Standard journalists scoop awards

Standard reporters upstaged fellow journalists in both the private and public media at the colourful ceremony to honour excellence in the media profession. "Ever since we rebranded The Standard in November 2010, the newspaper has brought a breath of fresh air on the newspaper scene," Standard editor Nevanji Madanhire said, commenting on the achievement.

"Discerning readers have warmed up to our fresh new look and our engaging analysis of the issues that continue to vex our society," he continued.

"This has seen the newspaper treble in copy sales to around 30 000 every week in just under a year. Considering that statistics say eight people read each copy of the newspaper, 240 000 people read The Standard every week."

Deputy sports editor, Fanuel Viriri, walked away with the Sports Reporter of the Year award. The category was won by the paper last year. Viriri is an award-winning sports journalist having won the same award twice in the past.

Viriri was commended by the judges for highlighting the sad plight of sportspersons when they retire. His winning article was on the four-time Commonwealth boxing champion Langton "Schoolboy" Tinago's fall from grace, headlined 'Tragic sight of boxing's 'dancing master''.

Senior reporter, Nqaba Matshazi won the Child Reporter of the Year award for his story on nestling babies in prisons because their mothers were convicts.

Online journalist, John Mokwetsi was the winner in the Information and Communication Technology category. Senior business reporter, Ndamu Sandu walked away with the Insurance Reporter of the Year award.

Before this award, Sandu had won the Business Reporter of the Year award in 2009.

Life&Style editor, Godwin Muzari was the runner-up in the Arts and Entertainment Reporter of the Year category. Muzari won the category last year. This year the category was dominated by stories published in The Standard.

Nkululeko Sibanda won the category for his story carried by The Standard before he left to pursue other interests. His winning entry was on Bulawayo artist Owen Maseko's trials and tribulations in highlighting Gukurahundi through art.

In August, Chipo Masara, another Standard journalist was winner of the Rainbow Tourism Group Environment Reporter of the first quarter of 2011 award.

Source: allAfrica.com