Moneyweb editor and RSG Geldsake radio news presenter, Ryk van Niekerk, recently received the 2024 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year Award at a gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the awards in Johannesburg.
With over 25 years’ experience in economic, political, business and consumer financial reporting, Van Niekerk was recognised by the independent panel of judges for his journalistic rigour, commitment to transparency and consumer financial education. An ardent contestant, over the years Van Niekerk has won several awards across the categories in the awards, including the ESG and Consumer categories.
He is known for his incisive journalism, sharp economic commentary, and ability to translate complex financial issues into understandable information for professionals and the public. He has exposed the fault lines in South Africa’s financial and industrial systems. His reporting — ranging from the underground trade in illegal livestock vaccines to the liquidation battle at Xodus Gold — have informed the public and triggered regulatory scrutiny and sector-wide reflection.
Judging panel chairperson, Nixon Kariithi, said Van Niekerk’s work probes the underbelly of South African finance and governance, persistently engaging with systemic challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s financial and industrial landscape.
“His reporting generates public debate, regulatory attention, and direct responses from implicated entities. His work exemplifies how media can serve as an accountability mechanism where formal oversight is weak or delayed,” said Kariithi.
In addition to the financial journalist of the year prize, the other main awards were the African Growth Story Award, Best Newcomer and Lifetime Achiever.
The African Growth Story Award is open to financial journalists across Africa who report on trade and investment news. Entries must address Africa’s growth in investments, infrastructure or economic development.
This year the award went to Mahamadi Sebogo (of Sidwaya, Burkina Faso) who, in 2023, earned third prize in the category.
Sebogo is a Burkinabè journalist and Head of the Economy and Finance Desk at Sidwaya. “His work,” said Kariithi, “exemplifies the power of journalism to illuminate complex economic issues and amplify underrepresented voices in West Africa’s development narrative.” The Best newcomer prize went to Deogratius Wamala (Daily Monitor, Uganda) whose work focuses on how policy and innovation shape Uganda’s economy.
“Wamala is of that new generation of African financial journalists, combining technical expertise with strong storytelling to explain complex economic developments in Uganda and beyond,” said Kariithi.
Mzimkulu Malunga was awarded the Lifetime Achiever accolade.
The Lifetime Achiever Award honours individuals for significant, long-term contributions to financial journalism in Africa. It recognises those whose work has advanced the profession, promoted economic development, informed the public, and upheld media integrity.
Malunga is a South African media executive, journalist, and business strategist with over 34 years of experience in the media industry. He started as a junior reporter at the Weekly Mail (now Mail & Guardian) in 1988, joined the Sowetan in 1992 as a business reporter and became its business editor. He was Group CEO of Arena Holdings, which owns Sunday Times, Business Day, Financial Mail, and other major South African titles.
Kariithi said; “Malunga is respected for combining editorial integrity with business sense. His move from journalist to executive shows his expertise in media and leadership and highlights his role in advancing the digital transformation of South Africa’s media.”