The Star earned a double win in the categories for ‘South African Newspaper Journalist of the Year’ and ‘South African Story of the Year’ in the eighth annual Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards presented in Johannesburg on Wednesday, May 6.

Beauregard Tromp was named ‘Mondi Shanduka South African Newspaper Journalist of the Year’ for his coverage of the outbreak of xenophobic violence in South Africa in 2008, and was described by the judges as a person who went an extra ‘many miles’ in covering these events.

“We chose this journalist for getting beyond the viewpoint of generalised observation and capturing the individuality of people caught up in the carnage,” said the panel headed by Professor Guy Berger of Rhodes University’s school of journalism and media studies.

The judges described Tromp’s series as ‘highly enterprising journalism, showing commitment and sensitivity on an emotionally testing subject’.

“The narration was poignant and appropriate to the content without being over-written or clichéd in any way.”

The South African Newspaper Journalist of the Year Award recognises outstanding performance by a newspaper journalist for work that demonstrates exceptional endeavour and world-class quality.

Antoine De Ras’ photographic account of the xenophobic violence earned him a win for ‘Mondi Shanduka South African Story of the Year’. De Ras was applauded for his compelling and vivid portrayal of the huge impact the xenophobic attacks had on tens of thousands of people.

“This was a story told in many genres of words as well as in imagery and presentation. While many South African citizens are ashamed about what happened, extensive and exemplary coverage is at least something from which we can take some solace,” said the judges.

“While many journalists did amazing documentation, often with daring and dedicated exertion, Ras was able to render the crisis in extremely compelling, vivid and varied detail.”

This category of the competition honours agenda-setting and original journalism which contributes to society by giving new insight into the changing character of South Africa.

Both winners were selected from the 601 entries submitted by 37 South African newspapers. They were each presented with a Mondi Shanduka Premier Award of R15,000 cash, a trophy and a certificate.