Wanted: The Best In Magazine Journalism - Reward!

From fashion to foodstuff, business to bungee-jumping, medical research to deep-level mining, the judges are calling for examples of outstanding, thought-provoking and ground-breaking magazine journalism in 15 categories. Entrants stand in line to win a total of R150,000 in prize money, or R10,000, the coveted "Mondi Nib" and a framed certificate in each category.

The 'Mondis', as they are popularly known, have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Mondi Business Paper and the Magazine Publishers Association of South Africa.

"These awards are a celebration and a symbol of everything we love about magazines, and the people whose skill, talent, and labours of love make them what they are," says journalist Gus Silber, convener of the judging panel.

The competition welcomes entries from journalists, reporters, columnists, photographers, designers and illustrators whose work has been published in any eligible magazine (consumer, trade, technical or professional) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004. Entries must be received no later than close of business on Friday, February 25, 2005.

The categories are: Business; Industry; Health and Wellness; Beauty; At Home; Foresight; Commentary and Critique; Fashion; Visual Impact; Travel, Sport and Leisure; Columns; Photography; Profile; Reportage; and Features.

"Profile is a new category, introduced to recognise and reward outstanding work in a fundamental yet often-overlooked arena of magazine journalism," says Silber. "The eye-opening, in-depth pen-portrait of a person of note or notoriety."

In other revisions to the list of categories, in response to industry feedback and changing magazine dynamics, Sport & Leisure becomes Travel, Sport, & Leisure, to more accurately reflect the spread of interests; Design and Illustration has been renamed Visual Impact, broadening the focus from straight layout into other areas of visual and graphic design; while Commentary and Critique takes the place of Reviews and Essays and Fiction.

The judges for this year's panel, convened by Gus Silber, are: Anna Boshoff, magazine editor and communications consultant; Dion Chang, journalist and trend consultant; Paula Fray, Harvard Nieman Fellow and media trainer; Ferial Haffajee, editor of the Mail & Guardian; Sue Grant-Marshall, journalist and author; Joe Khumalo, journalist and columnist; TJ Lemon, photographer; Rico Schacherl, cartoonist; and De Waal Venter, critic and author.

The 2004 Mondi Magazine Awards ceremony will take place at The Castle in Kyalami, Gauteng, on 18 May 2005. Finalists will receive a framed certificate.

Entries must be addressed to Susan Edey, Print Media S.A., 5th Floor, North Wing, Nedbank Gardens, 33 Bath Avenue, Rosebank. For further information or a Call for Entries booklet, please contact Susan on (011) 721 3200 or .