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Patta takes Vodacom Women in the Media

30 Jul 2009

Controversial eNews editor-in-chief, executive producer and anchor of 3rd Degree, Debora Patta, was honoured with the 2009 Vodacom Women in the Media award this afternoon, Thursday, 30 July 2009, at Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Sbu Mpongose, editor of Bona, was crowned Vodacom Rising Star. [video]

Commented Patta, “This is a great honour, especially as I was up against such formidable talent. This is a prestigious award and it sends a strong message to young women - don't just knock on the door, bash it down.”

The other three nominees were Professor Jane Duncan, the former executive director of the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) and now chair of the Media and Information Society at Rhodes University; Esmare Weideman, editor of You, Huisgenoot, Drum, You Pulse and Huisgenoot Pols magazines; and Terry Volkwyn, CEO of Primedia Broadcasting.

Said Bronwyn Keene-Young, e.tv COO, “We are proud of Debora's achievements and we congratulate her on her well-deserved win. Debora has been with e.tv since its inception in 1998, and she has trained and developed many journalists. She has also played an integral role in the launch of our 24-hour eNews Channel last year.”

Made their mark

Established in 2002 by The Media magazine, the annual competition seeks to recognise exceptional women who have made their mark within the media sphere across the content, commercial and academic fields. Previous winners have been Talk Radio 702 station manager Phaladi Gwangwa in 2008; the controversial Patricia Scholtemeyer in 2007; Ferial Haffajee, in 2006 and Libby Lloyd in 2005.

The Vodacom Rising Star Award is an accolade that applauds the efforts of a woman under the age of 30 who is already making an impact in the media. During Mpungose's role as editor of Move! magazine and now Bona, both titles experienced significant gains in circulation and readership. Mpungose joins Redi Direko, presenter for Talk Radio 702 (2008), Siki Mgabadeli, then presenter on CNBC (2007) and Tembisa Gebeda, then presenter on SABC (2006).

Representing event sponsor Vodacom, outgoing spokeswoman Dot Field said, "This is the third year of Vodacom's sponsorship and we are encouraged by the high standard of finalists and winners in this year's award programme. It is unique in that remarkable women in the media industry are recognised for their achievements at two levels - as they start out to make their mark in their chosen field and for their current and recent achievements in their jobs."