Winners of Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism

Moneyweb editor and RSG Geldsake radio news presenter, Mr Ryk van Niekerk, has won the 2024 Sanlam Group Financial Journalist of the Year Award which was presented at a gala in Johannesburg celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the awards.  With over 25 years’ experience in economic, political, business and consumer financial reporting, Van Niekerk was recognised by the independent panel of judges for his journalistic rigour, commitment to transparency and consumer financial education.

An ardent contestant, over the years Van Niekerk has won several awards across the categories in the awards, including the ESG and Consumer categories. He is known for his incisive journalism, sharp economic commentary, and ability to translate complex financial issues into understandable information for professionals and the public. He has exposed the fault lines in South Africa’s financial and industrial systems. His reporting—ranging from the underground trade in illegal livestock vaccines to the liquidation battle at Xodus Gold—have informed the public and triggered regulatory scrutiny and sector-wide reflection.

Judging panel chairperson, Nixon Kariithi, said Van Niekerk’s work probes the underbelly of South African finance and governance, persistently engaging with systemic challenges and opportunities in South Africa’s financial and industrial landscape. “His reporting generates public debate, regulatory attention, and direct responses from implicated entities. His work exemplifies how media can serve as an accountability mechanism where formal oversight is weak or delayed,” said Kariithi.

In addition to the financial journalist of the year prize, the other main awards were the African Growth Story Award, Best Newcomer and Lifetime Achiever. The African Growth Story Award is open to financial journalists across Africa who report on trade and investment news. Entries must address Africa’s growth in investments, infrastructure or economic development.

This year the award went to Mr Mahamadi Sebogo (of Sidwaya, Burkina Faso) who, in 2023, earned third prize in the category. Sebogo is a Burkinabè journalist and Head of the Economy and Finance Desk at Sidwaya. “His work,” said Kariithi, “exemplifies the power of journalism to illuminate complex economic issues and amplify underrepresented voices in West Africa’s development narrative.”

The Best newcomer prize went to Mr Deogratius Wamala (Daily Monitor, Uganda) whose work focuses on how policy and innovation shape Uganda’s economy. “Wamala is of that new generation of African financial journalists, combining technical expertise with strong storytelling to explain complex economic developments in Uganda and beyond,” said Kariithi.

Mr Mzimkulu Malunga was awarded the Lifetime Achiever accolade. The Lifetime Achiever Award honours individuals for significant, long-term contributions to financial journalism in Africa. It recognises those whose work has advanced the profession, promoted economic development, informed the public, and upheld media integrity.

Malunga is a South African media executive, journalist, and business strategist with over 34 years of experience in the media industry. He started as a junior reporter at the Weekly Mail (now Mail & Guardian) in 1988, joined the Sowetan in 1992 as a business reporter and became its business editor. He was Group CEO of Arena Holdings, which owns Sunday Times, Business Day, Financial Mail, and other major South African titles.

Kariithi said, “Malunga is respected for combining editorial integrity with business sense. His move from journalist to executive shows his expertise in media and leadership and highlights his role in advancing the digital transformation of South Africa’s media.”

The judging panel featured a diverse group of professionals from across the continent, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise. Chairing the panel, Kariithi was joined by Ms Angela Agoawike, a seasoned media practitioner from Nigeria; Ms Emily May Brown, a respected media studies academic from Namibia; Mr Freddie Rayborn Bulley, a renowned financial journalism trainer from Ghana; Prof Ylva Rodny Gumede, a distinguished media studies and international relations scholar from South Africa; Mr Tom Indimuli, a communications consultant from Kenya with insights into the African media landscape; Mr Ulrich Joubert, an independent economist from South Africa, contributed his analytical expertise; Ms Aggie Asiimwe Konde, a chartered marketer, CIM Fellow and ESG advisor from Uganda; offered her experience in sustainable business practices; Ms Lizeka Mda, a former news editor and media trainer based in South Africa; and Mr Musa Zondi, a communications consultant , whose knowledge spans academia and industry.

The panel benefitted greatly from retired news editor Charles Naudé from South Africa, who passed away weeks after the final round of judging the awards. Naude served as a member of the independent judging panel for 13 years with distinction, including standing in as chairperson during his service.

This dedicated group of judges played a pivotal role in evaluating the entries with professionalism and integrity.

The full list of winners and runners-up are:

The Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism were established in 1974 and are this year celebrating their 50^th anniversary. They reward excellence in financial journalism across the African continent. Co-sponsored with Santam, South Africa’s largest short-term insurer, from 2023, this year’s awards attracted the highest number ever of entries with 237 from 17 countries.