AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards winners for 2023 announced

View of an irrigation system on a farm. AFP/Nelson Almeida
SPONSORED – The AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards, hosted by the Forum of Community Journalists NPC (FCJ), is a well-known event in the media industry. This year saw the introduction of exciting new categories and more than 500 entries. Winners were announced at a prize-giving dinner at Sandton Hotel on 2 August 2024.

Participants showcased their exemplary work in various categories, with front pages, the newly introduced back pages category, free newspaper of the year, and compelling human-interest reportage dominating the entries.

The dedication and talent displayed by community journalists in the writing and photography categories underscore the vibrancy and diversity of community journalism in South Africa.

The top honour for Journalist of the Year went to Daleen Naudé from Middelburg Observer. Highvelder’s Wayne van der Walt took the Photographer of the Year title (for the second year in a row), while the Alet Roux Trophy for Most Promising Journalist went to Matthew Handley, also from Middelburg Observer.

AVBOB, through its financial investment in the FCJ and community journalism, and the ongoing support from Caxton and Media24 allowed the FCJ to enrich its offering and support to community journalists.

The FCJ introduced a new competition category this year: Best Vernacular Writing, for which Bulelani Matshoba from Pondoland Times and Unathi Obose from City Vision each received a Certificate of Merit.

In his address, AVBOB CEO Carl van der Riet said, “Our support for the AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards stems from a shared purpose: we both believe in the power of community. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, and we see community journalism as a vital source of information and empowerment.”

“As a business, we stand ready to continue our support to community media – as one of the platforms to reach communities – in order to preserve a vibrant, diverse and independent press. Tonight, we are celebrating brave and exceptional journalism! To all the nominees and winners, a heartfelt congratulations. The stories you tell matter, your voices matter, and your impact is undeniable.”

The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner with guest speakers Mondli Makhanya, editor-in-chief of City Press and political commentator, and Willem Kempen and Cornia Pretorius spoke about Artificial Intelligence and Community Journalism.
 
The panel of judges, led by André Gouws, comprised seasoned industry professionals, including Bruce Stephenson, Jacolette Kloppers, Alé Steyn, Tobie van den Bergh, Elsabe Retief, Kyle Cowan, Buks Viljoen, Jana Smit, Dewet Potgieter, Willem Kempen, Johann Maarman, Mercy Kannemeyer, Marlene Malan, Pieter Delport, Virginia Keppler-Young, Colin Hoffman, Johann Gresse, Cornia Pretorius, Yolanda van der Stoep, Mlungizi Louw, and Roger Sedres.

Winners

Journalist of the Year
WINNER: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Second: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)
Third: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)

Photographer of the Year
WINNER: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Third: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)

Alet Roux Award for Upcoming Journalist of the Year 
WINNER: Matthew Handley (Middelburg Observer)

Photography
GeneralWINNER: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
Second place: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)
Third place: Carina Roux (TygerBurger)

News
WINNER: Jamey Gordon (DistrictMail/Helderberg Gazette)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Third: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)

Sport
WINNER: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
Second: Rashied Isaacs (People’s Post)
Third: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)

Writing categories 
Editorial Comment and Columns
WINNER: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)
Second: Lise Beyers (Paarl Post)
Third: Nielen de Klerk (TygerBurger)

Digital Reporting
WINNER: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)
Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)
Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad/Ster North)

Headlines
WINNER: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)
Third: Liezl Scheepers (Parys Gazette)

Human Interest
WINNER: Esmé Erasmus (TygerBurger)
Second: Wouter Pienaar (Potchefstroom Herald)
Third: Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times)

Hard News
WINNER: Dave Savides
Second: Gerhard Rheeder
Third: Michelle Pienaar

Investigative Reporting 
WINNER: Anton Van Zyl (Limpopo Mirror/Zoutpansberger)
Second: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad/Ster North)

Sport
WINNER: Hugo Redelinghuys (Suid-Kaap Forum)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Third: Mark Kinnear (Lowvelder)

Best Front Page
WINNER: City Vision
Second: TygerBurger Table View
Third: Bedfordview and Edenvale News

Best Back Page
WINNER: George Herald
Second: Lowvelder
Third: Zululand Observer

Free Newspaper of the Year
WINNER: NoordkaapBulletin
Second: Roodepoort Northsider
Third: TygerBurger Milnerton

Paid Newspaper of the Year
WINNER: Zululand Observer
Second: Lowvelder
Third: Suid-Kaap Forum