The Vodacom Journalist of the Year awards have once again showcased the incredible talent and dedication of South African journalists.
The FREE STATE, NORTHERN CAPE, NORTHWEST AND LIMPOPO REGION, gained national attention due to the daring escape of Facebook rapist Thabo Bester and the individuals who were entangled in the web of deceit surrounding his escape.
In addition to other significant national stories, this region serves as a reminder of the influence and vital role of the national broadcaster, as well as the value of community media.
This year, 17% of the entries for the Vodacom Journalism of the Year competition originated from this region. The judges were impressed by the calibre of the submissions in the region − impactful entries which often exposed wrongdoing at different levels of society.
LIVE REPORTING & BREAKING NEWS WINNERS
The winning entry in this region demonstrated journalistic prowess and dedication to responsible reporting. Exceptional skill and professionalism were shown in a challenging interview with a grieving mother, whose son’s body was tragically used as a decoy in one of South Africa’s most daring prison escapes. Throughout the interview, the reporter handled the delicate situation with utmost care, sensitivity, and respect, considering the emotions of the grieving family every step of the way. The regional winner is the SABC’s Kamogelo Seekoei and team for ‘SABC News speaks to the family of the deceased found in Bester’s cell’.
The judges also commend the impressive live reporting during sting operations conducted by multidisciplinary law enforcement teams in the North West Province, combating illegal mining activities by Refiloe Seboko and team a of NewzroomAfrika in ‘North West Mining Live’.
INVESTIGATIVE
The regional winner in this category showed tenacity and was steadfast in reporting one of the worst mining disasters in the history of the Free State. The piece took viewers from mud-covered Jagersfontein to demanding answers from the mining company and the government, as well as portraying the community’s desperation and the landscape’s devastation with great sensitivity. The winner of Checkpoint’s ‘Jagersfontein’ is the team of Zinhle Kanyane with Tshepo Dhlamini and Zukwisa Magosa.
The judges also commended two journalists among the other impressive submissions from this region. One was the SABC’s Neria Hlakotsa, Thapelo Kgomotshwane and Ditshwanelo Maseiafor a body of work focusing on how justice was delayed for a young rape victim. The other was Charné Kemp of Volksblad, Netwerk 24 and Noord-Kaap Bulletin, whose untiring investigations into a solar fraudster ultimately led to his arrest.
POLITICS
In this category. the judges look to recognise stories that report well and lucidly on the political sphere, shining a light on power battles within government authorities and making a difference in society.
The winning entry is a body of work comprising printed and online articles on a by-election in Kimberley. The journalist gave insight into the daily survival battles of the people in Roodepan and Platfontein, illustrated the text with compelling photographs and supplemented the analysis with easy-to-follow infographics. For meticulous and relentless reporting and giving a voice to the voiceless in ‘Die stryd om Kimberley se Wyk 1’, the winner is Charné Kemp of Volksblad, NoordKaap Bulletin and Netwerk24.
LIFESTYLE
This region’s winning lifestyle entry was an insightful piece which focused on the Khoisan people reclaiming and advancing their culture and way of life. It was entitled ‘Khoisan-stammevat hande vir bevordering van hul kultuur’ and written by Marti Will of Vista newspaper
The judges also commended two entries. One was a riveting and well-packaged story about a reformed former Zama Zama miner who became a professional diamond polisher and went to the SABC’s Lereko Motseko and Reginald Witbooi. The other was the delightful story of a village boy who turned his passion into a thriving business by establishing a 4×4 training centre for professional drivers from Mukurukuru Media’s Mokgadi Mashako for the Daily Maverick.
FEATURES
The judges were impressed by the range of carefully crafted story-telling from this region, enabling readers, viewers and listeners to immerse themselves in descriptive writing and carefully constructed narration.
In the winning entry, the journalist skilfully merged the rich history of a long-forgotten war with the culture and cuisine of the people of the Northern Cape. The regional winner is Helena Barnard for ‘Soek jou wortels (en vind Martha se melktert) by Magersfontein’ in the Noordkaap Bulletin.
The judges also commended two entries in the region. One commendation goes to Mokgadi Mashako from Mukurukuru Media for her analysis of a film unpacking Germany’s role in the killing of Namibian people in the first decade of the 20th century. The other commendation goes to Willem van der Berg for his colourful travel features, ‘Kliprand, net-net nog op die aarde’ ‘Juwele teen die diamantkus’ in Platteland and Weg! that carried the reader on a magic carpet of words and pictures to explore the region’s remote corners.
SPORTS
Two beautiful stories, both set in Kimberley’s well-known Galeshewe township and profiling the development work being done at the grassroots level, caught the judges’ eye and have been recognised as joint winners in this region.
One was a SABC News insert by Lereko Motseko and Margaret Mathibi on former boxer John Haal using his disability social grant to fund his dream of reviving boxing in the Northern Cape province by training and mentoring upcoming young boxers. The coverage of Haal realising his dream of hosting a tournament for aspiring boxers in Galeshewe, with three local clubs participating, won for its lovely storytelling and beautiful visuals.
