Caxton journos represent at national awards
“Our community is at the heart of what we do.”
Laughter and chatter could be heard throughout the @Sandon Hotel on August 2 when community journalists from across SA took their seats, eagerly waiting for the announcement of the winners of the Avbob Forum for Community Journalists (FCJ) Excellence Awards.
Journalists from Caxton Local Media and Media24 diligently set to work, ensuring they submitted their entries before the May 3 deadline.
The awards received more than 500 entries this year, with 69 for human interest and 36 for sport.
Rigorously judged by a panel of 24 judges, Benoni City Times’ senior journalist Jani de Beer and sports journalist Lebohang Pita were selected as the top 10 finalists in their respective categories – human interest writing and sports writing.
“To make this list is inspiring,” said Pita, who impressed the judges for the second consecutive year.
Applause erupted at the announcement of the top three in eight writing categories.
With a broad smile and shaking legs, De Beer took to the stage to accept her award from Caxton and the CTP group executive, Rob Fedder.
She took third place in the human interest category and was among the top five selected for the Alet Roux Award for young journalist of the year.
“What an experience. It is an honour being in a room with so many talented journalists. To be an FCJ finalist is a privilege, and then being awarded for the work we do as community journalists is the cherry on top.”
Raising a glass, De Beer and Pita thanked the Benoni community for entrusting them with their stories, sharing their accolades and allowing them to shine a spotlight on their lives.
