News

This year is 30 years since the United Nations marked World Press Freedom Day, which came as a recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference.

Since then, on 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

“After 30 years, the historic connection made between the freedom to seek, impart and receive information and the public good remains as relevant as it was at the time of its signing,” says the UN.

Here at home, South African journalists continue to face a barrage of intimidation, threats, and cyberbullying, among other violations of media freedom.

Yet, journalists in SA continue to be brave as they continue to work around the clock delivering the best journalism, exposing the rot, and telling untold stories.

It is in this light that the South African National Editors’ Forum’s (SANEF) Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards (Sikuvile Awards) once again delivers this year’s edition of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.

The Awards, which opened last week are a highlight of the important work that journalists do in this country in guarding its democracy and is testimony to the importance of press freedom.

The Awards close on 25 May. There is no deadline extension this year. The Awards’ winners will be announced at a live event at The Venue, Melrose Arch, on 24 June 2023.

Winners are rewarded with the coveted Sikuvile Journalism Award Trophy as well as R15,000 prize money (to be shared if there is more than one winner in a category).

There are 14 categories to choose from this year, including the new category for the Manager/Publisher of the Year Award that rewards managers/publishers for their work. The entry for this is a motivation letter or proof of activities by peers in the industry.

Journalist of the Year and Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year are selected from the entries in the categories by the jury, while the jury nominates The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award (previously the Allan Kirkland Soga: Achievement Award).

This Award recognises a sustained and extraordinary contribution to newspaper journalism on the part of an individual and the winner will have demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

To enter the awards: https://sikuvileawards.co.za.

Further information:

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]

Entries for this year’s edition of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, brought to you by South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), are now open.

The Awards will close for entries on 25 May, with no extension and winners will be announced at an event on Saturday, 24 June at The Venue, Melrose Arch, Gauteng.

This is the second year SANEF is organising the awards. They were previously organised by PDMSA, now the Publishers’ Support Services.

The theme of the Awards this year is “Journalism: In the Face of Public LIE ability. When seeing is believing, when does the ability to lie end, and the liability begin?”

Open to all print, online/digital, broadcast (radio and TV) journalists, the Awards are a highlight on the journalistic calendar rewarding the exceptional work done by the country’s journalists in categories from investigative journalism to feature writing and lifestyle as well as a digital category that continues to grow.

The Awards reflect the importance of accurate and reliable as well as verified reporting in a world where fake news is a massive issue. They are also proof of the important role that the Fourth Estate plays in the country’s democracy.

Award Categories

The awards are open to all print, online/digital, and broadcast (radio and TV) journalists.
The categories are:

1. Hard News
2. Indigenous language reporting in community media
3. Community Service Reporting
4. Popular Journalism
5. Investigative Journalism
6. Business Journalism
7. Features
8. Lifestyle
9. Columns/Editorial
10. Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
11. News Photographs
12. Features Photographs
13. Sports Photographs
14. Manager/Publisher of the Year Award: Last year the Awards found a new home with SANEF which saw the launch of some new and exciting categories. This year a new and exciting category, The Manager/Publisher of the Year Award, rewards managers/publishers for their work. The entry for this is a motivation letter or proof of activities by peers in the industry.
15. Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year (Selected from the entries in the categories by the jury.)
16. Journalist of the Year (Selected from the entries in the categories by the jury.)
17. The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award (previously the Allan Kirkland Soga: Achievement Award): Recognises a sustained and extraordinary contribution to newspaper journalism on the part of an individual and the winner will have demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

To enter the awards, go to https://sikuvileawards.co.za. The entry kit is attached.

Further information:

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]

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards 2022 are a reminder of the important role that journalism plays in South Africa’s democracy.

Hosted by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) for the first time, the Awards honoured the best journalists and their stories at a live event at The Venue, Melrose Arch last Saturday.

While newspapers might be under pressure, the standard of local journalism is still high, as the winners of the Awards prove.

All the winning articles raised important issues in South Africa showing just why journalism is critically important to the country. The Awards themselves are significant as they set a benchmark for excellence in journalism, a profession that has been under attack and undermined worldwide.

SANEF office bearers, including Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF Chairperson, and sponsors Standard Bank’s representatives and Standard Bank CEO, Lungisa Fuzile, and various media stakeholders and journalists were all in attendance.

Heroes and Heroines

Ngalwa says that while the industry has been through a tough time over the past two years, with the industry affected by journalists losing their lives due to COVID-19 and a jobs bloodbath, exacerbated by various media titles closing, , the Awards show that South African journalism is thriving. “We are now seeing green shoots and can build.”

