media update's Adam Wakefield was there to find out who would be taking home prizes this year. 

The awards began with Clynton Yon, Toyota South Africa senior manager: corporate communications, welcoming attendees before the SAGMJ chairperson Bernard Hellberg Jr took to the podium to deliver his remarks. Paulo Propero, marketing manager at Toyota Financial Services, also spoke on behalf of his division.

Hellberg Jr noted that the "real reason we are here tonight is to celebrate you." The awards featured 27 categories and 114 entrants across multiple platforms. 

"Whether you are an award winner, entrant, a friend, whatever it may be, this is the night for you. This night is about the brave souls who dedicate their souls to the industry and have the guts to put the fruits of their labour under the microscope," he said.

Among the journalists recognised, Egmont Sippel was the leading winner, claiming the top prize in the Newspaper – Motoring, Newspaper – Motorsport, Digital Media – Motorsport, and Road Safety categories. Most importantly, Sippel received the Motoring Journalist of the Year Award.

Other multiple award winners were Patrick O'Leary (Photojournalist, Commercial Vehicles), Gavin Foster (Magazine – Motorsport, Magazine – Motorcycles), Seagram Pearce (Carli Norval Photograph of the Year, Photographer – Motoring), and Carl and Jeanette Kritzinger (Radio – Motoring, Radio – Motorcycling).

Motorcycling Journalist of the Year winner Johann van Tonder also claimed the top prize in the Newspaper – Motorcycles category, while Photographer of the Year winner Jay Groat also won in the Photographer – Motorcycles category. 

The Chairman's Award was awarded to longtime Guild associate Adell de Vos for her service and dedication, while Ashref Ismail was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Brenwin Naidu received the Steve Dlamini Award, which is awarded to promising young journalists within the Guild.

The other award winners were:
  • Graeme Hurst, Magazine – Motoring;
  • James Siddall, Digital Media – Motoring;
  • Hannes Visser, Television – Motoring;
  • Gavin Foster, Magazine – Motorsport;
  • Plan-C Productions, Television – Motorsport;
  • Neels Rabe, Patrick Vermaak, and Nick van der Meulen, Radio – Motorsport; and
  • Mark Smyth, Editor of the Year. 
For more information, connect with the SAGMJ on Facebook or on Twitter.

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Brenwin Naidu was a winner at the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists' Awards and has looked to write content off the beaten track. Read more in our article, The ins and outs of Lifestyle Motoring.