Kenyan scoops CNN top journalist award

Tanzania President Dr Jakaya Kikwete speaks at the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2014

KENYAN journalist Joseph Mathenge was awarded the top prize at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Awards Ceremony. Mathenge was awarded the overall ‘CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year’ Award for his work ‘Images of Terror’, which appeared in Kenyan daily print newspaper The Standard and was chosen from entries spanning 38 nations across the African continent.

The work documents the moments of terror experienced by Westgate Mall shoppers in Kenya, when the mall was attacked by unidentified gunmen in September 2013.

Mathenge said, “It’s a great honour, and I’m humbled to receive this award. All finalists who are here deserve this award. I hope it will motivate men, women and children of good will all over the world to fight terrorism. Memories fade with time, but pictures don’t. We felt it necessary to capture each and every moment so that generations to come may see the horror.”

Chairperson of the judging panel, Ferial Haffajee, said: “Joseph Mathenge’s photographs so eloquently captured one of Africa’s toughest 21st Century moments that they were worth a thousand words. That said, the quality of all the winners’ works made the contest a tightly run one.”

Mathenge, winner in the Mohamed Amin Photography category, was among 28 finalists from 10 countries who attended the Awards ceremony as the culmination of a four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking, and sightseeing. Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “Congratulations to all the 2014 winners, we are proud to recognise your excellence in journalism and to reward you for your courage in telling stories that would have otherwise remained untold.

We believe the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards has had a profound effect on the African media landscape and as MultiChoice Africa we remain committed to recognising excellence in journalism throughout Africa. We applaud all the nominees and winners for contributing to Africa’s growth and success.”

Multichoice Zimbabwe Public Relations Manager, Liz Dziva had this to say: “Although no Zimbabwean journalists were this year honoured with awards in this prestigious competition, we are pleased that a large amount of Zimbabwean work was considered by the panel of judges in their deliberations. It was also pleasing that some Zimbabwean journalists were able to travel to Dar Es Salaam for the ceremony and that the journalists were associated with a celebration of excellence in journalism across the African continent. We in MultiChoice Zimbabwe support these and other efforts to uplift journalism standards and to provide support to journalists in their important work.”

Now in its 19th year, the Awards are supported by a range of prestigious sponsors: Coca-Cola; Ecobank; GE Africa; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media. The overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 wins a substantial cash prize, and a visit to CNN Centre in Atlanta, to attend the three week CNN Journalism Fellowship. All finalists receive a cash prize, and iPad Air, with runner-ups receiving an iPad mini. — Own Correspondent