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Daily Maverick journalists honoured for impactful reporting at national awards

13 Nov 2024

These recognitions in the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards are a testament to the dedication, care and skill that our journalists bring to their craft every day.

Daily Maverick extends heartfelt congratulations to all journalists for their achievements at the 2024 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards (VJOJ Awards).

The national winners were honoured at a ceremony in Johannesburg on 7 November, which paid homage to the persevering efforts of the South African media. The awards bring together some of South Africa’s finest journalists, to celebrate outstanding work across the industry.

This year, more than 1,200 entries across 12 categories were reviewed by a panel of industry experts led by Ryland Fisher: Arthur Goldstuck, Collin Nxumalo, Dr Elna Rossouw, Professor Gilbert Motsaathebe, Jovial Rantao, Manelisi Dubase, Neo Ntsoma, Obed Zilwa, Patricia McCraken, Portia Kobue and advocate Robin Selwal.

Amid this distinguished gathering of talent, we are deeply grateful that the dedication and commitment of Daily Maverick’s journalists have been recognised. They have brought important issues to the forefront, showing courage, empathy and an unwavering belief in the power of truth.

Honouring our award-winning story

Sustainability winner

Taking stock – staggering scale of Western Cape wildfires as fire season continues to rage, by Victoria O’Regan with contributor Kristin Engel, was awarded the top honour in the Sustainability category.

The judges commended the work as “excellent environmental journalism, combining comprehensive reporting and compelling style to tell the story of the staggering scale of Western Cape wildfires”. The story captures the gravity of an environmental crisis that affects countless lives, reflecting the depth and impact that dedicated journalism can achieve.

Commended stories

Several of our journalists’ stories received commendations from the judges – stories that have sparked dialogue and brought critical issues to light:

Features

Tamsin Meterlerkamp was recognised for Cold reality – many of us are closer to living on the street than we think, which offers an honest, empathetic look at the precariousness of homelessness in South Africa. Her work draws readers into a nuanced, urgent issue with the hope of fostering greater understanding.

Lifestyle

Michelle Banda earned a commendation for Father’s rights — the complex web many are forced to navigate to access their children. This feature thoughtfully explores the challenges faced by fathers in navigating family law, shedding light on a complex aspect of family life in South Africa.

Sustainability

Julia Evans was commended in the Sustainability category for Rapid water lettuce spread, which highlights the environmental impact of invasive species on our water systems. Her work emphasises the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the need for proactive environmental action.

These recognitions are a testament to the dedication, care and skill that our journalists bring to their craft every day. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and we extend our deepest congratulations to them.

For the full list of 2024 VJOY award winners, click here. DM

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