Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards 2019 took place Thursday 12 September and recognised journalistic and newspaper excellence in South Africa.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Journalist of the Year and the South African Story of the Year, both awards going to formidable team, Dewald van Rensburg and Sipho Masondo from the City Press.
A number of other prestigious awards were given to a variety of journalists including Robin Cromley for Lifetime Achievement and Rosetta Msimango for Rising Star of the Year. The category winners took home R15 000, a trophy and a certificate.
This year saw an increase in the quality and quantity of the awards. “This shows the credibility of the awards, despite the disruption in the media landscape,” says Convening Judge, Mathatha Tsedu.
The continuing support of Standard Bank as sponsor is key to the success of the awards, adds Tsedu.
Xolisa Vapi, Standard Bank Group Head of Communication says the bank is proud to sponsor the awards, which recognise excellence in the field of journalism in South Africa. “We must support and honour journalistic efforts that serve the public interest, especially when forces have been at play to undermine our young democracy.”
There are journalists in this country whose work has contributed to upholding a free and democratic South Africa and this must be acknowledged and celebrated.”
Mr Vapi says these awards are a reminder of the need for ethical journalists to carry the national discourse of the country forward.