Caxtonites’ lights once again shone brightly at the annual Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards on Friday.

The competition celebrates the value of community newspapers and the skills and talent in the local media industry. Hosted by the Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ), the 2023 awards ceremony was held at @Sandton Hotel.

Daleen Naudé from Caxton’s Middelburg Observer clinched the Journalist of the Year award, while Caxton colleague Wayne van der Walt of Highvelder held on to his Photographer of the Year title for the second consecutive year.

Mention must also be made of Middelburg Observer’s Matthew Handley, who walked away with the Alet Roux Trophy for Most Promising Journalist.

Several Caxton newspapers excelled, including Zululand Observer, Highvelder, and Lowvelder.

Exciting new categories were introduced to the 2023 competition, and more than 500 entries were received.

Participants’ exemplary work was showcased across various categories, with front pages, the newly introduced back pages category, free newspaper of the year, and compelling human-interest reportage dominating the entries.

The dedication and talent displayed in the various writing and photography categories highlighted the skill and diversity of community journalism in South Africa.

The panel of judges, led by André Gouws, comprised seasoned industry professionals, including Bruce Stephenson, Jacolette Kloppers, Alé Steyn, Tobie van den Bergh, Elsabe Retief, Kyle Cowan, Buks Viljoen, Jana Smit, Dewet Potgieter, Willem Kempen, Johann Maarman, Mercy Kannemeyer, Marlene Malan, Pieter Delport, Virginia Klopper, Colin Hoffman, Johann Gresse, Cornia Pretorius, Yolanda van der Stoep, Mlungizi Louw, and Roger Sedres.

Winners:

Journalist of the Year 

Third: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)

Second: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)

Winner: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer) 

Photographer of the Year

Third: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)

Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)

Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)

Alet Roux Award for Upcoming Journalist of the Year

Winner: Matthew Handley (Middelburg Observer) 

Photography

General 

Third place: Carina Roux (TygerBurger)

Second place: Gypseenia Lion (Bloemfontein Courant)

Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)

News

Third: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)

Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)

Winner: Jamey Gordon (District Mail & Helderberg Gazette)

Sport

Third: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)

Second: Rashied Isaacs (People’s Post)

Winner: Wayne van der Walt (Highvelder)

Writing categories: 

Editorial comments & columns

Third: Nielen de Klerk (TygerBurger)

Second: Lise Beyers (Paarl Post)

Winner: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)

Digital reporting

Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad / Ster North)

Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)

Winner: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)

Headlines

Third: Liezl Scheepers (Parys Gazette)

Second: Samantha Lee-Jacobs (People’s Post)

Winner: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)

Human interest

Third: Jani de Beer (Benoni City Times)

Second: Wouter Pienaar (Potchefstroom Herald)

Winner: Esmé Erasmus (TygerBurger)

Hard news

Third: Michelle Pienaar (George Herald)

Second: Gerhard Rheeder (Middelburg Observer)

Winner: Dave Savides (Zululand Observer)

Investigative reporting

Third: Christiaan Cloete (Vaalweekblad / Ster North)

Second: Daleen Naudé (Middelburg Observer)

Winner: Anton Van Zyl (Limpopo Mirror & Zoutpansberger)

Sport

Third: Mark Kinnear (Lowvelder)

Second: Ettienne van Rensburg (Vaalweekblad)

Winner: Hugo Redelinghuys (Suid-Kaap Forum)

Best Front Page

Third: Bedfordview and Edenvale News

Second: TygerBurger Table View

Winner: City Vision

Best Back Page

Third: Zululand Observer

Second: Lowvelder

Winner: George Herald

Free Newspaper of the Year

Third: TygerBurger Milnerton

Second: Roodepoort Northsider

Winner: NoordkaapBulletin

Paid Newspaper of the Year

Third: Suid-Kaap Forum

Second: Lowvelder

Winner: Zululand Observer

According to a media statement issued by the FCJ, the financial investment by Avbob in the FCJ and the ongoing support from Caxton and Media24 enabled the FCJ to further enrich its offering and support to community journalists. This support led to the introduction of new categories, including the best vernacular writing category, in which Bulelani Matshoba from Pondoland Times and Unathi Obose from City Vision each received certificates of merit.

In his address, Avbob CEO Carl van der Riet, said: “Our support for these Avbob FCJ Excellence Awards stems from a shared purpose – we both believe in the power of community. We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve, and we see community journalism as a vital source of information and empowerment.

“As a business, we stand ready to continue our support to community media – as one of the platforms to reach communities – in order to preserve a vibrant, diverse and independent press. Tonight, we are celebrating brave and exceptional journalism! To all the nominees and winners, a heartfelt congratulations. The stories you tell matter, your voices matter, and your impact is undeniable.”

The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner, with guest speakers Mondli Makhanya, the editor-in-chief of City Press; and Willem Kempen and Cornia Pretorius, who spoke about artificial intelligence and community journalism.