and resilient development.

ACADEMIC / RESEARCH

For a planning school, organisation and/or individual who has made an outstanding contribution to innovative development planning through creative and innovative research projects.

General Eligibility and Requirements

SAPI would like to invite the public and planning fraternity to make their nominations for the 2026 SAPI National Planning Awards on or before Wednesday, 24 June 2026.

  1. Nominations for all categories, excluding the Member Service category, are open for SAPI members and non-members. 
  2. A nominee for the Member Service category must be a current SAPI member.
  3. All nominees must be registered with SACPLAN, except category two.
  4. A nominee may only be nominated once and in only one category.
  5. Submission of Motivation letter between 1-2 pages with contactable references and links where relevant for all categories.
  6. Recognition and evidence to max. of 5 pages in PDF format e.g. testimonials and compliments; photo or clippings (e.g. magazine, media articles; letters); and awards etc.
  7. Nominations are received in PDF format electronically only via the SAPI PAC website portal link here.
  8. Only complete nominations will be considered.

The SAPI National Planning Awards Selection Panel will consider nominations, and the shortlisted finalists will be notified by Friday, 30 July 2026.