LAUNCH: KZN NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR 2011
The people of KwaZulu-Natal are invited to vote for their top KZN Newsmaker of the Year 2011. The KZN Newsmaker of the Year was launched in the province today and seeks to identify any KZN-linked individuals or events that made the headlines and most shaped the news between June 2010 and June 2011.
The inaugural event, hosted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT), is an initiative of the DUT Journalism Advisory Board, and the The Newsmaker of the year 2011 will be crowned at an invitation-only gala dinner to be hosted at DUT on Thursday, 17 November.
The candidates for the 2011 KZN Newsmaker of the Year are:
• Hashim Amla, star batsman at the 2010 Cricket Word Cup and acting captain of the national one-day cricket team.
• National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele;
• The 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the arrival of the Indians in KZN in 1860;
• The Moses Mabhida Stadium & 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The public can vote for their chosen newsmaker by sending an SMS to 34382. Each SMS costs R2. Select ONE option from the 4 nominees:
SMS 1 for Moses Mabhida Stadium and the 2010 Soccer World Cup in KZN;
SMS 2 for 1860 Celebrations to mark 150 years since the arrival of Indians in SA;
SMS 3 for Hashim Amla;
SMS 4 for National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele.
DUT Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Ahmed Bawa said the initiative was a forerunner to the institution’s campaign to support and promote free speech and dialogue. “The Durban University of Technology has a proud history of promoting debate and dialogue,” he said. Bawa added, “Our province plays a vital role in adding to the news agenda and DUT is honoured to recognize and host the KZN Newsmaker of the Year.”
DUT Advisory Board Chairperson Mary Papayya, a veteran media freedom campaigner, said the event presented a wonderful opportunity for KwaZulu-Natalians to participate in the media industry by deciding which KZN linked person or event most gripped the attention of the public.
“Through public participation, this important initiative also casts the public spotlight on the media and journalism in KZN, which is why it has been launched in October – the month that is traditionally set aside by the SA media fraternity to celebrate, commemorate and campaign for Media Freedom. This is particularly pertinent at present given the growing lobby of opposition to the threat to the right to know that is inherent in the proposed Protection of Information (POI) Bill, along with renewed calls for a halt of all transgressions both overt and covert against the media,” said Papayya.
The DUT Journalism Advisory Board comprises key community, media, public and private sector communication leaders.
For media queries contact:
Ms. Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Communications Manager
Durban University of Technology
Office: 031 373 2899
E-mail: raylene@dut.ac.za
For comment contact:
Ms. Mary B. Papayya
Chairperson: DUT Journalism Advisory Board
Mobile: 082 3794957