The annual Caxton Awards celebrated its journalistic, sales, managerial and administrative talent from its local community newspapers on the 25th anniversary of the event.
“It’s fantastic to see that the commitment for local newspaper excellence continues to grow over the last 25 years as is evidenced by the 1300 entries received this year,” said Gill Randall, joint MD of NAB (Newspaper Advertising Bureau), stressing the importance of the awards.
Some of the most anticipated awards of the night included the Most Promising Newspaper Journalist of the Year, awarded to Nokuthula Ntuli of North Coast Courier; Best Get It Magazine of the Year went to Get It Jhb North; Field Salesperson of the Year was awarded to Marelize Greeff of Bloemfontein Courant and Newspaper Journalist of the Year was awarded to Daleen Naude of the Middelburg Observer.
Best Free Newspaper (more than 24 pages) went to Berea Mail, edited by Wanda Daly and the Best Sold Newspaper (with circulation exceeding 8000) went to The Lowvelder, edited by Irma Green. The Lowvelder had a particularly successful evening walking away with multiple awards.
“Mirroring the growth of Caxton itself, from small beginnings the awards have grown into the spectacular event they are today. A key spinoff has been the improvement in excellence across the board. Well done to all our winners, we’re very proud of you,” said CEO of Caxton’s Local Newspapers Bruce Sturgeon.
“Equally important however is that it’s crucial that each local newspaper knows its community well and reflects that through its editorial and advertising content. That is the key ingredient of what makes our local papers so well read and supported. Well done to all the winners.”
Other awards included:
· Ad Designer of the Year: Anton de Waal of the Zululand Observer
· Best Headline writing: Mark Kinnear of The Lowvelder
· Best Investigative journalist: Irma Green of The Lowvelder with her investigation: “Uncovering a Conman”
· The Best LookLocal site: The Lowvelder
· Best Free Newspaper, less than 24 pages: Steelburger, edited by Christopher de Wet
· Best Sold Newspaper, circulation less than 8 000: Mid South Coast Mail, edited by Bevis Fairbrother
· Best Portrait photograph: Clive Dorrington of Witbank News with “Bad Santa”
· Best Sports photograph: Ettiene van Rensburg of Vaalweekblad with “Eye of the Tiger
