Group Editors Shine at AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards

GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Group Editors raked in nine top accolades at the Avbob Forum for Community Journalists Excellence Awards 2022 at the Cape Sun in Cape Town on Friday evening, 4 August.

The highly sought-after national FCJ Excellence Awards rewards the very best of journalism, photography and design at community newspapers countrywide. At 527, the individual entries had doubled from last year.

Hugo Redelinghuys, editor of Suid-Kaap Forum, took second place in the sport writer category and his sport photographs were highly commended. Hugo is also a founder member of the Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ).

Group Editors' staff members are also proud of Blake Linder, news editor of Knysna-Plett Herald, and journalist Kristy Kolberg of George Herald who each scooped a first place - Kolberg for best headline writing, while Linder took the top spot in the sport writer category.

Best paper

Adding to Linder's individual first prize, Knysna-Plett Herald was named the country's best newspaper in the sold category for community newspapers with a circulation under 5 000. Credit also goes to Periëtte Nel (Senior Graphic Designer & Layout Artist), the lady who gives birth to the vision of the Knysna-Plett Herald editorial team with her impressive design talents.

Periëtte, who also worked as a designer for Suid-Kaap Forum, still designs the paper from the Group Editors head office in George.

Suid-Kaap Forum was also a top ten finalist for best designed front pages.

George Herald, under the leadership of editor Lizette da Silva, was awarded a third place in the highly competitive category for sold newspaper with a circulation of over 5 000 copies.

Columns and digital

Eugene Gunning of George Herald impressed with his insightful and touching columns and bagged third place.

Alet Engelbrecht, previously of Mossel Bay Advertiser, and Jannie du Plessis, also of the Advertiser, were both nominated in the best digital reporter category.

Servaas de Kock smiles

Group Editors operations director Servaas de Kock is extremely proud of his team. "Walking away with numerous accolades is incredibly heartwarming.

"I feel immense pride in our individual winners, yet I am fully aware that this achievement is a team effort.

"Thank you for all the hard work behind the scenes in creating our excellent printed and digital products. It is great to see that we are bench-marking against the finest local media brands in the country."

FCJ executive director Marietta Lombard said that Avbob's financial support allowed the FCJ to further enrich its offering.

"This support enabled the forum to re-introduce the industry to the 'No Guts, No Glory' regional seminars - the Western Cape will host its seminar soon.

"The forum has been able to contribute significantly to the upliftment of community journalism simply because of the trust in the work done by the forum and community journalists."

Community journalism is key

In his address, Avbob CEO Carl van der Riet said Avbob is deeply rooted in the communities in which they operate. "This is reflected in our support for community journalism. We applaud the work you do to keep our communities informed. Your work is an essential contribution to the building of a transparent and free society," he said.

The forum hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner with guest speakers Max du Preez and Press Council Executive Director, Latiefa Mobara.

Showing off Group Editors' multiple awards are, back from left: Periëtte Nel, Louise Karsten, Servaas de Kock, Eugene Gunning, Jannie du Plessis and Ilse Schoonraad. In front are Lizette da Silva, Kristy Kolberg and Hugo Redelinghuys.