All the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year winners

Veteran journalist Sophie Tema (Mosimane) was honoured with the Lifetime Achiever Award for her critical contribution to journalism, especially for her work during the 1976 student protests.

Cerebra MD Craig Rodney with Herman Manson, the first Vodacom Social Media Journalist of the Year. Pic: Simone Puterman.

When asked this morning, Monday 7 November, what the win means to him, Manson told Bizcommunity: "The role social media plays in how journalists gather information, interact with readers and distribute content will increasingly be coming under the spotlight at mainstream media news rooms and with journalism educators, and I think the award highlights the fact that social media in journalism isn't something the our industry can postpone dealing with any longer.

"We are in a process of establishing best practice in this field, and that is a collaborative effort, and I would encourage my media colleagues to participate in this process."

Kumi Naidoo, guest speaker at the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards gala dinner. Pic: Simone Puterman.

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Sustainable journalism

Guest speaker at the awards evening, which had a sustainable journalism theme, was Kumi Naidoo (@kuminaidoo), Greenpeace International and civil society alliance 'Global Campaign for Climate Action' (GCCA) chair. He congratulated the winners and appealed to the media to help simplify a sometimes complex message around climate change, especially ahead of COP17 taking place in Durban end of this month:

A 'tree' made out of recycled components forms part of the table decor at the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards. Pic: Simone Puterman.

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"When environmental activists, governments and NGOs talk about climate issues, they often use words and messages that are difficult for people to understand. You, as media, have the power to help unravel that message and frame it in a way that speaks to what must be done to mitigate climate impacts, and I appeal to you to continue to help us do just that and to stress the urgency for immediate action."

This year Avusa, the SABC and Media24 dominated the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, with these media houses walking away with numerous awards in different categories. The Eastern Cape region also had numerous national category winners.

All the national winners

This year's judges were: Adv Robin Sewlal (convenor), Maud Motanyane (co-convenor), Ruda Landman, Prof Johann de Wet, Mary Papayya, Victor Matom, Dr Melanie Chait, Arthur (ZB) Molefe, Collin Nxumalo, Leonard Maseko, Tim Modise, Arthur Goldstuck and Max du Preez.

Sewlal commented, "Tribute must be paid to the 2011 overall national winners, Stephan Hofstatter and Mzilikazi wa Afrika, for producing sterling work that raises the bar very high for the future of journalism."

Sewlal continued, "In this landmark 10th year of the competition, the national winning entry epitomises the very best in journalism. It is this kind of investigative journalism that keeps our politicians on their toes and kudos must be given to Stephan and Mzilikazi for being so brave in their pursuit of the truth. The more articles and broadcasts of an investigative nature there are, the more society will benefit from such close scrutiny and insights."

'Remarkable bravery and tenacity'

Portia Maurice, Vodacom chief officer of corporate affairs, said: "We are honoured to be able to pay tribute to the media. Hofstatter and Wa Afrika's win clearly demonstrates that the media's role is not only to entertain and inform us, but also to act as ethical gatekeepers in society. The bravery and tenacity displayed by these gentlemen, and in fact all the winners, is remarkable and we are so proud to reward them for this."

Wa Afrika and Hofstatter collectively won a cash prize of R125 000 (shared between the two national winners), another R125 000 for a charity of their choice, Nokia N9 handsets, return flights from Mango, weekends away at any African Pride Hotel, and Huawei S7 Slim tablets.

All the national winners received a cash prize of R15 000 each, a weekend away at any South African Protea Hotel and Nokia C7 handsets. In addition, the winner of the photography category received two return local flights from Mango.

Afrikaans rapper Jack Parow entertaining the 2011 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award gala dinner. Pic: Simone Puterman.

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Continuing the theme of sustainable journalism, Budget Car Hire provided each guest with an orange tree to offset their carbon emissions, as well as providing the journalists with a loyalty card plus voucher prizes. Mango Airlines, the official airline for the awards, also offset the carbon emissions of these flights by absorbing the Green Fees. Huawei gave away a Huawei S7 Slim tablet and five Huawei handsets as a mystery prizes at the event. Pick n Pay donated a goody bag of its green products to each winner.

The gala dinner was hosted at Vodacom World in Midrand, Johannesburg.

For more:

• Bizcommunity Search: Vodacom Journalist of the Year
  
• Bizcommunity: Social media use in journalism still evolving, as new award shows by Herman Manson, August 2011
  
• Official site: Vodacom Journalist of the Year
  
• Twitter Search: VJOY OR VJOY11 OR VJOY2011 OR "Vodacom Journalist of the Year"
  
• Google search: Vodacom Journalist of the Year