Highvelder shines at Avbob FCJ Awards
For the first time, Highvelder was also nominated as a finalist in the Free Newspaper of the Year category.
The Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards, hosted by the Forum of Community Journalists, is a prestigious event in the media industry, boasting exciting new categories and over 500 entries this year.
Highvelder’s own Wayne van der Walt held on to his Photographer of the Year title for the second consecutive year.
He was also the winner in the sport and general photography categories and claimed a third place in the news category.
Highvelder was also nominated as a finalist in the Free Newspaper of the Year category.
After the event, Van der Walt said: “I thank God for revealing this talent to me, albeit later in life, and am deeply honoured by these awards. The exceptional quality of this year’s entries highlights the talent within the media industry, and it is an exciting prospect for the future to see many new contributors emerge in South Africa’s community photojournalism scene.”
This year’s recipient of the Alet Roux Trophy for Most Promising Journalist went to Matthew Handley of the Middelburg Observer. Daleen Naudé, also of the Middelburg Observer, walked away with the Journalist of the Year Award.
In his address, Avbob’s CEO, Carl van der Riet, said: “Our support for these FCJ Excellence Awards stems from a shared purpose: we believe in the power of community. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, and we see community journalism as a vital source of information and empowerment. As a business, we stand ready to continue our support to community media – as one of the platforms to reach communities – in order to preserve a vibrant, diverse and independent press. We are celebrating brave and exceptional journalism! To all the nominees and winners, a heartfelt congratulations. The stories you tell matter, your voices matter, and your impact is undeniable.”
The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner, featuring guest speakers Mondli Makhanya, editor-in-chief of the City Press and political commentator, as well as Willem Kempen and Cornia Pretorius, who spoke about artificial intelligence and community journalism.
Winners:
Journalist of the Year
Third: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)
Second: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)
Winner: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Photographer of the Year
Third: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
See some of Van der Walt’s photos from 2023 below:
Alet Roux Award for Upcoming Journalist of the Year
Winner: Matthew Handley (Middelburg Observer)
Photography
General
Third place: Carina Roux (TygerBurger)
Second place: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)
Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
News
Third: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Winner: Jamey Gordon (District Mail & Helderberg Gazette)
Sport
Third: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Second: Rashied Isaacs (People’s Post)
Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)
Writing categories:
Editorial comments & columns
Third: Nielen de Klerk (TygerBurger)
Second: Lise Beyers (Paarl Post)
Winner: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)
Digital reporting
Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad / Ster North)
Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)
Winner: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)
Headlines
Third: Liezl Scheepers (Parys Gazette)
Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)
Winner: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Human interest
Third: Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times)
Second: Wouter Pienaar (Potchefstroom Herald)
Winner: Esmé Erasmus (TygerBurger)
Hard news
Third: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)
Second: Gerhard Rheeder (Middelburg Observer)
Winner: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)
Investigative reporting
Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad / Ster North)
Second: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)
Winner: Anton Van Zyl (Limpopo Mirror & Zoutpansberger)
Sport
Third: Mark Kinnear (Lowvelder)
Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)
Winner: Hugo Redelinghuys (Suid-Kaap Forum)
Best Front Page
Third: Bedfordview and Edenvale News
Second: TygerBurger Table View
Winner: City Vision
Best Back Page
Third: Zululand Observer
Second: Lowvelder
Winner: George Herald
Free Newspaper of the Year
Third: TygerBurger Milnerton
Second: Roodepoort Northsider
Winner: NoordkaapBulletin
Paid Newspaper of the Year
Third: Suid-Kaap Forum
Second: Lowvelder
Winner: Zululand Observer
