Cape Town has been named city of the year in Engen's annual competition for SA's most popular town, village and city.
Knysna was town of the year after more than 2,5 million votes were cast over two months.
Montagu was village of the year, giving the Western Cape a clean sweep in the competition.
Cape Town Tourism manager Sheryl Ozinsky was "extremely thrilled" and said it was thanks to the work done by Team SA, including all the tourism authorities and marketing agencies, that Cape Town performed so well.
She said the award was a further indication of the growing local and international recognition of Cape Town as a tourism destination. In all, over 1 500 destinations were nominated in the three categories.
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa said at the announcement in Cape Town: "The competition has reminded all South Africans of the beauty and richness of our country, and has encouraged each one of us to take pride in our country.
"It has further given tourists, both local and international, a window into the wonderful tourism products offered by South Africa."
He further praised the winners for keeping their environment clean and attractive to tourists.
Said Moosa: "The latest tourism statistics show that the number of overseas tourists who visited the country in the first 10 months of 2002 increased by an impressive 17,1 percent when compared to the same period in 2001. Working together as government, business and civil society, we can ensure that in 2003 South African tourism reaches even greater heights."
Knysna Tourism chief executive Michael Bertram said: "We won the inaugural award in 2000 and we were determined that the accolade of SA's favourite town would remain here.
"It has been fantastic that Engen has once again supported the development of the South African Tourism brand with the competition and it has been great for local tourism."
Montagu Tourism chairperson Mike Worthington-Jones said: "We have a special village, one of the five unique villages that along with Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson make up the heart of Route 62.
"By winning this award we hope that more tourists will discover our village".
The runner-up in the city category is Durban, Sabie was named second most popular village and Mossel Bay followed Knysna in the town category.