Standard Bank and Sanef congratulate the winners of the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards
29 June 2025
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), in partnership with Standard Bank, the proud sponsor of the Sikuvile Journalism Awards, extends congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, which took place last night at The Venue in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
The evening celebrated journalistic excellence and integrity, recognising the brave, ethical, and impactful work done by South African journalists across print, digital, broadcast, and multimedia platforms.
A special and hearty congratulation goes to Kyle Cowan of News24, named Journalist of the Year. The judges praised Cowan’s exceptional investigative reporting on the 18 March 2023 assassinations of Cloete and Thomas Murray, a father-and-son liquidation team, calling it “remarkable in both ability and tenacity.” The story uncovered key details from police sources and exposed the broader implications of corruption and organised crime. “This underscores the critical role good sources play in investigative journalism,” said the panel.
The Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year Award went to Buyeleni Sibanyoni of AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, whose piece “Joburg awards R263-million water tanker tender to two 20-somethings” exposed red flags including price manipulation, collusion, and irregular tender allocations. The judges hailed the story for its sophistication and the journalist’s promise for future excellence.
The Allan Soga/Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon veteran journalist Phil Mtimkulu for his decades-long commitment to media freedom and the democratic cause. From apartheid-era resistance journalism, the panel said Mtimkulu’s contribution reflects the finest standards of integrity and craftsmanship.
Sanef’s chairperson, Makhudu Sefara, in his address, noted that the global media landscape has become increasingly perilous for journalists. He said that according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), 129 journalists and media workers were killed in 2023, and another 122 in 2024. These brave individuals were not only reporting from a war zone but were often targeted, labelled partisans, and tragically, many were killed along with their families.
He highlighted the central theme of the awards, ‘Guardians of Democracy: Upholding Integrity in a Changing World’, saying journalists must continue serving the public interest through fearless storytelling, safeguard their integrity, and hold fast to the ideals of their craft. “Let us raise our voices against impunity, demand accountability for those who target journalists, and advocate for stronger protections against all forms of threats, old and new.”
Margaret Nienaber, Chief Operating Officer of Standard Bank, praised the profession, saying: “Even in a sea of noise, it is your voice that brings clarity. Even in an age of speed, it is your integrity that brings trust. Journalism isn’t just about reach, it’s about responsibility — about asking the hard questions, telling the hard truths, and standing firm when it matters most.”
The awards ceremony also received a heartfelt message from Standard Bank’s chief executive officer, Sim Tshabalala, who could not attend, telling journalists that “the work you do is so important, and we recognise and value you for it. The independent, serious press – staffed by brave and critical thinkers like yourselves, is essential to shaping opinion and strengthening democracy in South Africa and beyond.”
The 2025 Sikuvile Awards not only celebrated individual excellence but reaffirmed the profession’s collective responsibility in telling the truth, challenging power, and shaping a better society.
List of categories and winners:
| 1. Hard News | WINNER:
Norman Masungwini City Press “South Africa’s worst City Manager”
RUNNER-UP: Ziyanda Zweni and Sino Majangaza Daily Dispatch “Dying of thirst in democracy”
COMMENDATION: Lisalee Solomons and Nicole McCain News 24 “‘Please help us get out’: Trapped survivor speaks from beneath rubble of collapsed George building”
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| 2. Indigenous Language Reporting | WINNER:
Cleopatra Jones SABC’s Cutting Edge “Human Dumping Site”
RUNNER-UP: Dennis Tshetlhane SABC’s Leihlo la Sechaba “Love Scams”
COMMENDATION: Raymond Mojapelo – SABC’s Leihlo La Sechaba: “Moretshe” Vukosi Mathonsi – SABC’s Ngula ya Vutivi: “Sassa R350”
