KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga regional winners announced for the 2025 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards

The 2025 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards have revealed the regional winners for KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Media professionals across these provinces are celebrating achievements in 12 categories, with journalists presenting exceptional entries that highlight the very best of their work over the past year.

This year, we received more than 1 330 submissions, received from journalists nationwide, exceeding last year's 1 200 entries. These two regions contributed 168 remarkable entries.

"In an era of AI and digital platforms, credible journalism is crucial. Traditional media holds power accountable and ensures transparency. Vodacom South Africa proudly honours excellence in journalism, highlighting its vital role in society and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the media industry," said Imran Khan, Managing Executive for Vodacom KwaZulu Natal Region.

"Vodacom KwaZulu Natal region is investing over R1 billion this financial year on building new network sites, modernising its mobile networks, full fibre broadband rollout and energy projects to accelerate broadband connectivity and provide customers with excellent service. Critically, and to bridge the digital divide in remote areas of the province, the region will  invest circa R100 million to build 106 new base station sites in deep rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. The investment underscore our commitment to expanding network coverage for those living in deep rural areas and townships across the province and to connect to them to the Internet Age, so they can harness socio-economic benefits brought about by broadband connectivity," he added.

Ryland Fisher, with more than 45 years of experience in the media industry as an editor, journalist and columnist, continues to serve as the convener of the judging panel. The judging panel remains unchanged from last year and includes Arthur Goldstuck, Collin Nxumalo, Dr Elna Rossouw, Obed Zilwa, Advocate Robin Sewlal, Neo Ntsoma, Patricia McCracken, Professor Gilbert Motsaathebe, Manelisi Dubase, Portia Kobue and Jovial Rantao.

"The experienced judging panel had vigorous debate about the winners, because the quality of entrants were once again very good. I extend our gratitude to the panel for their hard work and dedication in recognising the country's top media talent," said Fisher.

The categories, in which regional winners will each receive R5 000 in prize money, include:

• Live reporting/ breaking news – Sakhiseni Nxumalo from News24 for "They disappeared one by one': KZN teen recalls horrific night he lost 3 siblings to deadly floods"
• Investigative – None
• Opinion – Nivashni Nair from TimesLIVE for "This is not a movie, it's our lives"
• Lifestyle – Jayed-Leigh Paulse with contributors Japan Mathebula and Justine Robilliard from SABC for "A retired neurosurgeon is undertaking a 7-thousand-kilometer motorbike ride to the furthest parts of South Africa to raise funds to provide access to medical care to vulnerable children"
• Features – None
• Photography – Sandile Ndlovu from TimesLIVE for "Blowing away the blues"
• Sport – Carol Albertyn Christie with contributors Macfarlane Moleli, Ryan Logie and Dan Clayton from Carte Blanche for "Chess for change"
• Financial and Economics – None
• Politics – Greg Ardé with contributor Sam Sole from AmaBhungane for "All eyes on ANC bigwigs after NPA bags big witness"
• Sustainability – Tony Carnie from Daily Maverick for "Coal hunters encircle Africa's first wilderness and rhino sanctuary"
• Innovation in Journalism – None

The Young Journalist nominee for the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga region is Prashalan Govender of The Witness, who will compete for the national Young Journalist of the Year Award.

The regional winners will compete against other regional winners for the national title. The national winners will be announced on 4 December at an awards ceremony where they will each receive R10 000, while the overall Vodacom Journalist of the Year titleholder will win R100 000.

The Vodacom Young Journalist of the Year award overall winner will be able to enrol in a course of their choice, to the value of R50 000 towards enhancing their craft and career prospects in Journalism.