Scholtemeyer has increased the number of titles in the company portfolio from 16 to an impressive 65 within a mere seven years.
Colleen Lowe Morna, executive director of Gender Links and chairperson of the Gender and Media Southern Africa Network, was announced as a worthy finalist to Scholtemeyer. Celebrating a career strewn with highlights, Lowe Morna is now making a meaningful impact in promoting gender equality in and through the media. As a trainer, researcher and writer, Lowe Morna has written extensively on gender issues in Southern Africa and is author of several publications and articles on gender in the media.
Siki Mgabadeli was presented with the Vodacom Rising Star Award - an accolade that applauds the efforts of a woman under the age of 30 who is already making an impact in the media. Mgabadeli has achieved career success that belies her 28 years. As the editor of SABC Television's business and economics desk, Mgabadeli is responsible for managing a team of 14 journalists and producers. In addition, she is the anchor on five television and radio programs.
Veteran journalist Joyce Sikhakhane, who cut short her overseas trip in order to attend the event, was the worthy recipient of the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging her substantial contribution to the industry. Self-taught, Sikhakhane not only had to overcome the challenges of operating in a traditionally patriarchal industry, but she also had to rise above the tyranny of the apartheid regime. Now retired, Sikhakhane has played an influential role in the history of the South African media, inspiring a generation through the courage of her writing.
Established as an initiative of The Media magazine, the annual competition seeks to recognise exceptional women who have made their mark within the media sphere. Vodacom sponsored the award for the first time this year.
Commented Dot Field, chief communications officer for the Vodacom Group, “Our country's media is considerably strengthened by the many dynamic women whose voices bring depth and substance to the dialogues that occur across print, electronic and online media platforms.”
Past winners include Ferial Haffajee (2006), editor-in-chief of the Mail & Guardian and Libby Lloyd (2005), then CEO of the Media Development and Diversity Agency.
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