The other joint winner, also from the SABC, was by Ditshwanelo Masiea and Reginald Witbooil Their piece on youngsters from Galeshewe taking it upon themselves to change their circumstances by mastering the skills of martial arts, was another lovely story that the judges enjoyed this year.
FINANCIAL & ECONOMIC
Less populous regions of South Africa are not an obvious source of powerful economic stories but the efforts of enterprising journalists regularly produce gems in these areas. The regional winner for Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West coincidentally ventured across three of these provinces in a quest to expose the activity of construction mafias across central South Africa. The winner is a radio piece, ‘The construction mafia: is it transformation or criminality?’, by OFM’s Olebogeng Motse.
The judges also commended the SABC’s Keith Sayster for his follow-up on the Jagersfontein slimes dam collapse.
SUSTAINABILITY
In this category, the judges look for in‐depth features that report evocatively and with insight on the challenges and solutions of establishing a sustainable future for South Africa and its heritage. Last September, the collapse of the wall of the Jagersfontein tailings dam created an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe – people and livestock were killed and land and watercourses were polluted.
For a well-researched overview of how the collapse happened and the dire consequences to those in the area that includes interviews with stricken farmers and with an environmentalist about heavy-metal pollution, and is presented with video, graphics and strong photographs, the regional winner is Netwerk24’s Alet van der Walt for ‘Jagersfontein: Visse “spring” uit water toe slik spruit tref’.
YOUNG JOURNALIST
The regional finalist for the Young Journalist of the Year competition and who will proceed to compete in the national finals is Karabo Siyoko.
WESTERN CAPE
The Western Cape regional winners:
- Live reporting/ breaking news – Victoria O’Regan, Daily Maverick for “Docking in the dark — Sanctioned Russian ship drops anchor at Simon’s Town Naval Base”.
- Investigative – Daniel Steyn and Marecia Damons, GroundUp for “Investigation into Thabo Bester’s escape from prison”.
- Opinion – Kelly Anderson, News24 for ‘I will speak up for Anele Tembe as AKA’s bronze statue takes shape’.
- Lifestyle – Willemien Brümmer, Netwerk24 for a series of articles on dementia.
- Features – Claire Keeton, The Sunday Times for body of work on bipolar disorder: “Riding the Waves” and the long-term effect of Covid, “Haunted by Long Covid”.
- Photography – Jaco Marais, Media24, Western Cape for his portfolio of work.
- Sport – Thobeka Phanyeka, Glamour Magazine for “Disruptor”.
- Financial and Economics – Steve Kretzmann, GroundUp for “Post Office has failed to pay into employees’ retirement fund for three years”.
- Politics – Joint winners Jan Gerber and Karyn Maughan, News24 for “The Impeachment of Busisiwe Mkhwebane” and Jason Felix,News24 for “Dysfunctipalities: SA’s municipalities are already problematic and those in charge aren’t qualified”.
- Sustainability – Steve Kretzmann, GroundUp for “Almost two-thirds of South African municipalities responsible for supplying drinking water to residents are either failing to provide water that meets the minimum drinking standards or simply failing to test the water they supply”.
- Innovation in journalism – Aron Hyman, TimesLive for podcast series Cape of Cocaine.
- Young Journalist of the Year Award – Tamsin Metelerkamp from Daily Maverick.
The KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga regional winners:
- Live reporting/breaking news – Dasen Thathiah with contributors Linge Ndabambi and Nkanyiso Mdlalose, eNCA for body of work on the “Gift of the Givers’ Turkiye Mission”.
- Investigative – Joint regional winners Greg Ardé and Sam Sole, Daily Maverick for The Durban Whistleblower, the assassination and the dodgy R30m ‘’dept’’
- Opinion – Nivashni Nair, The Sunday Times for “We lost more than power and water during outages”.
- Lifestyle – Mart-Marie du Toit, Muse Magazine for “Dishing up stars”.
- Features – Saziso Dlamini, Radio Khwezi for South Africa’s Unemployment rate.
- Photography – Sandile Ndlovu, Sunday Times for “King Misuzulu asserts himself at reed dance”.
- Sport – no winner.
- Financial and Economics – Greg Ardé, Daily Maverick for “Murderous construction mafias have brought many companies to their knees”.
- Politics – Soyiso Maliti, News24 for “Dysfunctipalities: nearly 300 KZN Councillors can’t read or write”.
- Sustainability – Sakhiseni Nxumalo, Sunday Times for ‘You’re sitting on top of our money”.
- Innovation in journalism – No winner.
- Young Journalist of the Year Award – Dominic Naidoo, IOL.
GAUTENG REGION
Gauteng had 500 submissions, the highest number of entries, with prevalent topics being Johannesburg’s Bree Street explosion, the impact of load shedding, and issues regarding national security.
“We received impressive work on the fight against corruption, including exclusive investigations that covered a wide range of individuals involved in combating corruption. We would like to express our special gratitude to media owners, philanthropic founders, and those who continue to support quality journalism by paying for it. The exceptional journalism produced in this region exemplifies why we should continue to celebrate and honour the country’s journalistic endeavours,” the judges say.