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| 3. Community Service Reporting | WINNER:
Tammy Jane Fray GO! & Express “Maternity ward mayhem”
RUNNER-UP: Thembi Siaga Limpopo Mirror “Unregistered school in Mpheni may soon be closed”
COMMENDATION: Shanti Jafta – UD Express: “Lapland residents demand liveable homes”
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| 4. Investigative Journalism | WINNER:
Kyle Cowan News24 “Murray Murders”
RUNNERS-UP: 1. Pieter-Louis Myburgh Daily Maverick “Ghost company bags R428-million Oxygen plants tender for state hospitals” 2. Devi Govender eNCA “Boys and Girls Town” (1 and 2)
COMMENDATION: Dewald van Rensburg – AmaBhungane: “The #Laundry: City of Gold” Nicky Troll – Carte Blanche: “Black Gold”
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| 5. Business Journalism | WINNER:
Kabelo Khumalo Business Day “Mystery of former Remgro director’s elusive PhD”
RUNNER-UP: Lyse Comins Mail & Guardian “SABC’s Manas is ‘heartbroken’ over deepfake adverts”
COMMENDATION: Mpho Lakaje – eNCA: “Recycling – From Trash to Treasure”
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| 6. Features (Print) | WINNER:
Sean Christie GroundUp “Follow the Water”
RUNNER-UP: Giulietta Talevi Currency “The great Joburg art grift”
FINALIST: Don Pinnock – Daily Maverick: “Hunting the Joule”
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| Features (Broadcast) | WINNER
Luke Daniel and Marvin Charles News24 “No Place to call Home”
RUNNER-UP: Taryn Crossman Carte Blanche “Kidnapping Crisis”
FINALIST: Cleopatra Jones – SABC: “Victims of Hope”
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| 7. Lifestyle | WINNER:
Charles Leonard Mail & Guardian “The Islamic roots of Afrikaans”
RUNNER UP: Mervyn Naidoo IOL Daily News “Warrior in the Comrades ‘bus driver’ seat”
COMMENDATION: Theunis Strydom – Currency: “Grazing through Uruguay’s beefy heritage”
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| 8. Columns/Editorials | WINNER:
Garth Theunissen News24 “Mr Kganyago, scary inflation isn’t under your bed, it’s in the Union Buildings” RUNNERS-UP: Shirley de Villiers Currency “Lesufi’s R200bn flight of fancy”
Sisonke Mlamla Daily Dispatch “Tragic food poisoning cases demand urgent action”
COMMENDATIONS: Don Pinnock – Daily Maverick: “Trading in wild things: Major rethink required, for biodiversity’s sake” Zongile Nhlapo – EWN: “Black women on SA TV – if they’re not victims of paedophilia, their private parts are on misogyny blast” Willemien Brummer – Netwerk24: “Hoekom vier ons nie ons plooie en warmgloede nie?”
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| 9. Visual journalism (Editorial cartoons & graphic layout) | WINNER:
Jeff Wicks, Alex Patrick and Sharlene Rood News24 “Final Footsteps: the Kirsten Kluyts Murder”
RUNNER-UP: Themba Siwela The Citizen “30 Years of Democracy”
COMMENDATIONS: Jonathan Shapiro – Daily Maverick: “The Gnu Dawn” Brandan Reynolds – Business Day: Body of work
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| 10. News Photographs | WINNER:
Siphiwe Sibeko Reuters “Unrest in Mozambique Following Disputed Elections”
RUNNER-UP: Lulama Zenzile Netwerk24 “Hoe lank nog?”
COMMENDATION: Melinda Stuurman Netwerk24 “Floyd Shivambu quits EFF for MK”
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| 11. Feature Photographs | WINNER:
Lulama Zenzile Netwerk24 “Mens en dier op knieë langs dieselfde damme”
RUNNER-UP: Felix Dlangamandla Daily Maverick “Down in the River to Pray: Good Friday Baptism ceremony at the Klipriver bridge”
SPECIAL COMMENDATION: Luke Daniel News24 “ON THE ROAD: No water, toilets and electricity but Lourierpark occupiers hope they can call it home.”
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| 12. Sports Photographs | WINNER:
Theodore Jeptha Netwerk24 “Handre Pollard Flying”
RUNNER-UP: Lefty Shivambu Gallo Images “Flying high to score a goal”
COMMENDATIONS: 1. Deaan Vivier, Netwerk24 “Leeus-breier skud kop oor besluit om nie in doodsnikke uit te skop” 2. Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblaad “SA se beste landlopers gekroon” |
| 13. Manager/Publisher of the Year | WINNER:
Dunisani Ntsanwisi
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Further information:
Sanef:
- Reggy Moalusi- Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]
- Hopewell Radebe- Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]
- Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]
