Awards in recognition of personal achievements in the field of Agricultural Extension is considered by the SASAE Board annually. Awards take the form of medals, certificates, trophies and honorary membership. Awards are considered as an instrument to:

Promote the objectives of the society, and
Serve as an incentive for specific activities such as Extension research and the publication of Extension reports.
Branch Chairpersons are requested to share the nomination form. Full submissions must be submitted according to the awards procedures (as outlined in the by-laws) and be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Awards Committee, Ms. Lethabo Mashamaite, at awards@sasae.co.za, not later than 31 May 2025.

Nominator and Nominee: Any active SASAE member.

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS AND THE RESPECTIVE CRITERIA

GOLD MEDAL

A Gold Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made outstanding contributions promoting the science and scientific practice of Agricultural Extension.  The award is based on:

• Exceptional quality of scientific contribution(s) towards extension; and

• Exceptional contribution(s) in the fields of leadership and policy formulation in the broader context. 

SILVER MEDAL

A Silver Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made a special contribution(s) to promoting Agricultural Extension.  Nominees will be assessed on the quality of published scientific papers and/or reports. 

BRONZE MEDAL

A Bronze Medal may be awarded to a person (or group of persons) who has made a meritorious contribution(s) to promoting Extension as a science, or the scientific application of Agricultural Extension at an operational level.

TIM BEMBRIDGE EXTENSION MANAGEMENT AWARD (BRONZE)

A person who has demonstrated outstanding extension management will be selected for this award.  The recipient of this award should have made substantial management contributions to extension on a continuous basis.  Nominations should describe and document the nominee’s accomplishments in the areas below:

• Personal Commitment: exerts extraordinary dedication and effort in support of extension programmes, activities and services. 
• Self-improvement: strives to increase competencies and capacities, participates in opportunities for growth and maintains active involvement in professional activities. 
• Achievement: is goal-oriented, sets an example for others, has demonstrated significant accomplishments in successful extension projects/programmes of officers under his / her control and has acquired noticeable peer recognition. 

SASAE FLOATING TROPHY FOR A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL 

A young extension officer (with ten years or less service) who has demonstrated a combination of service, leadership and participation in conferences relating to agricultural extension will qualify for this award.  The recipient of this award should have made substantial contributions to the profession in service, leadership and conference participation, but the contributions do not have to be equal.  Nominators should describe and document the nominee’s accomplishments in the following areas where applicable:

• Personal Commitment: demonstrates extraordinary dedication and effort in support of agricultural extension programmes, activities and services. 
• Meritorious Contributions: has made significant contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of agricultural extension.
• Achievement: is goal-oriented, sets examples for others, has demonstrated significant accomplishments in successful extension projects/programmes and has acquired noticeable peer recognition. 
• Conference Participation: evidenced by listing of journal articles, papers and presentations related to agricultural extension issues and topics.

TRANSVAAL BRANCH FLOATING TROPHY

The trophy may be awarded to a person(s), or a team, who in the opinion of the Council, have during the course of the previous year(s), informed fellow Extensionists of a successful extension action or actions by means of a popular scientific article or articles, or any other appropriate communication. 

CERTIFICATE FOR CO-ORDINATED EXTENSION

The certificate may be awarded to a group of extensionists who, as a team, have launched a successful extension programme.  The following criteria will apply:

• Team involvement of Extensionists representing one or more organisations.
• The degree to which the respective farming community was involved.
• The degree to which planning was done according to set objectives and coordinated work schedules.
• The method or methods employed addressing audience delineation, audience engagement, the use of communication channels and evaluation.
• The complexity of the message conveyed.
• The efficiency of the co-ordination exercise; and
• The behavioural change effected in the community.

HONORARY MEMBERSHIP

Council may grant honorary membership to persons who, over a period of years:

• Have made an exceptional contribution(s) towards the development and application of the science of Agricultural Extension. 

          or

• Have rendered out-of-the-ordinary inputs/services to promote the interests of the South African Society for Agricultural Extension. 

LOUBIE LOUBSER FLOATING TROPHY

The trophy may be awarded annually to the most active Branch of the Society.  The following criteria will apply, namely:

• The excellence of organised actions of the Branch in the interest of its members and the promotion of member involvement.

• The degree of involvement of the Branch in the business of and actions initiated by the Council; and

• The quality of inputs made towards the promotion of the science of Extension.

MOTIVATION OF AWARDS

The following particulars concerning the nominee(s) should accompany all submissions for SASAE awards:

• Personal:                Full name(s)

                                            Age(s)

                                            School qualifications

                                            Post-school qualifications

• Service record:        Employer(s)

                                              Capacity(ies)

                                              Work done (Clear explanation of planning inputs and results achieved, with emphasis on the application of Extension principles.)