[SPONSORED]
The AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards, hosted by the Forum of Community Journalists NPC (FCJ) and sponsored by AVBOB, is a well-known event in the media industry.
The competition received just over 600 entries this year, with participants showcasing exemplary work across 17 categories. Front pages (76 entries), back pages (49), free newspaper of the year (45), hard news/investigative reporting (79) and compelling human-interest reportage (64) dominated the field.
Local government reporting/municipal news was reintroduced after an absence of many years, with Yaseen Gaffar of DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette taking the honours. A completely new category — story of the year — was also introduced, awarded to Yaseen Bardien and Mahmood Sanglay of Muslim Views.
The dedication and talent displayed by community journalists in various writing and photography categories underscore the vibrancy and diversity of community journalism in South Africa.
The adjudication process was overseen by Dr André Gouws from Akademia. “This year's competition reflects a healthy and evolving community newspaper sector. The judging panel congratulates all entrants and hopes that the feedback they will receive will encourage even greater excellence in the years ahead,” Gouws said.
Through AVBOB's financial investment in the FCJ and the community media industry, along with ongoing support from Caxton, Novus Community Media and the competition's new partner, Stellenbosch University, the FCJ was able to further enrich its offering and support to community journalists.
“Strong communities are built on accountability, trust and access to reliable information. They depend on you to remain informed about issues that affect their daily lives and on having their voices represented in public conversations,” said Eugene Strauss, AVBOB CEO.
“At AVBOB, our covenant with society is rooted in a simple belief: institutions should not only serve society, but they should also help strengthen it. The same principle guides our support for community journalism,” Strauss added.
Winners were announced at a gala prize-giving dinner at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on 21 August. Top honours for Journalist of the Year went to Michelle Pienaar of George Herald. Highvelder's Wayne van der Walt took the Photographer of the Year title for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, and this year's recipient of the Alet Roux Trophy for Most Promising Journalist was Dillon Pillay of Southlands SUN.
The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner. The seminar focused on the community journalist's role in the upcoming municipal elections, with industry leaders and experts sharing their knowledge with attendees.
The panel of judges, led by Gouws, comprised seasoned industry professionals and academics. They are Alé Steyn, Chantel Erfort Manuel, Elaine Krige, Elsabé Retief, Fanie Heyns, Heindrich Wyngaard, Jóhann Thormählen, Kyle Cowan, Marenet Jordaan,
Marietjie Gericke, Marlene Malan, Mercy Kannemeyer, Mlungisi Louw, Owen Kock, Pieter Delport, Sibongile Maputi, Simonéh de Bruin, Virginia Keppler-Young, Willem Kempen, Yolanda van der Stoep and Zenande Maqubela.
AVBOB CEO Eugene Strauss and Photographer of the Year winner Wayne van der Walt.
AVBOB CEO Eugene Strauss and Best New Journalist of the Year Dillon Pillay.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GENERAL TOP 10
