|
PR-P1-SAB-ENVIRONMENT-AWARDS SAPA PR--P1: 09 SAB ENVIRONMENTALIST & ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS OF... |
|
Nov 09, 2009 at 05:26 PM |
ISSUED BY: DLAMINI WEIL COMMUNICATIONS
ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
09 NOVEMBER 2009
2009 SAB ENVIRONMENTALIST AND ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS OF THE
YEAR AWARDS
[Johannesburg, 9 November 2009] All sectors of the media are now
showing a significant commitment reporting on environmental
concerns. This year saw a record number of entries for the 21st SAB
Environmentalist And Environmental Journalists Of The Year Awards
which have become South Africa's most prestigious accolade for
journalists producing crucial environmental coverage.
Bishop Geoff Davies, SA's "Green Bishop", was named
Environmentalist of the Year and received the Nick Steele Memorial
Award for his inspiring work. The award is given in honour of the
late legendary game ranger Nick Steele, and honours an
environmentalist who has promoted the cause of conservation and
whose work will leave a legacy for years to come.
Davies is the founder and executive director of the South
African Faith Communities' Environment Institute which brings
together people who come from all religious walks of life and are
committed to environmental issues. The overriding priority is the
health of the planet and for communities to take on their
environmental responsibilities. The body has actively established
partnerships between faith communities and with environmental
bodies. Davies was praised by the judges for bridging the gap
between the environment and the spiritual life of people.
Donald Guy was named SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year in
the broadcast category for Pondo People, aired on SABC2's 50/50.
This people-centred story focuses on the impact that mining in the
area of Xolobeni has on the Amapondo people as well as the
environment. The judges praised the piece for being accessible to a
wide audience.
Honoured alongside her as SAB Environmental Journalist in the
print & internet category was Leoni Joubert who has always been
committed to drawing the nation's attention to a whole range of
environmental concerns. She has produced two excellent books this
year including Boiling Point: People in a Changing Climate and
Invaded: The Biological Invasion of South Africa while maintaining
several columns in The Mail & Guardian and other outlets.
The inaugural Magqubu Ntombela and Ian Player Cub Award to
reward environmental journalists starting out in the field went to
Tanya dos Santos from The Newcastle Advertiser for her series of
stories on the need to protect water as one of our dwindling
natural resources while exposing local municipality incompetence.
The award is named after renowned conservationist Dr Ian Player and
the late famous umZulu game ranger Magqubu Ntombela.
Merit winners in the broadcast category were Liz Fish for the
hard-hitting and well researched Fishy Business broadcast on
M-Net's Carte Blanche; Makhosi Maphumulo from Radio Khwezi for her
weekly environmental magazine programme that broadcasts to a rural
community in the kwa Zulu Natal Midlands and Ian Hooper for A
Vision Of Paradise - Global Warming And Religion broadcast on SABC
Religion.
Print & Internet merit winners were Tasmin Cupido from The
People's Post for her series of articles about Princess Vlei;
Antoine de Ras from The Star for the pictorial spread The Life of
Brian, the first time a photographer has been honoured at these
awards, and Yolandie Groenewald from The Mail & Guardian who has
focused on the issue of proliferating coal mines and their impact.
Along with the coveted title, the three category winners each
took home R15 000. The Cub Award carries a prize of R5000. Merit
winners received R2 000.
A record number of entries were received this year, but
according to the panel of judges, the high standard of entries
received for the awards was even more gratifying. The proliferation
of online media entries signifies the shifting trend in the way
newsrooms are going. It was also encouraging to see an increase in
the number of radio entries as well as those received from
community media. The judges were James Clarke; Simon Gear; Kristina
Gubic; June Josephs-Langa; Mbaweni Manqele; Jeunesse Park and Dr
Ian Player.
|
