Winners galore at glamorous 25th annual Caxton Awards

The Caxton East and South Rand region raked in four top awards at the 25th annual Caxton Awards ceremony, held at the Johannesburg Theatre, in Braamfontein, on Thursday, March 13.

The four winners from our region were Clarice Mncwabe, Benoni City Times (switchboard operator); Kevin van der List, Benoni City Times (best feature photograph) Kai McWhinnie, Bedfordview Edenvale News (best small ad) and Jurie Hayes, South and East Rand (best telesalesperson).

Karen Watts Caxton East and South Rand general manager said: “We are very proud of our four winners as well as all our highly commended and finalist nominees, who were only just pipped at the post.

“We pride ourselves on producing award winning newspapers that connect with the communities they serve.”

The awards ceremony, themed “Grace and Glamour”, was graced by a number of celebrities, including MC Simba Mhere of Top Billing fame, Anel Alexander, Donnalee Roberts, Eloise Cupido, Elma Postma and Pearl Nxele.

Entertainment was provided by hugely popular house band Mi Casa and boy band District and classical ballet lovers were delighted by performances by the Joburg Ballet company.

Caxton East and South also notched up recognition (highly commended or finalists) in a number of other categories.

Ad Designer of the Year Lori-Ann Strydom (highly commended) and Iqsaan Badroodeen of Alberton Record, East Rand (finalist);

Best Overall Promotion of a Publication: finalists Marcelle Müller and Gerhardt Theron; East and South Rand for their Heritage Day Amazing Race, Malcolm Maifala and his Joburg South team for their Creative Writing Competition and Elize Kluyts, Carlene du Toit, Annelette Nel and Ricardo de Souza of Boksburg Advertiser for their Feathers and Lace Women’s Day promotion.

Best Headline Writing: Chitra Bodasing of Johannesburg East Express (highly commended).

Best Regular Column: finalist Gary Potgieter of Bedfordview/Edenvale News.

Best Free Newspaper, more than 24 pages: finalist Alberton Record, editor Carina van der Walt

Best Minor Advertising Feature: finalists Carla Moreira, Lyndene Marilli and Dylan Fourie of Joburg East Get It with “Ten Hot Spots in Joburg East.”

Best Feature Photograph: Maile Matsimela (finalist).

Finalist Best Hard News Photograph: Lucky Thusi of Southern Courier.

Highly commended Best Sports Photograph: Annettte van Schalkwyk of Comaro Chronicle.

Field Salesperson of the Year: Sanet Bester of Bedfordview Edenvale News (finalist).