[Izethelo] An award for outstanding Journalism in the fruit industry

The main purpose of this award is:

• To motivate the media to convey the functions and activities of the industry as efficiently as possible to all role players in the target market
  
• To promote the interests of the deciduous fruit producers on a national basis and to enhance the image and products of the fruit industry
  
• To enhance the variety of excellent qualities and health value of fruit
  
• To establish and maintain unity and commitment within the fruit industry as a whole

The ultimate winner will be selected on the following basis:

• Strategic: Articles, features and reports that could influence the future of the fruit industry in SA on the long term
  
• Operational: Covering day to day general industry activities in the value chain or a series of published material
  
• Hard news: Short term, hard hitting news issues

Finalists will be selected on the basis of:

• Creativeness - Is the insertion new, original and easy to read?
  
• Best possible contribution to enhance the image of the deciduous fruit industry
  
• Topicality of insertion
  
• Is it well written and technically well presented?

How to enter

Entrants are required to submit one article or a range of published material, which has been published or broadcast between 1 August 2013 and 21 July 2014. Print entrants should submit one master copy of each article (no photocopies). Radio or Television entrants should submit entries in a DVD format. Advertorials cannot be entered for the competition.

Each entrant must complete an Izethelo entry form. The DVDs, entry forms and material must be packaged and sent in one envelope/holder per nomination. Use a separate envelope/holder for each nomination. No material entered will be returned. No original DVDs are accepted. The closing date is 21 July 2014. No late entries will be accepted.

The entries and nominations will be judged by a committee selected by the industry association of deciduous fruit. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The judges reserve the right to withhold the award depending on the merit of the entries.

The competition is open to all bona fide agricultural journalists - published articles or reports with specific reference to the fruit industry, in newspapers or magazines in South Africa or audio and visual broadcast media in South Africa. Previous winners may enter again.

You need to confirm that your entry has been received. Judging will take place during August 2014. The announcement of the winner and the handing over of this award will take place at the annual gala evening of the deciduous fruit industry on 12 September 2014. The organisers will assist the finalists with any travel arrangements and accommodation, where necessary. The finalists are responsible for the costs incurred by their spouses/partners.

For all entries or further enquiries, call Retha Louw on 021 870 2900. More information as well as the entry form are available on the HORTGRO website.