Community Media Awards 2008 winners

Sanelisiwe Fortunate Cele of Radio Khwezi has been crowned Best Overall Winner in the inaugural 2008 Community Media Awards which took place over the weekend. These awards are an initiative by SABC News, in partnership with the Media Development Diversity Agency (MDDA), National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Association of Christian Broadcasters (ACB) and the Independent Forum for Religious Broadcasting (IFRB).

2 Jun 2008

Winners

Best Presenter: Sanelisiwe Fortunate Cele - Radio Khwezi
Best Producer: Glen Ubisi - Radio Bushbuckridge
Excellence in Journalism: Rhodé Michelle Marshall - Bush Radio
Excellence in Broadcasting in Indigenous Languages: Angeline Marakoane - East Rand Stereo
Excellence in Developmental Journalism: Azhar Vardi - Radio Islam
Excellence in In-Depth News Coverage and Current Affairs: Celeste Ganga - Bush Radio
Excellence in Investigative Journalism: Chanél September - Bush Radio
Best Overall Winner: Sanelisiwe Fortunate Cele - Radio Khwezi

The winners of each category receive R10 000 and a trophy; and the overall winner R20 000, a certificate and a trophy.

No award for Best Radio Station, Station Manager

Said the judges, “Unfortunately there will not be an award for the Best Radio Station and Best Radio Station Manager. The information that was requested for the stations to send did not enable the judges to judge on the criteria given. The information was more formative than substantive. Therefore we could not make a fair and objective judgment.

“We thank and appreciate the effort from all radio stations and apologise for the inconvenience! This in no way is a reflection on the ability of any of those that entered.”

Judges, drawn from the media sector, were:

Libby Lloyd - currently self-employed and works on a range of projects including media and development issues and policy development
Pheladi Gwangwa - Radio 702 station manager
Joe Mjwara - group executive strategic relations: Business Connexion
Mapule Mbhalati - head: radio news SABC
Criselda Kananda - MD: Positive Talk Services & Metro FM Talk Host
Lawrence Ubisi - programme manager: Munghana Lonene FM
Franklin Huizies - CEO: National Community Radio Forum

According to SABC News and its partners, the Community Media Awards ceremony is the first of many to come and is a platform that will be used to reward and recognise the excellent work done by South African journalists in community radio. The objective is to encourage the community media to go beyond the call of duty and produce news and current affairs that meets the highest standard.

Promote professionalistm

It is expected that the awards will promote professionalism in the community media and build capacity in the respective areas of focus that will contribute to the growth and development of the media.

Although this year's event focused mainly on broadcasting, it is hoped that in the years ahead this event will grow into a broad Community Media Award that will include print and other electronic media such as television and the internet.

Bheki Khumalo, chairperson of the News Sub Committee in the SABC board said, “We are very excited and dedicated to nurturing talent in the journalism industry. We believe that through the Community Media Awards a high calibre of authentic South African news leaders will be bred and their work will continue to shine locally and globally.”