Eleven (11) Days to Go: The Clock Is Ticking for the 2026 Sikuvile Journalism Awards Entries
The countdown has officially begun. There are now only 15 days left to submit entries for the prestigious Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.
The final deadline for submissions is 31 March 2026, and journalists across the country are encouraged not to wait until the last week or worse, the final day to submit their work.
With a tight judging schedule and extensive preparations required ahead of the awards ceremony in June, the partners South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and Standard Bank, are calling on journalists to act now and secure their entries well before the closing date.
Avoid the Last-Minute Rush
Previous years have shown that waiting until the final hours can come at a heavy cost. Several entries have unfortunately arrived after the deadline and were disqualified, despite the quality of the work submitted.
In some cases, journalists cited electricity load-shedding, internet disruptions, and email server problems as reasons why their submissions could not be sent in time. While these challenges are understood, late submissions cannot be accommodated once the deadline has passed.
This is why SANEF and Standard Bank are urging journalists to submit early and avoid unnecessary disappointment.
Your Journalism Deserves Recognition
The awards remain South Africa’s most respected platform for recognising impactful, daring, and public-interest journalism.
Whether your work shines in investigative reporting, breaking news, feature writing, business and politics reporting, or photojournalism, this is an opportunity to showcase the stories that have informed the nation and held power to account.
Since the call for entries opened on 2 February 2026, journalists working across print, digital, radio, and television platforms have been invited to submit their best work published or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2025. If you have not yet submitted your work, now is the moment to act.
Virginia Magapatona, Standard Bank Group Head of Communications says: “These awards reflect our belief that excellent journalism deserves to be celebrated and that the people behind it deserve to be recognised. Across the world, the media is navigating seismic shifts in changing news consumption habits and the threat of unverified information. As these pressures intensify, the need for trustworthy and verifiable journalism has never been greater. South Africa’s media fraternity continues to demonstrate courage, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the truth. I encourage all journalists to enter their work for the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards. Your stories have already made an impact on society. Now let’s celebrate them together.”
Makhudu Sefara, SANEF chairperson and editor of the Sunday Times, urged journalists to resist the temptation to delay taking action any further.
“Procrastination is the enemy of opportunity. Submit your entries while there is still time, do not risk missing out due to unforeseen circumstances,” said Sefara, adding that undecided journalists should consulting their news editors and senior colleagues to help them select their best work of 2025.
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards have become South Africa’s yardstick for journalistic excellence, celebrating work that informs the public, inspires society, and strengthens democracy.
As the country’s leading media advocacy organisation, the South African National Editors’ Forum continues to champion ethical, courageous, and high-quality journalism, ensuring that the awards remain a benchmark for integrity, quality, and impact in the media sector.
Do Not Miss Out
At a time when misinformation and disinformation threaten public trust in information, the awards emphasise the importance of accurate, fact-based, fair, and daring reporting.
They stand as a tribute to the enduring role of journalism, the Fourth Estate, in holding power accountable and safeguarding South Africa’s democracy.
Journalists are therefore encouraged to ensure their entries are submitted well before the 31 March deadline to avoid any last-minute technical challenges.
Submissions can be sent to: [[email protected]]
Submission Process
Journalists and media professionals are encouraged to download declaration forms from the website https://sikuvileawards.co.za.
We kindly request that all forms be digitally completed or typed to assist with legibility and accurate record-keeping. Handwritten submissions will not be accepted. Submit the entries via email, together with the forms and samples of the stories, to [email protected].
Detailed submission guidelines and category requirements are available at the official website: https://sikuvileawards.co.za.
About the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards recognise and encourage outstanding journalistic work across South Africa. Over the years, the awards have become a cornerstone of excellence in the profession, highlighting the essential role the media plays in strengthening democracy.
The South African National Editors’ Forum has organised the awards since taking over the responsibility from Publishers’ Support Services (formerly PDMSA). The awards celebrate excellence across all media platforms, including print, digital/online, radio, television, and photojournalism.
Contact Information For further inquiries, please contact the SANEF Secretariat:
- Reggy Moalusi (Executive Director): 071 682 3695 | [email protected]
- Hopewell Radebe (Projects Manager): 083 582 1734 | [email protected]
- Dzudzie Netshisaulu (Coordinator): 079 029 7656 |
