The Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards is regarded as one of South Africa's premier journalism honours, with more than R1 million in prize money, making it one of the richest accolades in SA journalism. The central regional winners were announced at a function in Bloemfontein on Friday 3 October, western regional winners in Cape Town on Monday 6 October, and eastern regional winners in Port Elizabeth on 7 October. These regional winners, who each received R7500, will now compete in the national finals.
| Category | Central regional winners | Western regional winners | Eastern regional winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print feature | Anton Smith of Passi magazine | Paul McNally, Men's Health and Willemien Brummer, Die Burger | Brett Horner, Chandre Prince, Ntando Makhubu from the Daily Dispatch |
| Print news | Henry Cloete of Volksblad | John Yeld, the Cape Argus | Brian Hayward, Weekend Post |
| Cartoonist | Gavin Petersen of Volksblad | Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro), Independent Newspapers | Mark Wiggett, The Herald |
| Columnist | Christo van Staden of Volksblad | Lauren Beukes, The Big Issue and Marlene Malan, Rapport | Sam Mkokeli, Weekend Post |
| Financial Economic | Vida Booysen of Sake 24 | Ingi Salgado, Business Report | Siya Miti, Daily Dispatch |
| Sport | Cindè Greyling, Passi magazine | Yusuf Jackson, Daily Voice | Luxolo Mantambo, Daily Dispatch |
| Radio News | Solly Mphatso, SAFM | Liesl Smit, 94.5 KFM | Veronica Fourie, RSG |
| Radio Feature | Owen Kock, OFM | Mercedes Besent, SAFM AM Live | Zimkhita Macingwane, SABC News |
| TV News | Charlene and Eddie Stanley, e News Prime Time | Lester Kiewit, e News Prime Time | Janine Lee, SABC News |
| TV Feature | Charlene and Eddie Stanley, 3rd Degree | Barbara Friedman, 3rd Degree | Jessica Pitchford, Special Assignment |
| Photography | Emile Hendricks of Volksblad | Simone Scholtz, De Kat | Eugene Coetzee, The Herald |
| Online | No entries | Olivia Rose-Innes, Health 24 | Andrew Trench, Dispatch Online |
| Community Media | No winner | Shafiq Morton, Muslim Views | Bev Mortimer, St Francis Chronicle |
| Editor's Choice | No entries | Lauren Kansley, Daily Voice | Brian Hayward, Weekend Post |
This is the seventh year that network provider Vodacom has rewarded excellence in journalism in recognition of the very real impact journalism has on society. The 2008 Vodacom Journalist of the Year winner will win R125 000 in cash, as well as being given the opportunity to plough back into the community and donate R125 000 to an official charity of his or her choosing. National winners receive R15 000 and a BlackBerry smartphone.
Regional and national judges include Dr Melanie Chait, Johann de Wet, Sandra Gordon, Victor Matom, Rich Mkhondo, Phil Molefe, ZB Molefe, Maud Motanyane, Collin Nxumalo, Sefako Andrew Nyaka, Mary Papayya, Lizette Rabe and Robin Sewlal.
For more information, go to www.vodacom.co.za/sponsorships/journalist_of_the_year/overview.jsp.
