AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards winners announced
The journalists from local independent newspapers showcased their skills and determination during the annual award ceremony organized by the Forum of Community Journalists. For the second year, the event was sponsored by Avbob, and this year it took place at the Cape Sun Hotel.
The first major surprise of the evening was when Victor Mukwevho from Limpopo Mirror secured the trophy in the Column Writing category. In the writing categories, journalists from across the country competed on equal footing. This year’s competition attracted a record number of entries, and the quality of submissions was exceptionally high. Victor was also a top ten finalist in the Human Interest category.
Continuing their streak, Andries van Zyl from Zoutpansberger won the trophy in the Hard News category for the second consecutive year. Maanda Bele, from Limpopo Mirror, secured the third position in this highly competitive category. Elmon Tshikhudo, another journalist from Limpopo Mirror, was recognized as a top ten finalist.
In the Investigative News category, Anton van Zyl (Limpopo Mirror) earned the second position, and Andries van Zyl (Zoutpansberger) secured the third position. Andries was also a finalist in the Journalist of the Year category.
Taylum Meyer from Village News, also an independent newspaper, clinched the second prize in the General Photography section for her remarkable pictures.
In the section for newspapers not affiliated with any major media groups, the Limpopo Mirror was honoured with the Newspaper of the Year award, with Zoutpansberger securing the second position.
Zoutpansberger also received the Best Frontpage award for independent newspapers, with Limpopo Mirror coming in second. The other three finalists in this category were Witzenberg Herald, Pondoland Times, and Mangaung Issue.