By Divine Ihechimerem
Sanlam and Santam, the joint sponsors of the Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism has released the shortlisted entries for the 2023 awards.
A total of 170 entries from 13 countries on the African continent were received for the 2023 competition, the highest number yet in the competition’s 49-year history.
Nixon Kariithi, chair of the independent judging panel, said: “The quality of entries remains high. It has been most encouraging to see both the high number of entries as well as the complex and topical stories spotlighted by financial journalists across the African continent.”
The 2023 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year and category winners will be announced at a gala event in Johannesburg on 25 July 2024.
The shortlisted journalists are:
In the vibrant heart of Africa, where stories unfold against the backdrop of bustling cities and serene landscapes, a unique event was taking place that celebrated the power of the written word and the voices behind them. The prestigious African Journalism Awards were about to honor the continent’s finest journalists who had been shortlisted for their exceptional contributions across various categories.
The Grand Hall of the African Media Institute in Johannesburg was a hive of activity. Attendees from across the continent gathered, each with a shared passion for journalism and a commitment to telling the stories that shape nations. As the sun set, casting a golden hue over the city, the ceremony commenced with a fervor that matched the significance of the occasion.
In the Business and Companies category are Dewald van Rensburg, Micah Reddy, and Sam Sole from AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism in South Africa, Ann Crotty and Rob Rose from Financial Mail, South Africa; Daniel Okujwa from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Nigeria, Dominic Omondi from Daily Nation, Kenya, Kingsley Jeremiah from The Guardian, Nigeria, and Susan Comrie from amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism rounded out the formidable list.
Next was the Economy category, with Claire Bisseker of Financial Mail, South Africa, and Kitso Dickson from Business Weekly & Review, Botswana. Lisa Steyn from News24, South Africa, and Odimegwu Onwumere from The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria; Paul Murungi, representing both Daily Monitor and CEO East Africa Magazine in Uganda, and Ryk van Niekerk from Moneyweb, RSG Geldsake, South Africa, and Rob Rose making another appearance for his contributions in this field.
In the Financial Markets category, we have Bernard Busuulwa from The EastAfrican, Uganda, and Jaco Visser from Financial Mail, South Africa, Kabelo Khumalo of Business Day, South Africa, and Lisa Steyn. Others are Kenya’s Otiato Guguyu and Patrick Alushula from Nation Media Group and South Africa’s Rob Rose and Ruan Jooste from Personal Finance.
Consumer Financial Education saw a diverse group of nominees. Ephraim Modise from TechCabal, Maya Fisher-French from CityPress, Maya on Money, and Neesa Moodley from Daily Maverick, all based in South Africa. Nike Popoola from Punch Newspaper, Nigeria, Paul Busharizi from New Vision, Uganda, and Ryk van Niekerk were also celebrated, with The Devi Show from eTV, South Africa, adding a multimedia element to the category.
The African Growth Story category brought forward journalists who had documented the continent’s dynamic development. Caleb Ojewale from Business Day, Nigeria, and Garth Theunissen from Business Day and News24 Business, South Africa; Joseph Olaoluwa from TechCabal, Kingsley Jeremiah from The Guardian, Nigeria, Mahamadi Sebogo from Sidwaya, Burkina Faso, Nicole Pillay from Forbes Africa, and Paul Murungi from Uganda completed the list.
ESG: Business and the Environment celebrated those shining a light on sustainability. Ann Crotty, Giulietta Talevi, and Jaco Visser from Financial Mail, South Africa; Justice Nwafor from Nigerian Tribune, Nigeria, Paul Murungi, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman from EIB Network, Ghana, and Ryk van Niekerk.
ESG: Business and Society had Ann Crotty, George Kwaning from TV3 Ghana, Kabelo Khumalo, Kingsley Jeremiah, Odimegwu Onwumere, Oluwatomisin Amokeoja from Forbes Africa, Rob Rose, and Ryk van Niekerk.
In the Broadcast: Audio/Radio category, Destiny Onyemihia from Voice of Nigeria, Maya Fisher-French, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, Ruan Jooste, and Ryk van Niekerk were the shortlisted candidates.
Finally, the TV/Video category saw George Kwaning, Nothando Magudulela from SABC News, South Africa, and Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman as the shortlists.
The review of submissions was led by Nixon Kariithi and an esteemed panel of judges from across Africa, including
Angela Agoawike, media practitioner (Nigeria); Emily May Brown, media studies academic (Namibia), Freddie Rayborn Bulley, financial journalism trainer (Ghana), Ylva Rodny Gumede, media studies and international relations scholar (South Africa);Tom Indimuli, communications consultant (Kenya); Ulrich Joubert, independent economist (South Africa), Aggie Asiimwe Konde, chartered marketer, CIM Fellow and ESG advisor (Uganda); Charles Naudé, retired editor (South Africa) and Musa Zondi, communications consultant/freelance business writer (South Africa)
Established in 1974, the awards recognises outstanding financial journalists in print, online, radio and television media who are based in Africa, working in an African news organisation and publishing, or broadcasting their work on the continent.