Nigerian journalist Ibiba DonPedro of The Guardian clinched the CNN Africa Journalist of the Year award on Wednesday night.
DonPedro, who also received the environmental award, walked away with the main trophy, a ”substantial” cash prize and a trip to CNN in Atlanta in the United States.
South African Gill Gifford of The Star won the MKO Abiola print journalism award and her colleague Siphiwe Sibeko, won the Mohamed Amin photographic award.
Mpho Moagi won the arts and culture award, and Anna-Maria Lombard and Alpheus Siebane won the general news award. All three work at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Maggi Barnard of The Namibian was given the tourism award, Eric Kakore of Radio Simba in Uganda the radio general news award, and Patrick Maigua of the Kenyan Television Network the business award.
The Free Press Africa award went to Walter Marwizi of The Standard in Zimbabwe, the health and medical award to Betty Mkwasa of ITV-Independent Television Ltd in Tanzania, and Ambrose Namoyo of Climax Magazine in Malawi received the sport award.
Claudine Atohoun of ORTB in Benin won the Francophone general news award.
The finalists were presented with statuettes and a range of prizes such as laptops and other electronic equipment at the ceremony in Johannesburg.
Former president Nelson Mandela, who was guest of honour at a breakfast for the finalists, said journalists had an extremely important role to play, particularly on the African continent.
”You are the ones at the forefront of the effort to bring information to the masses of the people about development on the continent.
”In many respects judgements about our continent and its people, and crucial decisions about their future, are heavily influenced by you and your judgements.”
Mandela impressed on the reporters the responsibility inherent in the work they did.
”You are the mirror in which the governments of our continent must see themselves; report fearlessly and honestly,” he said.
Judging was done by an international panel of media people including Dr Doyinsola Abiola, John Battersby, Jerri Eddings, Joel Kibazo, Jeff Koinange, Maimouna Mills and Jimi Matthews.
The competition is open to all professional journalists based in Africa who report on African issues. ‒ Sapa