SAPOA has seen entries increase this year to 37, up from 27 in 2013 - a rise of 40%. Entrants face higher stakes too, with prize money doubling to R20000 for 2014 winners.
"Property journalism is a specialised field that requires a detailed understanding of the built environment," says SAPOA CEO, Neil Gopal. "In addition to writing skills, property journalists need to analyse an array of legal, financial, economic and environmental considerations as they pertain to property."
"The property industry in South Africa is complex and dynamic, encompassing a wide range of issues and aspects, all of which places a high demand and responsibility on the media who report on these," says Nomzamo Radebe, MD of JHI Properties.
"As such they deserve recognition for the key role they play in communicating to the stakeholders in the industry and readers at large and the company is pleased to sponsor this event," she adds.
A panel of judges representing the fields of both journalism and property decides award winners. Entries are assessed against a checklist of key criteria such as clarity, accuracy and consistency.
This year, judges from the property sector include Nomzamo Radebe and Brian Azizollahoff - director of Capstone Property Group and chairman of the SAPOA Property Journalism Awards Committee.
From the media sector, judges include Business Day TV head of news, Vernon Matzopoulos; Business Times editor Rob Rose; and Mark Pettipher, MD, Design & Photography Services.
The two winning journalists will each walk away with R20,000 and a trophy, while winning print and online news sources will receive trophies.
