By Staff Reporter
CAPE TOWN
They came from all over Africa and the world. They are the cream of African journalism. The scene of this story’s setting is a prestigious hotel near Table Bay along some of the finest coastline of South Africa, and the occasion – the CNN Multi-Choice African Journalist awards.
Some of Africa’s very best journalists gathered here to witness one of their own being crowned African Journalist of the Year and to celebrate excellence.
And when all was set and done, Ugandan journalist Richard Kavuma got the top honour.
Kavuma works for The Weekly Observer in Kampala. He won for his series of articles “to assess the country’s performance on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”. His work was chosen from among 1670 entries from 40 countries in Africa.
He was one of the 26 finalists at a glittering ceremony on Saturday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Some of CCN’s best – Jonathan Mann, Femi Oke and its Executive Vice President Tony Maddox – attended the prestigious event as well as its partner Multi-Choice, which was represented by its Chief Executive Officer for South Africa Nolo Letele and Multi-Choice Africa Chief Executive Eben Greyling.
Kavuma won the print category of the MKO Abiola Journalist Award. A clearly humbled Kavuma was almost short of words when he accepted the award.
“In accepting this award, I dedicate it to my colleagues at The Weekly Observer in Uganda, and to my fellow journalists in Africa. This is in recognition for journalism that strives to put people at the forefront. With this award, I give my renewed dedication to act as a voice for the voiceless.”
Apart from the award, Kavuma will receive a substantial cash prize, a visit to the CNN Centre in Atlanta, USA, a laptop computer, modem and printer.
Chairperson of the judging panel Joel Kabizo said: “This was a truly impressive body of work. One the judges felt it encapsulated many of the development issues and challenges that Africa continues to face today.”
Other categories were Television General News Award, Radio General News Award, Arts and Culture, MSD and Medical Award, Print Media Award, Best Feature, Economics and Business Award, Environment Award, Francophone General News Award (Print, TV/Radio) Free Press Award, Sport Award, Photographic Award and Portuguese Language General News Award.
Among the winners in these categories were journalists from Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and Zambia.