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 onSABC2’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 Postfor 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 theissue 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.
Article from: Anglican Church of Southern Africa