The Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards were started nine years ago with the aim of celebrating distinction in journalism by giving recognition to the individuals who continually dedicate their lives to report the news.

“We were very impressed with the calibre of entries in the Eastern region this year, as with previous years, the entrants really put their best foot forward,” said Robin Sewlal, convener of judges. “It attests to the massive talent that is inherent in the South African media that we received such a plethora of quality entries.”

Portia Maurice, Chief Officer for Public Affairs at Vodacom Ltd, said: “We are encouraged by the world-class quality of the winning entries and hope that they will use the award to productively enhance their careers and profession at large.”

After a rigorous selection process and plenty of deliberation amongst the judging panel, the winners of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Eastern region are:

2010 Regional Photography Winner is Werner Hills from Die Burger
Photographs help in no small measure to give depth to stories which capture the imagination of audiences. Many factors have to be taken into account in acquiring top-quality photographs. The photographer skillfully manages to provide images that crisply display the 'The Ugly Secret of Graaff-Reinett'.

2010 Regional Television – General News Winner is Lumko Jimlongo of SABC for her piece entitled 'Debate'
This TV feature portrays in detail the life of poverty; child headed households; and rural communities. Almost more shocking than the 11 year old trying to look after four siblings between the ages of 3 and 10 is the lack of care; support; and Ubuntu from neighbours; villagers; and relatives. When the mother is tracked down what we recognise is a young woman emotionally dysfunctional and totally unable to be responsible for so many children.

2010 Regional Television – Feature Winner is Nontsikelelo Nohiya for her piece entitled 'Forgotten Children for SABC Cutting Edge'
This TV feature portrays in detail the life of poverty, child headed households and rural communities. Almost more shocking than the 11-year-old trying to look after four siblings between the ages of 3 and 10 is the lack of care; support; and Ubuntu from neighbours; villagers; and relatives. When the mother is tracked down what we recognise is a young woman emotionally dysfunctional and totally unable to be responsible for so many children.

2010 Regional Print - General News Winner is Brian Hayward from the Weekend Post for his relentless pursuit of the truth
The winning stories came about as a result of painstaking investigation which took weeks; a series of interviews with sources that needed convincing; and meticulous pursuit of a convoluted paper trail. The resulting articles exposed an extensive fraud and have led to arrests. The fraud involved the principal of a respected school as well as officials and trustees who funneled millions of Rands into their personal accounts. The officials conspired to rob the school of funds meant for the school’s library and a deaf testing centre.

2010 Regional Print – Feature Winner is Anri Hendricks of Die Burger for her body of work in 'Graaf-Reinet's Ugly Secret'
This contribution takes the reader to the belly of this evil beast facing South Africa, namely hunger; ignorance; and disease. The effective use of the headline; text; and pictures to tell a compelling story is the hallmark of the real journalist.

2010 Regional Radio - General News Winner is Mandla Gceya from the SABC for his sensitive story on the plight of ‘Babies’
The future is now. How can we possibly build a better country if we do not care for those who most need our attention. The journalist’s story is one which will touch even the most hardened soul. Through good use of the key attributes of radio, the entry gives the listener deep understanding and appreciation of the problem. The journalist uncovers negligence in the handling of our children. The issue is about child mortality and the journalist intelligently links it with the Millennium Development Goals, a project that would take on increasing importance as the deadline looms.

2010 Regional Radio – Feature Winner is Nkululeko Protector Nyembezi of Tembuland
The winner in this category showed that the radio feature, if well executed, has the ability to take a story that is known and turn it into a brilliant news feature. By simply following tried and tested methods – the journalist presented a story that was well researched, had sound that was exciting, voices that were diverse and views that were pertinent, balanced and fair. The story was well presented and the news judgment excellent.

2010 Regional Financial / Economic Winner is Zelda Jongbloed from the Die Burger for her story entitled 'Kampvegter'
The ability to tackle complex issues and make them digestible for one’s audience is the hallmark of good journalism. The entrant further displays in depth understanding of this difficult beat. And even more remarkable is that the journalist is prolific in covering financial and economic issues. The journalist plays a sterling role in educating readers as well as gives them a voice in issues which directly affects them. The work of the journalist continually provides the audience with workable solutions. It is quite evident that the lifestyles of readers have improved through the efforts of the journalist.

2010 Regional Columnist Winner is Laura Miti of Avusa Media For her series of columns of life in the Eastern Cape
To many, the columnist is a writer who can shoot from the hip, and is free to make harsh, often seemingly vicious and one-sided opinions on people and issues without regard for facts or fairness. A columnist has been given a forum by the newspaper from which to proclaim a point of view under his or her name on virtually any subject with precious few restrictions. But implicit in that grant of freedom is the obligation to get facts straight.

A news column is easy to use and helpful when a reader desires a deeper understanding of one particular issue. Its success in meeting these goals is no accident. A good column gets the reader engaged, offers them analytical facts with new questions and renewed appreciation through analytical commentary. When a columnist is making a strong case on one thing or another, he or she still should do solid reporting in getting the facts before offering an opinion.

2010 Regional Cartoonist Winner is Mark Wiggett from The Herald
Cartoons give the artist the license to convey his or her message some times in a light-hearted manner and at other times in a serious way. These works by and large throw more light on an issue of interest to society. This entry is a very good artistic illustration with thoughtful meaning which predicts the way in which South Africa may be headed.

2010 Regional Sport Winner is Dominic Peel from the Daily Dispatch for his revealing piece - 'Kei Cricket in Disarray'
There is no need to repair something if it is not broken. However, if it is, then drastic measures need to be adopted to remedy the situation. The story is the initiative of the journalist to probe the behind-the-scenes happenings as to why a sport which was once thriving in the region had reached such a low point. The flouting of rules pertaining to corporate governance, disagreements regarding finances and disputed elections were but some of the real reasons as to why the board was ousted from the mother body. The journalist further gleans that political intervention was sought to unravel the impasse. All the misdeeds had unfortunately impacted heavily on players especially children and coaching staff.

2010 Regional Online Winner is The Herald Online team of Sam Majela, Lana Breedt and Lee-Anne Butler with their investigative series titled 'Schools of Shame'
This tear-jerker series graphically exposes shocking conditions at schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay areas and underscores the incongruous injustices of our democracy.