Controversial cartoon awarded
2009-05-06 23:48
Cape Town - In-depth articles, hard news stories, features and investigative journalism - South Africa's top journalists were recognised for their work at the Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards that were held on Wednesday.
Jonathan Shapiro's (Zapiro) "Rape of Justice" and "Xenophobia Flag" cartoons, both published last year in the Sunday Times and Mail & Guardian, earned him a win the graphical journalism category. The cartoons last year sparked debate and outrage around the country.
In the "Rape of Justice" cartoon, he portrayed Zuma unbuckling his belt as he prepares to rape the figurative Lady Justice.
She is held down by Zuma allies Julius Malema, Gwede Mantashe, Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi.
"The judges did not necessarily endorse the sentiments of the controversial "Rape of Justice" cartoon, but acknowledged it is an outstandingly powerful visual statement that had been deliberately designed to elicit enormous reaction," said Guy Berger, who led the judging panel. Berger is the head of Rhodes University's school of journalism and media studies.
Now in its eighth year, the theme of this year's competition was "The Obvious is the Enemy" and featured 601 entries from 37 South African newspapers.
Investigative journalism award
The top award for investigative journalism was given to Chandre Prince, Ntando Makhubu and Lubabalo Ngcukana from the Daily Dispatch for their "Killer water in the Ukhahlamba District Municipality".
Their 34-page entry told the story of how babies died in the Eastern Cape as a result of government negligence, incompetence and cover-ups.
Sports photography, a new category, was won by Rapport's Deaan Vivier for his "Dis weer die ou Bulle!" (It's the old Bulls again) entry.
Prince Chauke of the Sunday Sun won the popular journalism category with his pieces "How do you cope with 'Doctor Willie'?" and "The Faker".
"Some of the stories we examined are open to ethical questions, in the sense of intrusion into private lives, but a great deal were squarely on the button in terms of the role of the media as a force for good," said Berger.
Journalist of the Year
"Secret boy's weird world", a heart-rending story about an eight-year-old boy who was kept captive by his father, secured Kanina Foss and Alex Eliseev of The Star a win the hard news category.
Beauregard Tromp was named "Mondi Shanduka South African Newspaper Journalist of the Year" for his coverage of the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa in 2008, and was described by the judges as a person who went "many" extra miles in covering these events.
After almost 50 years in the media, veteran journalist Joe Thloloe was awarded the Alan Kirkland Soga Lifetime Achiever accolade.
Beeld, Business Day and Rapport were the front-runners in the Newspaper Association of South Africa's annual Frewin, Joel Mervis and McCall awards announced at the Mondi Awards.
Read all the winners' entries at Printmedia's website.