As media finalists await brandhouse awards, celebrities join Drive Dry

The RDMA is open to all South African journalists who have demonstrated an effort to support the responsible drinking agenda. Any article, blog or broadcast piece featured in the South African media, which covered responsible drinking including issues related to alcohol abuse and its consequences, was eligible to enter the awards.

Now in its third year, the awards received a record number of 145 entries over nine categories. The winner of each category will walk away with R10 000 and the knowledge that he or she has helped contribute towards fellow South Africans' well-being. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, which will be held on 27 June 2013 in Cape Town.

Finalists lead the way on responsible journalism

• Best Newspaper

o Mail & Guardian: Mia Malan
o The Witness: James Siddall
o Mail & Guardian: Thalia Holmes

• Best Community

o PE Express: Crystal Watson
o Tygertalk: Vennessa Scholtz
o Southern Suburbs Tattler: Karen Kotze

• Best Magazine

o You / Huisgenoot: Kim Arendse
o Kuier: Ernusta van Wyngaard
o Move!: Siyabonga Kamnqa

• Best Broadcast

o e News Channel Africa: Mpho Lakaje
o Radio Namakwaland: Pieter Lubbe
o SABC Radio News: Minoshni Pillay

• Best Online:

o Mail & Guardian: Thalia Holmes
o Mail & Guardian: Mia Malan
o My Brew Mistress: Lucy Corne

• Best Blog:

o Car Magazine Blog: Juliet McGuire
o Faces and Voices of Recovery: James Siddall
o News24: Benjamin Moshatama

• Best Student:

o Mfm: Conrad Schwellnus

• Media House of the Year:

o Media 24
o Independent Newspapers
o Radio Namakwaland

• Journalist of the Year will be announced at the awards evening.

Judged by Chris Moerdyk, Raymond Louw, Pippa Green and Caro Smit, the 2013 judging panel represented a wide skill set and provided the awards with a credible and holistic judging approach. Finalists were chosen based on both their journalistic skill and the level of influence and support they gave the responsible drinking agenda.

"We have been overwhelmed by the level of support shown by the South African media this year and now look forward to honouring the 2013 finalists and winners at the awards ceremony later this month. Ultimately, these awards are about encouraging the media to use their platforms to promote responsible drinking. We hope to see many more stories of this nature featured in the South African press in the years to come," says Michael Mabasa, corporate relations director at brandhouse.

Celebrity pledges

Celebrities who have made the pledge so far include Alex Harris, Die Heuwels, DJ Olwee, DJ Roxxi, DJ S'bu, DJ Euphonik, DJ Snoop, Eda Rose, Francois van Coke, Heinz Winckler, J-Something from Micasa, Leigh Toselli, Mika Stefano, Ms Cosmo, Sias du Plessis, Smack Afrika, Sureshnie Rider and Vanessa Haywood.

"These celebrities have graciously used their influence to speak to consumers of all ages and hopefully make them think twice before endangering their own lives and the lives of others. We would like to thank them for their support," says Mabasa.

Drive Dry calls on all South Africans to visit the website and make a public pledge to drink responsibly. The application links to actual Facebook events and offers consumers two options - to pledge to either "drink and not drive" or "drive and not drink."

For more information, go to www.drivedry.co.za or www.facebook.com/Drivedry.