10. Gypseenia Lion - Bloemfontein Courant
9. Jamey Gordon - DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
8. Linzetta Calitz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
7. Sifiso Jimta - Ster South
6. Elsje Vermeulen - Vaalweekblad
5. Christiaan Cloete - Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
4. Nikhil Gopichand - South Coast SUN
Third place - Carina Roux, TygerBurger
Second place - Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
Winner – Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
PHOTOGRAPHY: MOBILE TOP 10
10. Marsha Bothma - Plainsman/AthloneNews/Vukani
9. Paula Ansley - The Greyton Post
8. Nkosephayo Sphesonke Vilakazi - Roodepoort Record
7. Carina Roux - TygerBurger
6. Peter Luhanga - The Iliso Labantu News
5. Cecilia Hume - TygerBurger
4. Dillon Pillay - Southlands SUN
Third place - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
Second place - Lientjie Mentz, BloemNews
Winner – Kristy Kolberg, George Herald
PHOTOGRAPHY: NEWS TOP 10
10. Gypseenia Lion - Bloemfontein Courant
9. Gabriélla Siebritz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
8. Justin Thomas - The Village News
7. Dillon Pillay - Southlands SUN
6. Christiaan Cloete - Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
5. Alida Buckle - Weslander
4. Barend Williams - DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
Third place - Zita Goldswain, Witbank News
Second place - Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
Winner - Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
PHOTOGRAPHY: SPORT TOP 10
10. Heinrich Greyling - Krugersdorp News
9. Dillon Pillay - Southlands SUN
8. Rashied Isaacs - People’s Post 7.
Erwin Kruger - Zululand Observer
6. Nikhil Gopichand - South Coast SUN
5. Christiaan Cloete - Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
4. Elsje Vermeulen - Vaalweekblad
Third place - Carina Roux, TygerBurger
Second place - Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
Winner - Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
WRITING: DIGITAL TOP 10
10. Lizette da Silva - George Herald
9. Zita Goldswain - Witbank News
8. Anton Van Zyl - Zoutpansberger
7. Itumeleng Maloka - Alex News
6. Linzetta Calitz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
5. Marsha Bothma - Plainsman and Athlone News
4. Lauren O'Connor-May - TygerBurger Mitchells Plain
Third place - Fanie Mthupha, Boksburg Advertiser
Second place - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
Winner - Christiaan Cloete Vaalweekblad
WRITING: HEADLINES TOP 10
10. Shirwan Newton - BloemNews, Vista, NoordkaapBulletin
9. Ronelle Ramsamy - Zululand Observer
8. Liezl Scheepers - Parys Gazette
7. Linzetta Calitz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
6. Elsje Vermeulen - Vaalweekblad
5. Carina Roux - TygerBurger
4. Madré Marais - Bloemnuus/NoordkaapBulletin/Vista
Third place - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
Second place - Wyndham Ewerts, Knysna-Plett Herald
Winner - Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
WRITING: HARD NEWS & INVESTIGATIVE TOP 10
10. Alida de Beer - George Herald
9. Liezl Scheepers - Parys Gazette
8. Andries Van Zyl - Zoutpansberger
7. Chelsea Pieterse - Mossel Bay Advertiser
6. Gabriélla Siebritz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
5. Maanda Bele - Limpopo Mirror
4. Alida Buckle - Weslander
Third place - Tumelo Brain Dibakwane, Lowvelder
Second place - Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
Winner – Piliso Mfundo, Go! & Express
WRITING: EDITORIAL COMMENT TOP 10
10. Helena Barnard - NoordkaapBulletin
9. Wayne van der Walt - Highvelder
8. Ronelle Ramsamy - Zululand Observer
7. Zita Goldswain - Witbank News
6. Michelle Pienaar - George Herald
5. Carl de Villiers - The Village News
4. Wyndham Ewerts - Knysna-Plett Herald T
Third place - Alida Buckle, Weslander
Second place - Louise Karsten, Mossel Bay Advertiser
Winner - Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
WRITING VERNACULAR
Fourth place - Ntsikelelo Jonga, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
Third place - Unathi Obose, City Vision
Second place - Monwabisi Khininda, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
Winner – Anele Raziya, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
WRITING: HUMAN INTEREST TOP 10
10. Linzetta Calitz - Mossel Bay Advertiser
9. Nkosephayo Sphesonke Vilakazi - Roodepoort Record
8. Lizette Da Silva - George Herald
7. Sibulele Kasa - Northern News (Digital news website)
6. Lauren O'Connor-May - TygerBurger Mitchells Plain
5. Desirée Rorke - TygerBurger
4. Ditiro Masuku - Fourways Review
Third place - Shirley Nirmala Govender, Globe Post, Walkerville & Savanna City Times, Orange Farm News
Second place - Siyavuya Khaya, Vukani/Southern Suburbs Tatler
Winner - Tobie van den Bergh, Middelburg Observer
WRITING: SPORT TOP 10
10. Fuad Esack - Cape Community Newspapers
9. Gerhard Rheeder - Middelburg Observer
8. Lebohang Pita - Benoni City Times
7. Jamey Gordon - DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
6. Yaseen Gaffa r- DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
5. Wyndham Ewerts - Knysna-Plett Herald
4. Ettienne van Rensburg - Vaalweekblad
Third place - Kailin Daniels, TygerBurger
Second place - Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad/Ster North
Winner – Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
WRITING: MUNICIPAL & LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOP 10
10. Lientjie Mentz - BloemNews
9. Tumelo Brain Dibakwane - Lowvelder
8. Andile Sithole - Southlands SUN
7. Adele Louw - Carletonville and Fochville Herald
6. Andries van Zyl- Zoutpansberger
5. Anton van Zyl - Limpopo Mirror
4. Vusi Mthalane - South Coast SUN
Third place - Thembi Siaga, Limpopo Mirror
• Second place - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
Winner – Yaseen Gaffar, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
BEST BACK PAGE TOP 10
10. Highvelder
9. Vaalweekblad
8. Oudtshoorn Courant
7. Zululand Observer
6. Knysna-Plett Herald
5. George Herald
4. Suid-Kaap Forum
Third place - Bedfordview Edenvale News
Second place - Mossel Bay Advertiser
Winner - Lowvelder
NEWSPAPERS: BEST FRONT PAGE TOP 10
10. Mossel Bay Advertiser
9. Eikestadnuus
8. Roodepoort Northsider
7. Lowvelder
6. Zululand Observer
5. Knysna-Plett Herald
4. Krugersdorp News
Third place - Highvelder
Second place - Newcastle Advertiser
Winner - North Coast Courier
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR (SOLD) TOP 10
10. Zoutpansberger
9. Oudtshoorn Courant
8. African Reporter
7. Knysna-Plett Herald
6. South Coast Herald
5. Zululand Observer
4. Mossel Bay Advertiser
Third place - Vaalweekblad
Second place - George Herald
Winner - Lowvelder
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEARd(FREE) TOP 10
10. Rosebank Killarney Gazette
9. Randburg Sun
8. The Village News
7. Polokwane Review
6. Highway Mail
5. Northcliff Melville Times
4. Eyethu Bay Watch T
Third place - Midrand Reporter
Second place - Suid-Kaap Forum
Winner - Queensburgh News
STORY OF THE YEAR TOP 10
10. Michelle Pienaar- George Herald
9. Gerhard Rheeder - Middelburg Observer
8. Heinrich Greyling - Krugersdorp News
7. Alida Buckle - Weslander
6. Noluvu Ludidi - Weslander
5. Dave Savides - Zululand Observer
4. Kristy Kolberg - George Herald
Third place - Sibulele Kasa, Northern News (Digital news website)
Second place - Tumelo Brain Dibakwane, Lowvelder
Winner - Yaseen Bardien & Mahmood Sanglay, Muslim Views with GroundUp inputs
ALET ROUX TROPHY FOR BEST NEW JOURNALIST - Dillon Pillay, Southlands SUN
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald