The public of KwaZulu-Natal unanimously voted and crowned South African “Golden Boy” and swimming sensation Chad Le Clos as the KZN Newsmaker of the Year 2013.
The Olympic gold medallist was crowned the winner at the Newsmaker of the Year 2013 red carpet gala dinner held at the Durban City Hall, last night (October, 09, 2013).
Le Clos was in Moscow at the FINA World Cup at the time of announcement. Receiving the award on his behalf was his father Bert Le Clos. He said his son is “extremely honoured” to have been voted KZN Newsmaker of the Year 2013. “Had he been here, he certainly would have accepted it personally. He loves what he does and he is passionate about doing all he can to promote his swimming. We thank the voting public for choosing him as their winner and the organisers for initiating this prestigious Award,” he said.
Public voting for the 2013 award began in early June (2013). The competition seeks to identify KZN-linked individuals or events that most grabbed the headlines and shaped the news. The event, hosted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in association with the eThekwini Municipality, this year saw a mix of sporting and political individuals and events nominated for the coveted award. The public voted for their favourite newsmaker by sending an SMS to 34382.
The candidates for the 2013 Newsmaker of the Year were:
* Chad le Clos – 2012 Olympic gold medalist;
* The KZN response to storms havoc;
* The World-class economic summit (BRICS); and soccer tournament (AFCON) – hosted by Durban and KZN;
* The KZN road to Mangaung – ANC president Jacob Zuma’s re-election.
DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal , Professor Ahmed Bawa said yesterday was about celebrating journalists who write the news. He said journalism students are the next generation of journalists and editors, saying they are extremely important to any democracy. “We celebrate the DUT Journalism Advisory Board. In this case (establishing the Newsmaker of the Year awards) , they went beyond their point of call. We also celebrate our city. We see ourselves (DUT) as a key role player in the city. We salute the city for allowing us (DUT) to play a fundamental part in it,” said Prof Bawa.
Mary Papayya, DUT Journalism Advisory Board Chairman and Newsmaker of the Year Convenor, said Le Clos was “the People’s Choice”, wishing him well in Moscow.
“Congratulations to Chad Le Clos. He received the lion’s share of the public votes. We thank our voting public for their participation and all in the media who support this event every year. Special gratitude goes to the judges who served with me on the independent judging panel. Proceeds from this event go towards a bursary for studies in journalism at DUT,” she said.
Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT paid tribute to the public and DUT stakeholders for supporting the event. “This initiative is about recognising those individuals and events that have put our province on the map. It is a success platform for DUT and our province,” he said.
Thabo Mofokeng, eThekwini Municipality spokesman said the City is proud to be part of an initiative that places a positive focus on the City and province. “This event is about the individuals and events that matter to the consumers of the media. It is an opportunity for the public to add their voices to who matters most to them. Congratulations to the winner and finalists,” he said.
– Sinegugu Ndlovu
Pictured: An extremely proud Bert Le Clos savours the sweet taste of victory on behalf of his son, Chad Le Clos, who was crowned Newsmaker of the Year 2013 during last night’s gala dinner at the Durban City Hall. Le Clos junior was in Moscow at the FINA World Cup at the time of announcement. From left: Le Clos senior lifting a handmade Siyazama doll which was given to him as a trophy for his son (Chad), DUT Vice-Chancellor Prof Ahmed Bawa and Mary Papaya; DUT Journalism Advisory Board Chairman and Newsmaker of the Year Convenor
Picture by: Joshua Africa Jordan
