The sixth annual Media24 Magazines Excellence Awards were held on Thursday night at a jazz themed gala evening presented by MC Dave Levinson, at Pigalle restaurant in Cape Town.

The Awards, hosted for the first time by newly appointed CEO of Media24 Magazines, John Relihan, were created to recognise and reward outstanding achievements in journalism and sales. The event was attended by some of South Africa's leading journalists, and business leaders from within the Media24 stable.

The judging process is kept within Media24, meaning the 12 journalism and two sales winners have been chosen and applauded by their peers. Judging takes place twice annually and nominees for the annual competition are selected from the winners of the two semesters. The semesters are for publishing periods April to September 2007 (1st Semester) and October 2007 to March 2008 (2nd Semester).

Competition convenor, Lizette Rabe, and retired Media24 CEO, Salie de Swardt, formed part of the final judging process for the annual awards.

John Relihan says, “The awards are a test to the fact that Media24 is fortunate enough to have some of the best talent in the industry consistently creating world class publications."

This year's overall winners:
*Journalist of the Year: André le Roux, Sarie/Dana Snyman, Weg!/Marianne Thamm, Fairlady.
*Photographer of the Year: Marc Bow, topCAR.
*Best Magazine Concept: Home Technology Guide, Men’s Health Living.

Title winners:
*Best Columnist: André le Roux, Sarie; Dana Snyman, Weg!; Marianne Thamm, Fairlady.
*Best Cover: Kim Stone & Glynis O’Hara, Femina.
*Best Feature: Malcolm Ray, Finweek.
*Best Photographer: Marc Bow, topCar.
*Best Specialist Journalist: Heather Parker, Fairlady.
*Best Speciality Editor (At leisure, home, DIY): Barbara Joubert, SarieKOS.
*Best Speciality Editor (Fashion and beauty, health and wellness): Shannon Smith, Fairlady.
*Best Supplement: Home Technology Guide, Men’s Health Living.
*Best Visual Concept: Deidré Nortjé en Esma le Roux, Weg!/go!.
*Editor’s Choice: Jon Minster, Weg!/go!.
*Innovation: HuisgenootPOLS/YOU PULSE; SarieKOS.
*Positively South African: Pieter van Zyl, Huisgenoot.

Sales winners
*Sales Manager of the Year: Terance Winson, 8-Ink Media.
*Sales Person of the Year: Eugene Marais, Family Magazines.