South Africa takes Africa New Media Awards

The 1820 Settlers monument was the setting for the slick show presented by SABC Africa and opened by South African music sensation, Mafikizolo, followed by a dinner hosted by SABC for the Highway Africa delegates.

Winners in these awards were rewarded for the innovative use of new media on the continent. The awards, now an annual feature of the Highway Africa conference and Digital Citizens Indaba, serve to highlight the opportunities and challenges of using new media in Africa, as a publisher, developer or journalist.

The main aim of the annual Highway Africa gathering of the continent's journalists and editors is to make news more accessible on the continent by focusing on new media tools.

The SA director-general of communications, Lyndall Shope-Mafole, opened proceedings, saying that young journalists had a challenge in reporting on Africa. “I am confident that with the calibre among you we will meet the challenges that come from our African soil.”

Professor Fackson Banda, acting head of the School of Journalism and Media Studies, said the awards highlighted the new media revolution taking place. He said technology facilitates people's interaction in democracy: “Technology is engaging people in participatory democracy. It enables people to own media. Citizens can be part of the body politic more than ever before. They are taking on the media in cyberspace… truly connecting people with their lives… to counter the disconnect.”