The overall award for the Mondi Shanduka Journalist of the Year went to cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro – or Zapiro. This should spark some debate in the media industry about whether or not the definition of a journalist is broad enough to include a cartoonist; and whether cartoonists and journalists fulfil the same role.
Shapiro received the accolade for his consistent high quality commentary on South African public life in a bold and uncompromising but entertaining way.
The winners were announced on Wednesday night at a function in Sandton, Johannesburg, hosted by Mondi Shanduka Newsprint and the Newspaper Association of South Africa. The awards honour the newsmen and women who brought us the stories of 2005 through breaking news and in-depth features, provocative commentary, captivating photographs, and innovative layouts and spreads.
Winners were chosen from 603 entries from 186 individuals, representing 35 newspapers around the country.
The 2006 Lifetime Achiever Award went to David Hazelhurst for lifelong service to better journalism. He is now the creative director at The Star. Jeremy Gordin says Hazelhurst is ‘renowned for being one of the most – perhaps THE most – creative and design journalists who has ever worked in South African journalism.”
South African Story of the Year was awarded to Susan Winters of The Witness for ‘A positive journey” – documenting the Aids journey of Nozuko.
The other winners, according to category, were:
Breaking news:
Winner: Jonathan Ancer – The Star – ‘1 man vs the mob’
Finalists: Dumisane Lubisi, Dominic Mahlangu, and Wisani wa ka Ngobeni – Sunday Times – ‘Zuma rape claim’ and Jonathan Ancer – The Star – ‘Have a good one, Dave’
Commended: Gill Gifford – The Star – ‘Eyes of a killer’ and Rowan Philp – Sunday Times – ‘Autopsy: Kebble assaulted, Kebble’s desperate sell-off’
Analysis, follow-ups & commentary
Winner: Sithembiso Msomi – City Press – ‘OR invoked in battle for ANC’
Finalist: Jeremy Gordin – The Sunday Independent – ‘Shaik Saga’
Commended: Lindsay Barnes – Weekend Witness – ‘Home Affairs shambles’
Feature Writing
Winner: Elsabé Brits – Die Burger – Whole series, including ‘Laat daar lig wees in die Karoo’ and Beauregard Tromp – The Star – ‘A Rwandan love story’ and LRA in Uganda stories
Commended: Shadi Rapitso – City Press – Series including ‘Illegals on a long, smelly train ride home’
Investigative journalism
Winner: Stefaans Br?mmer, Sam Sole and Wisani wa ka Ngobeni – Mail & Guardian – ‘Oilgate’
Commended: Eddie Botha – Daily Dispatch – Series on SA Rugby, including Brian van Rooyen’s leadership
Creative Journalism
Winner: Fred Khumalo – Sunday Times – ‘Christmas with the Khumalos’
Joint finalists: Maureen Isaacson – The Sunday Independent – ‘Love song to a whale and other inspirations’ and ‘From Gulag survivor to Bush favourite’ and Tanya Farber – The Sunday Independent – ‘Life of a closet Goth’
Commended: Neels Blom – Business Day – ‘Fly-fishing on Wednesday’
Graphical Journalism
Winner: Anton Vermeulen – Beeld – ‘Wonde wat nie weggaan’ and ‘Koopbeginsel gaan te gronde’
Finalist: A Stidolph – The Witness – ‘Department of Home Affairs’, ‘They must be members of the SA observer mission’ and ‘Trade barrier and new Iraq’
Commended: Wilson Mgobhozi – The Star – ‘Who Zuma might be up against’
News photographers
Winner: Anton Hammerl – Saturday Star – ‘Mugger meets his match as woman fights back’
Finalist: Antoine de Ras – City Press/Rapport – Khutsong series, and especially ‘No Khutsong amid so much fiery anger’
Commended: Esa Alexander – Die Burger – ‘Wie nou, Mbeki’
Feature photographs
Winner: Alet Pretorius – Beeld – ‘Shaik court saga’
Finalists: James Oatway – City Press – ‘Train ride on the wild side’ and Simphiwe Nkwali – Beeld – ‘Thandi and Thabo’
Commended: Anton Hammerl – Saturday Star – Series of ‘Lords Resistance Army’
Presentation
Winner: Arlene Prinsloo – Die Burger – ‘Hamba, Zuma’
Finalist: Andries Gouws – Beeld – ‘Só het Zuma my verkrag?’
Commended: Natasha Pamplin – Die Burger – ‘Wie nou, Mbeki?’
The awards were judged by Professor Guy Berger, head of media studies and journalism at Rhodes University as the convener, Sarah Crowe, Johan De Wet, John Dludlu, Ethel Hazelhurst, Portia Kobue, Joe Thloloe and Siphiwe Nyanda.
Frewin, Joel Mervis and McCall newspaper awards
Three awards recognising excellence in newspapers were also handed out at the ceremony. They were judged by Govin Reddy, Clive Loxton, Logan Naidu and Kerry Swift.
Frewin Award winner: Die Burger
The award recognises urban daily newspapers with a circulation above 50,000 that excel in the criteria laid down by the industry.
Joel Mervis Award: Mail & Guardian
This recognises urban weekly newspapers irrespective of their circulation.
McCall Award: The Witness
The award recognises urban daily newspapers with a circulation of 50,000 or less that excel in the criteria laid down by the industry.