The Awards, now in their fourth year, saw the who’s who of the South African newspaper industry gather in Sandton to honour the best among them.
Dr Magubane received a standing ovation when he went on stage to collect his award and addressed the guests; “It is us the journalists that freed this country. In the process some of us died. Some of us are still working to make sure that whatever happens in this country and affects black people is known across the globe so the world can see what is happening in South Africa.” He added that it was up to the young journalists out there to continue this.
Dr Magubane is a world acclaimed photographer and joined DRUM magazine in 1955 as a driver. After six months of odd jobs, he was given a photography assignment. From then onwards he played a significant role in documenting the Apartheid regime, photographing many of the country’s most historic moments, including Sharpeville and the Rivonia trial. He was part of the anti-apartheid defiance campaigns and spent 586 days in solitary during this time.
Another key award, the Fellow Award of the PDMSA was given to Paula Fray for her many years of service on the judging panel of the previous Mondi Awards as well as serving as convener judge for the Sikuvile Journalism Awards for the past four years. As convener judge, Fray and her team have successfully made these Awards the industry standard.
On receiving her award, Fray says she is extremely honoured to receive this recognition and, in so doing, join a fraternity of media persons whom she admires. “Print and online media are at an exciting and challenging phase of tremendous change. We have an opportunity to redefine what stories we tell, how we tell them and how we create sustainable business models to continue to tell our stories. I have no doubt that the industry will rise to the occasion.”
Standard Bank’s CEO, Sim Tshabalala said the awards were testimony to the journalists, editors, designers and everyone else in the newspaper industry, and this year recognised individuals who continued to uphold the traditional values of journalism, but at the same time recognized and used the new channels.
Neo Momodu, PDMSA President, added to this, saying that while the newspaper industry was changing because of technology, the one constant that always has to remain is media freedom. “Journalists must be able to have the freedom and ability to express themselves while challenging assumptions without fear, we uphold the Constitution.”
She announced that the Press council of South Africa will be unveiling a joint code of conduct shortly. “This is another progressive example of an industry working together and shaping our democracy.”
The Awards are an annual recognition of excellence in South African journalism. There were 75 finalists in the 14 Award categories, selected from an initial 697 submissions.
For more information, visit www.pdmedia.org.za. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.