Record number of entries for Vodacom Journalist of the year 2009

Johannesburg – Following close of entries in May to the Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2009, the organisers of the competition are delighted to report that a record number of entries have been received.

All the entries have now been catalogued and the total number stands well over 1300, far exceeding the number of entries received per year since the inception of the competition.

Whilst the increase is reflected across the broad range of categories, a significant number of entries were received in the Community, Online and Photography categories.

“Vodacom is honoured to once again be the sponsor of this competition and we pay great compliments to the increased number of journalists who entered this year. As a company, we have always ascribed to the power of communication and the critical role that the media plays in our society. It is an honour always to help recognise the achievements of those who have excelled in bringing great stories to life for the South African public”, said Romeo Kumalo, Executive Director: Commercial for Vodacom SA.

From its inception, the awards have proved an overwhelming success among the journalistic fraternity with past winners declaring that recognition in winning a Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award was “worth so much in their professional and personal capacity.”

As Convenor of Judges of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year, Advocate Robin Sewlal said he was “encouraged by the enhanced level of interest being displayed in the competition.” He said that the enthusiasm shown, especially by the community media sector, bodes extremely well for the country’s most prestigious competition.

“The growing interest from journalists across the spectrum is not only a case of them wanting to be recognised and rewarded but also a sure signal that the Vodacom Journalist of the Year is contributing to driving excellence in journalism. Journalists in South Africa are beginning to take themselves as well as their work seriously”, he added.

Sewlal also highlighted that during his recent travels in and around the country, he had been overwhelmed by the number of both young and seasoned journalists who strongly indicated their intention to enter. “It is therefore pleasing that journalists’ long-held feeling of modesty in connection with their work is slowly fading away.”

The Regional Awards will be held from 01 September until 14 September 2009 in Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg, consecutively. The glittering National Awards will take place in early October in Johannesburg where the overall Vodacom Journalist of the Year will be announced.

The Vodacom Journalist of the Year is sponsored by Vodacom in association with 1Time Airline, Southern Sun, The Sandton Sun, Media Express, Nokia and the JSE.