Best of PMB campaign raises the bar for business excellence

The Best of PMB and Midlands campaign is increasingly shaping consumer choice in Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands, with businesses ranked among last year’s top performers reporting higher customer demand, stronger public trust and growing pressure to improve service levels.

Driven by public votes, the annual campaign — launched last year — has become a consumer guide across sectors including healthcare, education, retail and motor sales.

Businesses across the region said the recognition delivered immediate and measurable benefits, boosting visibility while creating a more competitive environment and giving consumers greater influence over where they spend.

Paediatrician Dr Doshen Naidoo, whose practice was voted the best in the Midlands, said the recognition had significantly influenced patient choices.

The campaign has solidified our role as the best paediatric practice in the Midlands with the best outcomes.

“I have seen an influx of complex, unresolved medical cases from other practices, with good outcomes,” Naidoo said.

He said consumer-driven rankings were helping raise standards across the healthcare sector.

“It improves service delivery because patients are more informed and selective.

“The competitive environment pushes all of us to continuously improve.”

In the education sector, Epworth School reported similar gains after securing top positions across all three private education categories — pre-primary, primary and high school.

“It has positively impacted the school by raising brand awareness and visibility, and by fostering a strong sense of pride and confidence among our pupils, parents and staff,” said head of media and communication Vicky Crookes.

The school described the recognition as both “honouring and humbling”, particularly in a competitive private education environment.

As a private school operating in a competitive environment, we know that we can never rest on our laurels.

“We are constantly working to improve our offering to provide the best educational experience,” the school said.

The campaign also made an impact in the retail and motor sectors.

Ashley Samuels of BMW Pietermaritzburg said it boosted customer engagement and strengthened the dealership’s market presence.

“It has increased brand awareness, generated quality leads and helped us build stronger relationships with both existing and prospective customers.

“The campaign also encourages professionalism and customer-focused interactions, while giving us valuable feedback to improve the overall customer experience,” Samuels said.

Retail group Save Hyper said the campaign translated directly into higher customer traffic and business growth.

“It generated positive exposure, increased customer traffic, and contributed to measurable growth for businesses in the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands region,” management said.

In healthcare, Midlands Specialist Private Hospital said the campaign reinforced its standing in the community while boosting staff morale.

The campaign has strengthened trust in our brand and reaffirmed the value of the care our teams provide every day.

“It motivates teams to uphold high standards and continuously refine the patient experience,” said acting marketing manager Farrèll Drew.

Drew described being named the best hospital as “an incredibly proud moment” and a meaningful endorsement from the community.