THE VODACOM JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR 2009

Cape Town (2 September 2009) - The winners of the Western Region of the prestigious Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009 were announced at the annual ceremony in Cape Town.

The regional winners, who were rewarded in fourteen categories will now compete in the national finals which will take place on Friday, October 9, at Vodaworld, Midrand in Gauteng.  

The Vodacom Journalist of The Year, now in its eighth year, has proved a resounding success with South African journalists and photographers alike, who are honoured for their excellence in a highly competitive profession. The competition remains a prestigious tribute for members of the media as a highly treasured endorsement of the quality of their work.

Another incentive is the more than R1-million in prize money from Vodacom, South Africa's leading network, making the competition one of the richest accolades in South African journalism.

The Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009 winner will win R125 000 in cash as well as being afforded an opportunity to plough back into the community by donating a further R125 000 to an official charity of his or her choosing. In addition, the National winners each receive R15 000 and the latest Nokia E71.

As Convenor of Judges of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009, Advocate Robin Sewlal said "it was encouraging to note the increased number of entries this year. This is a clear indication that the Vodacom Journalist of the Year is continuing with its significant role by providing an enabling environment in the promotion of excellence in journalism. There is a great improvement in the quality of entries." He added that the rewards enjoyed by the winning entrants will no doubt spur them to reach greater heights back in their respective newsrooms. Sewlal further hopes that colleagues will be inspired to also put themselves in line for awards in years to come.

Romeo Kumalo, Commercial Director for Vodacom South Africa commented "Vodacom is committed to supporting journalism in South Africa, and we're pleased to help recognise the achievements of those media who have excelled in bringing news to the South African public." 

Kumalo added, "The awards not only give credit to hard-working journalists and media from all spheres of the profession but help to continuously raise the bar in pursuit of excellence. This results in a strong and vibrant media which is important to any free and democratic society and we are delighted to be able to have played a small role in this. Congratulations to all regional winners and we wish them the best of luck in the National Finals."

The Vodacom Journalist of the Year is sponsored by Vodacom in association with 1Time Airline, Southern Sun, The Sandton Sun, Media Express, Nokia and the JSE.

The winners of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009 Western Region are:

Television News

The winner is: Talia Sanhewe, CNBC for The Broccoli Project

The judges said: This is an example of a journalist finding her own story and making it a news piece.   It brings together different elements of entrepreneurship, corporate responsibility and socially responsible behavior being rewarded.   Only 8% of South Africans have been tested for HIV and this news item focuses on innovating ways of getting more people to be tested in order to know their status and take appropriate action.

Television Feature

The winner in this category is: Elizabeth Kay Fish, for Carte Blanche for the insert "Fish Fraud"

The judges said: This is an example of investigative journalism at its best.  This journalist stayed with the story for four months using innovative investigative techniques, posing as different people, getting the buy-in of all relevant institutions to do the necessary scientific probing to validate her findings.  The feature had such wide ramifications that newspapers ran front page stories on it and it was aired for two weeks running.  What it also highlighted, is the role of the journalist as a watchdog for often unsuspecting consumers. 

Print News

Our winner in the category is Sipokazi Maphosa, from Cape Argus for her story "A city's shame".

The judges said: After a tip off from a colleague, this journalist drops everything to pursue the story. Her contact base and investigative skills finally leads her to her subject. Pressed for time, deadline looming she has to conduct the interview on the telephone. It is delicate subjects she has to talk about but manages to get the corporation of the mother. What results in a story of shame, abuse and neglect of the poor - the granny who trudged from clinic to clinic to get help for her grandson. She is turned away three times until the toddler died on her back. The story led to other people neglected in hospitals to come forward.

Print Feature

Our winner in this category is Leila Samodien from the Cape Argus for her painfully gripping two-part series of Ellen Pakkies, her mother who killed the tik addicted son.

The judges said: It is a story which touched all levels of people - poor, wealthy, young and old. It is a story which tells of our social ills and illustrates the desperate measures, people go to when they fail to cope and have no support. Having gained the trust of her subject, the journalist conducts a series of painstaking interviews with her. She manages to get into the shoes of her subject and manages to give a fair account of what went on in the mind of this woman.

Radio News

The winner is Primedia News Reporter - Regan Thaw.

The judges said: Entrants in this category submitted stories on a range of topics which touches the lives of the people of the Western Cape. The quality was of a high standard. Three stories stood out:

Malungelo Booi for his piece on the death of a baby on his granny's back after three health institutions allegedly tuned her away.

Giovanna Gerbi on her exclusive investigative story on illegal ambulance operators who take victims for a ride thus endangering their lives of accident victims;

The third story and winning entry the stunning and gripping news coverage on Child Murders in the Western Cape. The story was well packaged, of a high standard and epitomised all the ingredients that make for a good radio news story.

Radio Feature No Winner

Financial/Economic - sponsored by the JSE

The winner is Claire Bisseker of the Financial Mail

The judges said: The writer has an exceptional knowledge of the matters of an economic and financial nature. Her understanding of economic trends assisted her in making correct assessments about the direction and impact on the recession and how this was going to effect the country but more so the regional economies which saw shedding jobs on an unprecedented scale.

Columnist

For his column titled "My Boulevard of Broken Dreams", the winner, from the Bolander, is Norman McFarlane

The judges said: The journalist has dug deep and gone back through the tracks of time to pen this winning column.  The individual skilfully blends in personal experiences into the developments in the country. The piece ought to resonate with many a South African in one way or another.

Cartoonist

For his "Rape of Justice" cartoon the winner is Jonathan Shapiro for the Sunday Times.

The judges said: Judging a cartoon is no small matter. A host of criteria come into play, including its news value: creativity; conceptual (also metaphorical and symbolic) clarity; caricaturing; timing and in-depth understanding of what is shaping opinion. All of these mentioned criteria were accounted for in the winning entry. But it went above this: it has wide impact in South Africa and abroad.

Photography

Winner: Noor Slamdien  of the Daily Voice for  War-Fare

The judges said: When taxi operators took to the streets to complain about the Bus Rapid Transport, the photographer captured a once-in-a-life time moment that encapsulates the heat, tension and humour of this instant in graphic detail. 

Sport

For the well-written and balanced story, which includes original copy form the Ministry of Sport and Recreation, on the future of the ‘bok emblem, the winner is Norman McFarlane of the Bolander

The judges said: Emblems in South African sport, especially the ‘bok emblem in rugby, have evoked much controversy over the years. A new recent take on the ‘bok emblem was that it is a trademark and brand which has a calculable value running into many millions of rands.

Community Media

The winner is Munadia Karaan of The Voice of the Cape for "Muslim Marriage Act to make Global History"

The judges gave this award for spotlighting an important piece of legislation.

Online

The winner in this category is Alfred Mautsane Thutloa with his "Visiting Gogo" piece, which appeared in parent24.com

The judges said: The topic of family ties evokes a variety of emotions among all of us in regard to those who love us unconditionally.

For his endearing piece, which touches on the thinning of family relationships in modern times, and more so the alienation of the grandparents from their grandchildren.

Editors Choice

The winner in this category is Diane Hawker of ENews Prime Time/ENews Channel.

 

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