Magazines News South Africa

Magazine journalist takes top award

Popular Mechanics writer Sean Woods recently took top prize in the Siemens Profile Awards, a competition open to technology journalists across Africa. He beat more than 300 other entrants from 10 countries with an article titled A load of gas, describing the operation and benefits of biogas digesters.
Sean Woods: memorable paragraph, memorable award.
Sean Woods: memorable paragraph, memorable award.

In fact, Sean scored a hat trick, because aside from the top award, which includes a cash prize and an overseas trip, he won the competition's energy category and was named runner-up in the industry category, which was captured by Anthony Doman, his colleague on the magazine and a previous overall winner.

Wood's winning article relates the story of a couple in Noordhoek near Cape Town, Caryl and Peter Richmond, who decided to live the green life in style. Integral to their strategy was the installation of a biogas digester that produced gas from human waste for cooking - a process that resulted in a memorable paragraph:

"In fact, the system's demand for certain, um, essential ingredients has introduced a new twist on postprandial exchanges with guests," says Caryl Richmond.

Rather than say, 'It's been fun. We must do this again', she'll end off the evening with an invitation: 'If you enjoyed your meal, please express your gratitude by visiting our toilet.'"

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