The Multiplatform Stories category has not only grown in the number of entries but also in the quality of the entries, says the awards.

"The entries often have broadcast-quality video, and are well-shot and well-edited, and used to tell standalone stories or to complement text," says Lizeka Mda, 2020's convenor of the judging panel.

Another category that is coming into its own, is the Enterprise Category, adds the awards. "Entries in this category continue their upward trajectory this year, attesting to the growing significance of enterprise journalism in South Africa," says Thabo Leshilo, a member of the judging panel.

"While this makes adjudication increasingly challenging for the judge, it shows that the news media are increasingly appreciating the need to differentiate themselves by finding unique stories that'll set them apart from competitors," Leshilo adds.

Two categories, one established and one that was launched in 2019, both saw excellent entries, according to the awards. The Features category has always drawn a large number of high-quality entries and this year was no exception, the awards say. The same was seen for the Lifestyle category.

"The Lifestyle and Features categories had many excellent entries that it was extremely difficult to draw up a shortlist," says Liesl Louw-Vaudran, a fellow judging panel member.

"For me, many brilliant features from across the country stood out showing the immense commitment by the journalists, making it difficult to select the top 10 and then a shortlist," Louw-Vaudran concludes. 

The judging panel reviewed the 14 categories, including the:
  • South African Story of the Year
  • Journalist of the Year
  • Upcoming / Rising Star of the Year, and
  • Lifetime Achiever Award (Allan Kirkland Soga Achievement Award). 
The winners will be announced at the virtual awards event on Thursday, 15 October. Winners will receive R15 000, a trophy and a certificate.

For more information, visit www.pdmedia.org.za. You can also follow the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards on Facebook.