Cremè de la cremè in media
To be recognised nationally is no joke. Despite not placing first, it's something we can be proud of and others can aspire to.
Commentary by Nicole Collett
Amazingly African: A description of those privileged enough to live on our beautiful continent.
This was the theme of the 26th Annual Caxton Awards held at the Johannesburg Civic Centre on March 19.
Going up against the best of the best from more than 100 newspapers, we couldn’t exactly get our hopes up. The odds were against pretty much everyone!
We arrived at a grand awards ceremony shorty after 5pm and were greeted by what looked like a foyer packed with ‘millions’ of people.
As a first-timer at the biggest Caxton event of the year, I was overwhelmed by the number of media moguls who seemed indifferent to their own rock star reputations.
Our entertainment for the evening was first class. A marimba band had the masses on their feet – mostly because they were getting in line to grab handfuls and ‘handbagfuls’ of the delicious African treats. Caxton spared no expense; The Soweto Gospel Choir, Gangs of Ballet, Ashlinn Gray and Johnny Apple (who will be opening for One Direction) graced the stage later that evening, giving guests so much more to be excited about.
Making our way down to our seats at around 6pm, the Newcastle Advertiser team was in good spirits. We knew the portfolios we’d submitted were up to scratch.
In each category, the finalists were announced. Thereafter, a select few were awarded a Highly Commended certificate as runners-up to the big winners. With R245 000 in prize money up for grabs, it comes as no surprise everyone wanted to win their fair share.
Although the Advertiser team didn’t hit the big time, Elize van Tonder and I received Highly Commended awards.
Elize’s hard news photo, ‘Dragging Death’, left the audience with goosebumps as it popped up on the screen. The team is proud to have such an amazing photographer on board!
I was runner-up in the Most Promising Journalist of the Year category – and man, what a feeling!
Renè du Plessis and team made it to the finals in the Minor Feature category for their ‘Stop Smoking in an Hour’ entry, but unfortunately, it wasn’t their year.
To be recognised nationally is no joke. Despite not placing first, it’s something we can be proud of and others can aspire to.
2015 is going be a game changer for the Newcastle Advertiser team and we look forward to sharing our ups and downs with you. Let’s make this year the best one yet!
The Newcastle Advertiser congratulates all winners and nominees in their respective categories. “We are especially proud of Nicole and Elize, and look forward to a bigger and better 2015,” concluded Editor, Reveshni Douglas.
