OFM journalist scoops prestigious national award

Christal-Lize Muller

Christal-Lize conducted an exclusive interview with Pierre's wife Yolandé, making the best use of her journalistic skills. The interview has not only netted her one of the most sought-after journalistic awards in the country, but also a well-deserved R10,000 prize.

"It's a wonderful feeling! It's only hard work that is now being rewarded; support from colleagues, endurance and working long evenings talking to sources. I should also mention Imtiaz Sooliman from Gift of the Givers, who keeps us up to date with Pierre Korkie's situation. This is a huge honour and I am thrilled to bring back the award to Bloemfontein and to OFM in particular," says Christal-Lize.

Christal-Lize started her career as a journalist at the Potch Herald community newspaper almost a decade ago. From Potchefstroom she went to Mpumlanga where she worked as a television and radio journalist for the SABC, before trading her journalistic career for a corporate one. After working as communication officer for Anglo Platinum and PRO for an auction company in Cape Town, she returned to Bloemfontein to pursue her first love, journalism. After two years at Volksblad, she joined OFM as senior journalist.

Says General Manager Nick Efstathiou: "We are all extremely proud of Christal-Lize. Her hard work and dedication has yielded rewards and we share her joy. We look forward to many more high quality news stories from this enthusiastic and driven journalist."

The Vodacom Journalist of the Year award seeks to acknowledge journalists who have shown exceptional commitment to reporting excellence across media platforms.