Top financial journalists acknowledged

Alec Hogg, credited for pioneering business radio in South Africa, received the Lifetime Achievement in Financial Journalism Award while Moyagabo Maake of Business Times was named Best Newcomer for 2012.

The adjudication panel lauded De Lange's writing on Marikana, saying in the citation: "What set the winner apart was the use of his knowledge and expertise both as a labour and mining specialist writer, spanning more than two decades, to interpret the events of Marikana and its likely impact for years to come. He interpreted it exceptionally - addressing the specifics from the labour reporting point of view rather than abstracts in economy, but still making the relationship quite clear."

Other winners

Ann Crotty, Business Report, and Malcolm Rees, Moneyweb - Economy and Industry (daily newspapers and online media)

Claire Bisseker, Financial Mail - Economy and Industry (magazines and weekly newspapers) and Infrastructure Development (magazines and weekly newspapers)

Jeanette Clark, Moneyweb - Personal Finance (daily newspapers and online media) and Infrastructure Development (daily newspapers and online media)

Francois Williams, Sake24 - Green Economy (daily newspapers and online media)

Kate Barry, Carte Blanche - Audiovisual media

Rob Rose, Business Times - Markets and Companies (magazines and weekly newspapers)

Stafford Thomas, Financial Mail - Green Economy (magazines and weekly newspapers)

Congratulating the winners, Sanlam group chief executive, Dr Johan van Zyl, said financial journalism continued to play an important role of informing the public. "We know that much passion and commitment goes into putting together the news and analysis and bringing it to the public. It is an integral part of business life. We believe our contribution towards recognising excellence in financial journalism also serves to encourage more quality work as evident in the entries we receive every year."

Dr Van Zyl also announced that Sanlam's Indian partners, Shriram, launched the Shriram-Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism, which were presented for the first time on 27 May 2013 in Chennai, India.

Role of financial journalism

Convener of the adjudication panel, chairman of AMB Capital, Peter Vundla, said the adjudication panel had been impressed by the talent and quality of work produced by financial journalists which was exhibited in the entries.

"It is possible that we have not had a bigger need for a cadre of financial journalists who are willing to go beyond the call of duty while maintaining heightened sensitivity towards some of the issues. We believe you are up to the task. The entries we have received bear testimony to this assertion," Vundla said.

Launched in 1974, the annual Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism Awards recognise the role of financial journalists in modern business life and reward excellence in financial journalism.

Entry for the awards is open to full time and part time South African journalists who are in the employ of any media group. The adjudication panel consists of Peter Vundla, Caroline Southey, Charles Naudé, Marina Bidoli, Maud Motanyane, Reg Rumney and Ulrich Joubert.