Finalists for the prestigious 2011 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist awards have converged in Johannesburg for the awards ceremony that takes place on Saturday night.
The competition which is now in its 16th year has finalists from Ghana, Benin, Mauritius, Kenya 2, Sao Tome, South Africa, Egypt, Somalia, Uganda, Mozambique, Nigeria and Angola.
No Zimbabwean journalist made it to the final. Joel Kibazo chairperson of the judging panel said:
“African journalists are becoming noticeably more challenging, showing greater courage and strength which would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Entries this year have demonstrated this – bolder, more determined on their home patch and with a new found zeal to cover countries beyond their own borders.”
The hosts for the evening will be Isha Sesay, presenter of CNN International’s weekly programme Inside Africa and Robert Marawa, the face of one of DStv’s Super Sport channel and regular host of Metro FM’s Discovery Sports Centre.
This year, the competition will recognise excellence in categories which include Arts and Culture Award; Digital Journalism Award; Economics and Business Award, Environment Award; Free Press Africa Award; HIV/Aids Reporting Award; Mohamed Amin Photographic Award; MSD Health and Medical Award; Print General News Award; Radio General News Award; Sport Award; Television Features Award; Television News Bulletin Award; Tourism Award; Francophone General News Awards; and the Portuguese Language General News Award.
All finalists will receive cash prizes and each category winner will also receive a laptop and printer.
The CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011 will receive an additional cash prize and a trip to CNN Centre in Atlanta.
