Recognising some of the best journalistic talent in South Africa, the winners of the 19th Vodacom Journalist of the Year (VJOY) regional awards have been announced.
Takalani Netshitenzhe, chief officer for corporate affairs at Vodacom South Africa, says “Marking VJOY in 2020 during a global pandemic, we were delighted to receive our highest ever number of VJOY entries this year. Despite the mounting difficulties which media have faced during the pandemic, journalists around the country have gone the extra mile to bring news and information to South Africans during the national state of disaster.
I was thrilled to see reporting that not only exposed corruption and criminal activity, but to see stories on how Covid-19 has illuminated social inequalities and gender-based violence in the country. Vodacom is proud of its continued association with the VJOYs and we look forward to paying tribute to the country’s top journalists in the weeks to come.”
Ryland Fisher, convener of the judging panel, said that the judges were impressed by the quality of the entries. “Despite the impact of a shrinking economy and the havoc wreaked by Covid-19 on our industry, journalists continued to do what they do best: breaking stories; writing beautiful, descriptive features; investigating corruption and other crimes; capturing the best news moments on film, video and audio; and keeping viewers, listeners and readers informed. We are proud that South African journalists have once again stepped up when confronted by a difficult situation.”
Appropriately, the theme this year is ‘Re-Imagine, Re-Invent, and Re-Build’ because the country and world as a whole has had to adapt to fast-changing times. The 2020 awards received a record number of entries - more than 1,300 from around the country. There was one change to the categories this year, which saw Innovation in Journalism replace Multiplatform and Data journalism.
Regional winners
The regional winners per category are as follows:
Free State, Northern Cape, North West & Limpopo
Lifestyle: Cheréne Pienaar with contributor Mlungisi Louw - Volksblad
Photography: Mlungisi Louw - Volksblad
Sport: André Damons - Volksblad
Features: André Damons - Netwerk 24
Financial and Economics: Vida Booysen - Landbouweekblad
Politics: Charné Kemp - Volksblad
Sustainability: Motlalepule Morake - SABC TV News
Opinion: No winner
Live Reporting and Breaking News: Aphumelele Mdlalane with contributor Thabo Katsande - SABC TV News
Innovation in Journalism Citation: No winner
Investigative: Anena Burger - Netwerk 24
Young Journalist nominee: Mamaili Mamaila - Engineering News Online
Eastern Cape
Lifestyle: Lerato Fekisi and Markus Brunner - SABC TV
Photography: Lulamile Feni - Daily Dispatch
Sport: Yanga Funani, Bulelani Scott and Agcobile Vena - SABC TV News
Features: Nkululeko Nyembezi and Lwandile Mbulali - SABC TV News
Financial and Economics: Lerato Fekisi and Gcobani Blom - SABC News
Politics: Michael Kimberley and Nomazima Nkosi - Die Herald
Sustainability: Bongani Fuzile and Sino Majangaza - Daily Dispatch
Opinion: Sithandiwe Velaphi - I'solezwe lesiXhosa
Live Reporting and Breaking News: Malibongwe Dayimani - Daily Dispatch
Innovation in Journalism: Lerato Fekisi and Markus Brenner - SABC TV News
Investigative: Sino Majangaza and Bongani Fuzile - Daily Dispatch
Young Journalist nominee: Nomvuyo Ntanjana - SABC
KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
Lifestyle: Dasen Thathiah with Susanna Holmes, Nkanyiso Mdlalose and Mcebisi Sithole - eNCA
Photography: Sandile Ndlovu - Sunday Times
Sport: Lungani Zama - New Frame
Features: Niren Tolsi - Mail & Guardian
Financial and Economics: Nokuthula Ntuli - The Witness
Politics: Zimasa Matiwane - Sunday Times
Sustainability: Jayed-Leigh Paulse with Zamani Dludla and Ndabezinhle Khumalo -SABC TV
Opinion: Bheki Mncube - The Witness
Live Reporting and Breaking News: Dasen Thathiah, assisted by Nkanyiso Mdlalose, Neil Raath and Mcebisi Sithole - eNCA
Innovation in Journalism: Gareth Jenkinson - East Coast Radio
Investigative: Tania Broughton - Sunday Times
Young Journalist nominee: Lwandile Bhengu - Sunday Times
Western Cape
Lifestyle: Willemien Brümmer - Netwerk 24
Photography: Esa Alexander – Sunday Times
Sport: Mark Gleeson – Kickoff
Features: Anso Thom, Nomatter Ndebele, Thom Pierce, Biénne Huisman – Maverick Citizen
Financial and Economics: Claire Bisseker - Financial Mail
Politics: Pauli van Wyk - Daily Maverick
Sustainability: Jay Caboz - Business Insider
Opinion: Samantha Lee-Jacobs - articles in People's Post; TygerBurger
Live Reporting and Breaking News: Nobesuthu Hejana, Lungile Tom, Balungile Dlamini – eNCA
Innovation in Journalism: Bernard Kotze, Pauli van Wyk, Tevya Shapiro – Daily Maverick
Investigative: Pauli van Wyk - Daily Maverick
Young Journalist nominee: Okhule Hlati - Cape Times
Gauteng
Lifestyle: Niren Tolsi - Mail & Guardian
Photography: Alon Skuy - Sunday Times
Sport: Kayleen Morgan - Eyewitness News
Features: Relebogile Stephens - SABC Cutting Edge
Financial and Economics: Susan Comrie, Sam Sole - AmaBhungane
Politics: Thomas Holder assisted by Ahmed Kajee - Eyewitness News
Sustainability: Sipho Kings - Mail & Guardian
Opinion: Mia Malan - Bhekisisa Centre
Live Reporting and Breaking News: Riaan Grobler with Sharlene Rood - News 24
Innovation in Journalism: Emile Bosch with Reinart Toerien, Alaister Russell & Scott Smith - TimesLive
Investigative: Jan Vermeulen - My Broadband
Young Journalist nominee: Ahmed Kajee - Eyewitness News
National finals
The regional winners will compete in the national finals on 20 November 2020.
Regional category winners receive R5,000 each, national category winners take home R10,000 each, with the coveted national accolade of Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award winner receiving R100,000. In the event of joint winners, the prize money will be shared. The winner of the young journalist award will win an all-expenses-paid overseas trip that includes a visit to the Thomson Foundation, as well as the opportunity to work in a newsroom.
The 2020 Vodacom Journalist of the Year awards panel of judges include Ryland Fisher, Jermaine Craig, Arthur Goldstuck, Franz Kruger, Patricia McCracken, Mapi Mhlangu, Collin Nxumalo, Mary Papayya, Jovial Rantao, Elna Rossouw and Obed Zilwa.