NEWCASTLE: Charmaine Mazibuko scoops coveted ‘Most Promising Journalist’ award

The annual Caxton Excellence Awards highlights the cream of the crop in Caxton’s stable of community newspapers. 

This year, Northern KwaZulu-Natal managed to bring home two highly coveted awards and the Newcastle Advertiser placed among finalists for ‘Best Sold Newspaper of the Year’.

The Newcastle Advertiser’s Charmaine Mazibuko, who joined the dynamic team in 2019, walked away with the prestigious ‘Most Promising Journalist of the Year’ award, while Senior Investigative Journalist for NKZN, Estella Naicker won ‘Multimedia Journalist of the Year’.

Charmaine, who previously worked at the SABC and eNCA, said the win took her completely by surprise.

“I honestly never expected to win! I think I almost choked when my name was called and then it was instant tears. I phoned my mom and friend immediately. It’s just such a humbling feeling and this win has motivated me to work even harder!”

Charmaine thanked everyone who supported her and said she felt proud to have a strong support structure behind her.

“My mom is something out of this world! I could never repay her for her sacrifices. If I carry any strength and kindness in me, it’s all her! Her prayers continue to carry and protect me wherever I am.”

What you need to know about Charmaine

She describes herself as a shy person who smiles a lot and minds her own business.

“I enjoy doing my work and reading interesting articles online. I absolutely hate injustice and unfairness – that’s when I rise up strong! I am very protective of my friends and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for those I love.”

Charmaine was candid about the fact that while she could be lazy, she was also very self-motivated.

“I hate arguments unless it’s protecting my beliefs. I believe in humanity, respect for people and kindness; it takes nothing away from you to be kind.”

If she could travel anywhere in the world, Charmaine would love to visit Kenya.

“My heart has always nurtured a deep yearning for Kenya,” she confided. “I love their culture and how strong they are as a nation. I want to visit the homes of young women there and share their stories while also being a voice of hope. I am very passionate about anything that aims to uplift and grow young women.”

Charmaine’s favourites

Book – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. “It has such great life lessons about how to not give up in life, to appreciate what you have and the people you have in your life while they are still alive and to push through challenging times.”

Movie – Pearl Harbour. “I am a romantic at hear and I want to understand love and why people do the things they do. This movie really pulls my heart strings!”

Black Child Foundation – “I enjoy thinking of ways to uplift the community through various programmes.”

Charmaine also lists the following under her favourites:

“Reading about what’s happening in the world, listening to my son’s funny stories, catch-up conversations with my friends. visiting my current favourite person and having long talks about life, stars, the moon and everything under the sun!”

Her final message

“Things happen perfectly and at the right time, for our own good. Writing is almost like an art – you learn the more you write. I am inspired by the story I am writing at that particular time. I also think about how my colleague and mentor, Estella Naicker would put things on paper; I’m really inspired by how she is able to tell stories. While I doubt myself and my abilities constantly, understanding what we, as community journalists do, is worthwhile.”

Read the full article about Charmaine’s journey to community journalism, how many times she applied at the Newcastle Advertiser and her Caxton Award win in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser.

Contact us

WhatsApp: 082 874 5550

Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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