CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, December 5, 2013/ *– *South African financial
services group Sanlam (http://www.sanlam.co.za) announced today that it had
opened its prestigious financial journalism awards to reporters across
Africa for the first time. The group aims to recognise and celebrate the
contribution journalists across the continent are making towards the
African growth story. The Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial
Journalism have been rewarding exceptional reporting in South Africa since
1974.
Through a newly introduced award, Sanlam will award outstanding, in-depth
reporting that highlights and contributes towards the economic rise of the
continent. News value, rigour in reporting, originality, impact and
storytelling are among the criteria that will be used in the judging of the
‘African Growth Story’ award. The category is open to journalists from
across the continent who work for African media vehicles (i.e. print, TV,
radio or online media that are based in Africa and are targeted at African
audiences).
Established 96 years ago, Sanlam is a JSE-listed South African financial
services group which has expanded steadily across the African continent. It
now boasts one of the largest African footprints of any South African
financial services group with a presence in 10 countries in Africa – over
and above South Africa – namely Kenya, Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda,
Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania.
Dr Johan van Zyl, chief executive officer of Cape Town-headquartered
Sanlam, says the group is delighted to extend the invitation to journalists
across Africa. “Our own growth story has made us very aware of the amazing
journey that the continent is on. We believe in the potential of Africa,
and in the contribution good journalism is making towards unlocking this
potential and are therefore delighted to use these awards as a vehicle to
honour outstanding reporting.”
The special category will recognise reporting that specifically covers and
highlights the African growth story, and that deals with the economic
awakening and rise of the continent as a whole in a meaningful, effective
way. Stories should focus on the growth of the continent in terms of
investments, infrastructural development, economic and monetary policies
and related issues and challenges. Stories can be presented from a
particular country’s perspective, but should pertain to issues which have
broader relevance for the continent.
The Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism are judged by an
independent panel of judges, which includes media experts, an academic and
an economist. Journalists interested in submitting their work can do so
online at http://www.sanlam.co.za/journoawards, where full details can be
found.