Fuzile says that the pandemic robbed the country of some of the best journalists in this country.

He paid tribute to the industry. “You are a great service to our relatively young democracy. I will make a bold statement and say that without you our democracy would fail. Every one of you here in this room and watching online is a hero and heroine.  We are eternally grateful to you and proud of what you have achieved over the past two years.”

Never give up!

At the Awards, veteran editor Anthony Heard was honoured with the Allan Kirkland Soga: Lifetime Achiever Award. Heard, who was a shining light in the dark days of Apartheid, gave the audience the thumbs up and shouted, “Never give up!” after receiving his award.

Heard says that now, more than ever the media is vulnerable and in need of patrons. “The media, and journalists, must be supported. The enlightened corporations and institutions know that. They need to invest in the media as it is an investment in their future.”

He says that journalists are not invincible but some of their actions can lead to major change. “Very few other institutions in society have that capacity.”

The value of the industry

Daily Maverick’s Pieter-Louis Myburgh expressed surprise at winning Story of the Year for Digital Vibes. But says he is thrilled.

Myburgh also won the Investigative Journalism category for ‘’Digital Vibes’’, published by Daily Maverick, and is one of several journalists who won the Investigative Journalism category in 2018 for the collaborative body of work “Gupta Leaks”. He is also the author of the book: Gangster State (Penguin Random House).

He says the Sikuvile Awards give journalists a moment to bask a bit in the recognition of their work. “Because in between there are many challenging and difficult moments.”

Lifestyle category winner, Graham Wood, from Financial Mail says the Awards are important because journalism is under fire. “It is good for the industry to remind itself of its value from time to time.”

More young people into the industry

The Upcoming/ Rising Star of the Year was shared by Shonisani Tshikalange of the Sunday Times and TimesLIVE and Onke Ngcuka, Daily Maverick. Ngcuka, who was also a finalist in the Lifestyle category, says it is important for young people to enter the profession. “We need as many people as we can to hold our leaders accountable to the work they are supposed to be doing.”

The Awards also acknowledged the role of jury member Phindile Mary Xaba, who passed away shortly after the jury session.

This was the first live awards event in two years and the first awards since 2020.

SANEF Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa and Standard Bank SA CEO, Lungisa Fuzile (right) hand over the Story of the Year award for Digital Vibes, to Daily Maverick’s Pieter-Louis Myburgh

Hosted by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and sponsored by Standard Bank, the first live Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards since 2019, saw the Daily Maverick’s Pieter-Louis Myburgh winning Story of the Year for Digital Vibes.

Myburgh also won the Investigative Journalism category for ‘’Digital Vibes’’ in Daily Maverick. He was one of several journalists who won the Investigative Journalism category in 2018 for the collaborative body of work “Gupta Leaks”. He is also the author of the book: Gangster State (Penguin Random House).

SANEF Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa hands the Upcoming/ Rising Star of the Year award to Shonisani Tshikalange of the Sunday Times

The Upcoming/ Rising Star of the Year was shared by Shonisani Tshikalange of the Sunday Times and TimesLIVE and Onke Ngcuka, Daily Maverick. Ngcuka was a finalist in the Lifestyle category.

The Allan Kirkland Soga: Lifetime Achiever Award honoured Anthony Heard.

SANEF Chairperson Sbu Ngalwa and Standard Bank SA CEO, Lungisa Fuzile (right), hand over the Lifetime Achiever Award to Anthony Heard

All category winners received the coveted Sikuvile Journalism Award Trophy, certificate and R15,000 prize money. All finalists also receive certificates.

The 2022 Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards winners:

Category 1:   Hard News

NAME                                      TITLE                                                    COMPANY

Category 3:   Community Service Reporting

Category 4:   Investigative Journalism

Category 5:   Columns /Editorial

Category 6:  Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons & Graphic Layout)

Category 7:   Features

Category 9:   News Photographs

Category 10:   Feature Photographs

Category 11:  Sports Photographs

Category 12:   Lifestyle

There were no nominations for Category 2:  Indigenous Language Reporting In Community Media and

Category 8:   Popular Journalism.

Category 13:   Upcoming/ Rising Star of the Year:

Shonisani Tshikalange and Onke Ngcuka

Category 14:   Story of the Year:

Pieter-Louis Myburgh, Digital Vibes, Daily Maverick

Category 15:   Allan Kirkland Soga: Lifetime Achiever Award

Anthony Heard

The 2022 shortlist in the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards has been announced.

Selected from the 360 entries received this year, the ever-popular Features category boasted the most entries, followed by the Community Service Reporting, Columns/Editorial, Hard News, and Investigative Journalism categories.

