The inaugural 2012 winner was active environmentalist Robert Forsyth, the group executive chairman of the Misty Hills Country Hotel, Conference and Spa in Muldersdrift who has completely reinvented the operations of the hotel to make it green: "Business has a responsibility to do something for the environment. We all need to ask ourselves how we can make our future bigger than ourpast."
Finalists for the award, however, showed that anyone with a green heart at the office stands a chance, regardless of designation held, size of company, or whether in the private or public sector.
The organisers of South Africa's Green Office Week initiative launched the award to bring "going green" into the mainstream by creating role models in South African workplaces and recognising those who have made a significant contribution to going green by finding creative and interesting ways to improve their department, office, dorm, or building's environmental footprint.
Green Heart spokesperson Ana-Maria Valente said that there are individuals who have true "green hearts" and are the unsung heroes of our day: "So who in your organisation deserves to be recognised? Is there someone who has taken your workplace to a new level of environmental awareness and instituted green activities for employees? We need you to tell us."
Valente said that the theme for 2013 is "Lead the team; keep it green", so bear in mind that the nominee should be a motivator - someone who encourages others to change their behaviour.
The award offers an attractive cash prize for both the winner and his nominator, among a host of other sponsored prizes. An award committee will select five finalists from the nominees and a judging panel including representatives of GOW, a recognised green expert, a sustainability director, an academic and a media partner, will make the final decision.
To make your nomination, go to www.greenofficeweek.co.za and fill in a nomination form. Entries must reach us by Friday, 26 April 2013 and the award will be presented at a luncheon on 7 June 2013.
