Record number of entries for Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009

Whilst the increase is reflected across the broad range of categories, a significant number of entries were received in the community, online and photography categories.

"Vodacom is again the sponsor of this competition to help recognise the achievements of those who have excelled in bringing great stories to life for the South African public,” said Romeo Kumalo, executive director: commercial for Vodacom SA.

From its inception, the awards have proved an overwhelming success among the journalistic fraternity with past winners declaring that recognition in winning an award was "worth so much in their professional and personal capacity."

As convenor of judges of the awards, Advocate Robin Sewlal said he was "encouraged by the enhanced level of interest being displayed in the competition. The growing interest from journalists across the spectrum is not only a case of them wanting to be recognised and rewarded but also a sure signal that the awards are contributing to driving excellence in journalism. Journalists in South Africa are beginning to take themselves as well as their work seriously.”

The regional awards will be held from 1-14 September in Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, consecutively. The national awards will take place in early October in Johannesburg where the overall Vodacom Journalist of the Year will be announced. Vodacom sponsors the awards in association with 1Time Airline, Southern Sun, Sandton Sun, Media Express, Nokia and the JSE.

For more, go to www.vodacom.co.za/sponsorships/journalist_of_the_year/index.jsp.