Unfortunately, there are no shortlisted entries in the new category, Indigenous language reporting in community media (Category 2).

There were no shortlisted entries in Category 8: Popular Journalism, as none of the entries met the category criteria.

SIKUVILE JURY

The shortlist was determined by this year’s jury: Tyrone August, Melanie-Ann Feris, Ryland Fisher, Helen Grange, Pippa Green, Thabo Leshilo, Mapi Mhlangu, Lesley Mofokeng, Ruth Motau, Neo Ntsoma, Sue Olswang, Mary Papayya, Gus Silber, and Beauregard Tromp.

It is noted with much sadness that jury member Phindile Mary Xaba, passed away this Saturday (7 May) following a battle with cancer. SANEF, the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards team and the jury members send their condolences to the family.

LIVE EVENT

All category winners receive the coveted Sikuvile Journalism Award Trophy, certificate and R15,000 prize money (to be shared if there is more than one winner in a category). Finalists also receive certificates.

Hosted by the South African National Editors’ Forum, SANEF and sponsored by Standard Bank, the Awards will announce all the winners at a live event at The Venue, Melrose Arch, on 25 June 2022.

STANDARD BANK SIKUVILE JOURNALISM AWARDS 2022 SHORTLIST

Category 1:   Hard News

NAME                                 TITLE                              COMPANY

Category 3:   Community Service Reporting

Category 4:   Investigative Journalism

Category 5:   Columns / Editorial

Category 6:  Visual Journalism (editorial cartoons & graphic layout)

Category 7:   Features

Category 9:   News Photographs

Category 10:   Feature Photographs

Category 11:  Sports Photographs

Category 12:   Lifestyle

The Following Awards will be announced at the Awards event:  

Category 13:   Upcoming/ Rising Star of the Year

Category 14:   Journalist of the Year

Category 15:   Allan Kirkland Soga:  Lifetime Achiever Award

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]

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards have found a new home at the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and will take place this year on 25 June 2022 at a live event at Melrose Arch. Entries open today, Tuesday, 15 March.

“SANEF is excited to host the awards in June and we are confident more journalists will enter their excellent work as they have done in previous years,” says SANEF chairman, Sbu Ngalwa.

Ngalwa says the Awards are a natural fit for SANEF. “The Awards are a key highlight when it comes to awarding excellent journalistic work, which is something wholly supported by SANEF.”

Long-time sponsor of the Awards, Standard Bank, will be taking up the sponsorship again this year.

Celebrate and nurture free speech

Regarding its sponsorship of the Award, Standard Bank CEO, Lungisa Fuzile, says: “In a world that is more connected than ever before, access to reliable, sourced, accurate and verified information has become even more important today.

“We have seen the destructive impact of fake news locally and globally and the division and confusion that it sows.”

Free speech and access to information is the cornerstone of any democracy, a precious and vulnerable gift borne from struggle and conflict for a just society he adds.

“The role of our media professionals is now more important than ever. But they too are facing their own challenges as the global nature of information and the Internet upends their traditional business models,” says Fuzile.

“Its support of our diligent and professional media through initiatives like the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards, where we celebrate and nurture those who guard free speech, share and interpret conflicting ideas and provide us with the clearest picture of where it is we want to be as a society,” he continues.

“We are thankful to Standard Bank for entrusting us with this huge task,” says Ngalwa.

A theme of innovation

Relaunching the awards this year, with the theme “Innovation”. The last two years have seen necessity give rise to countless innovations including ones within the media. The Awards and theme this year will celebrate these as well as highlight the significant role that media has played during this time.

Ngalwa says there will be some exciting changes, including some new categories. “This includes a category that recognises journalists for excellence in reporting in Indigenous languages and a category for community service reporting.”

Award Categories

The awards are open to all print, online/digital, broadcast (radio and TV) journalists.

The categories are:

1 Hard News

2. NEW: Indigenous language reporting in community media
3. NEW: Community Service Reporting
4. Investigative Journalism
5. Columns/Editorial
6. Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
7. Features
8. Popular Journalism
9. News Photographs
10. Feature Photographs
11. Sports Photographs
12. Lifestyle

The Awards for Rising Star of the Year and Journalist of the Year are selected from the entries in the categories by the jury.

Also awarded by the jury is the Allan Kirkland Soga: Achievement Award which recognises a sustained and extraordinary contribution to newspaper journalism on the part of an individual and the winner will have demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

To enter the awards: www.sikuvile.org. Please find the entry kit on this link Entry Information Pack 2022 – Final

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]