The Gauteng regional winners:
- Live reporting/breaking news – Joint winners, Ziyanda Ngcobo, with contributors Linda Mnisi, Karinda Jagmohan, Natalie Malgas, Mweli Masilela, Newzroom Afrika for “King Misuzulu Coronation Live Coverage”, and Kgomotso Modise, Eyewitness News for “The recapture of Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana”
- Investigative – Jeff Wicks, News24 for ‘Silenced – Why Babita Deokaran was murdered”.
- Opinion – Zongile Nhlapo, Eyewitness News for “Motherhood isn’t defined by my ‘non-verbal son calling me mom’”.
- Lifestyle – Zukiswa Cetywayo, Newzroom Afrika for “Tembisa Drug Rehabilitation Movement steps up efforts”.
- Features – Mbasa Khwaza and contributors Tshepo Dhlamini, Sindisiwe Mpahlwa and Tshidiso Lechuba, NCA Checkpoint for “Ulwaluko”.
- Photography – Elizabeth Sejake, Rapport for “The Calling to Restore: Embracing the ancestral calling”.
- Sport – Njabulo Ngidi, AmaBhungane for “2010 World Cup $10m ‘bribe: South Africa left out even as $201m returned to Fifa”.
- Financial and Economics – William Horne, Netwerk24 for dual entry: “200 dae van beurtkrag: Donker prentjie word al donkerde” and Eskom: “Dis hoekom De Ruyter se projek vir instandhoudeing misluk”.
- Politics – Harri Vithi and team, Carte Blanche for “Of Parties and Puppets”
- Sustainability – Laura Grant and team Paul Botes, Tanya Pampalone, Leonie Joubert, Gemma Gatticchi, Gemma Ritchie, Ciaran Otter, Alastair Otter and Steve Kretzmann, Media Hack for “A Perfect Storm.
- Innovation in journalism – Joint winners Kgomotso Modise, Eyewitness News for his deft combination of Twitter Spaces, podcasts and broadcast to cover the Meyiwa Trial and Johannes Steyn, MyBroadband for a vast and in-depth investigation into “South Africa’s biggest-ever mobile network quality testing”.
- Young Journalist of the Year Award – Kamogelo Motecwane, Soccer Laduma.
EASTERN CAPE REGION
The Eastern Cape brought attention to the daily struggles experienced by rural and urban communities, ranging from unscrupulous lawyers taking advantage of the less fortunate to the fight against social issues such as alcohol abuse and drug dealing.
The judges were particularly impressed by the determination of journalists to continue pursuing stories and their ability to shed light on crime, social unrest, and politics.
The Eastern Cape regional winners:
- Live reporting/ breaking news – Ronald Masinda with contributor Nceba Ntlanganiso, eNCA for “Dutwya Hostage Drama”.
- Investigative – Tarryn Crossman, Carte Blanche for “Finding Zuko Nonxuba”.
- Opinion – Tembile Sgqolana, Daily Maverick for “Komani is reeling from power outages that last for weeks”.
- Lifestyle – Lulamile Feni, Daily Dispatch for “Young man presumed dead after fleeing initiation school walks 250km to safety”.
- Features – Sipamandla Kema and contributor Ruan Visser, Carte Blanche for “Decades of War”.
- Photography – Lulama Zenzile, Netwerk24 for “Die Oos Kaap Leerling gaan deur diep water vir onderring”.
- Sport – Anathi Wulushe and contributor Bomikazi Midiya, Daily Dispatch for body of work.
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- Financial and Economics – Joint winners Aphiwe de Klerk and Sithandiwe Velaphi, Daily Dispatch for “Load-shedding to blame for closure of R38,5 million abattoir’” and “Bhisho forfeits R100m while schools suffer” respectively.
- Politics – Lulamile Feni, Daily Dispatch for “I remember the Bhisho massacre like it happened last year”.
- Sustainability – Joint winners Lerato Fekisi, SABC for “Sections of the manganese ore transport and storage sector in Nelson Mandela Bay remain under fire” and Tembile Sgqolana, Daily Maverick for “Causes of fish die-off and stench at Jeffreys Bay’s Seekoei Estuary still a mystery”.
- Innovation in journalism – No winner.
- Young Journalist of the Year Award – Rosa-Karoo Loewe, Daily Dispatch.
The 2023 VJOY judging panel was convened by Mapi Mhlangu, with Neo Ntsoma joining the panel to assist with the photography category.
Judges included Jermaine Craig, Ryland Fisher, Arthur Goldstuck, Patricia McCracken, Professor Gilbert Motsaathebe, Collin Nxumalo, Jovial Rantao, Elna Rossouw, Advocate Robin Sewlal and Obed Zilwa.
The national awards ceremony takes place in Johannesburg on Thursday, 30 November.
READ ALSO: Vodacom Journalist of the Year announces the 2023 regional winners for KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
