Johannesburg: South African award-winning journalist, Benjamin Moshatama, has stressed the need for journalists to focus on positive stories that showcase progress and development in Africa, even as the continent grapples with several challenges. Moshatama’s work on the significance of shared water resources in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional integration and development, along with the Kingdom of Lesotho’s contributions, secured him the second prize in the Radio Category at the SADC Media Awards Competition.
According to South African Government News Agency, Moshatama expressed his inspiration for creating a story that highlights Africa’s progress. He noted that while it’s essential for journalists to cover the challenges faced by the continent, the narrative should not be one-sided. “Africa is a complex place. There are positive things happening on the continent and a lot of progress is being made, that is why it was important to tell the story,” Moshatama remarked in an interview
with Channel Africa Radio.
The SADC Media Awards aim to promote excellence across various journalism fields, including Print, Radio, Television, and Photojournalism. They serve as a bridge for coordination between SADC member states and media, fostering partnerships between media and government institutions. These awards provide a platform for recognition and celebration of journalists within the SADC region.
Moshatama expressed his pride in representing South Africa on a regional level, emphasizing the importance of showcasing cooperative governance structures in the region. Two South African journalists were recognized in the Radio and Photo categories, respectively. Fikile Necter Marakalla won second prize in the Photo Category for her work published in SAnews and The Diplomatic Informer, capturing the strong relations between South Africa and Tanzania during a state visit by Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Marakalla, who began her career as an intern at the Government Communication and Information Systems (GC
IS) in 2022, expressed her honor at being recognized early in her career. Now working in the office of the Deputy President as a photographer, she looks forward to capturing government efforts to improve South Africans’ lives.
South Africa’s involvement in SADC is guided by the SADC Treaty, which encourages regional collaboration in economic, social, and cultural development. The GCIS implements the annual SADC Media Awards on behalf of South Africa. Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenneth Morolong urged media practitioners to convey stories about the continent’s economic wellbeing, improvements in living standards, peace and security, and social justice. Addressing the SADC Media Awards Dinner, Morolong highlighted the awards as a testament to hope’s power in driving further regional success. “The potential for our region is enormous,” he stated.