The boarding gate is open. After more than a month of rigorous adjudication across almost 600 entries by a panel of 22 judges, the Forum of Community Journalists is proud to announce that the finalists of the AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards for 2025 are cleared for departure.
The wait is over — so stow your carry-on, settle into your seat and enjoy the flight. Your destination: the prestigious prize-giving gala dinner at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on Friday, 21 August 2026.
This year sees many new names appearing for the first time, while several familiar faces return to the list once again.
“Entries in the AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards once again demonstrated the vital role that local newspapers continue to play in informing communities across the country,” says Dr André Gouws, senior lecturer in languages and cultural sciences at Akademia, and convening judge.
“We received almost 600 entries, and the adjudication panel was impressed by the authenticity, courage and compassion displayed by community journalists.”
Many adjudicators noted that the overall quality of work was exceptionally strong.
“We were particularly impressed with the work submitted in our new category, Municipal News and Local Government. Many entries tackled issues such as failing municipal services, environmental degradation, crime, corruption, water security and social challenges.”
Rather than simply reporting events, many journalists pursued stories over extended periods and returned to developments as they unfolded — demonstrating the tenacity that remains the hallmark of quality community journalism.
“Throughout the competition, the adjudication panel repeatedly identified a number of characteristics shared by the strongest entries: good use of sources, careful verification, balanced reporting and clear writing,” concludes Gouws.
Ben Burger, Executive Director of the FCJ thanked André and his panel of adjudicators for the enormous task they undertook.
“We are deeply grateful to them. I also thank everyone who entered — without your entries, there is no competition. And as in previous years, the competition is still growing. “I must also thank our headline sponsor, AVBOB, without whom this competition would not be possible, as well as our valued legacy sponsors, Novus Media Community News and Caxton Local Media, who have accompanied the FCJ on this journey for many years. I also extend a warm welcome to our new sponsor, Stellenbosch University. We are really excited to welcome them to the family because they share the values and vision of the AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards,” says Burger.
All finalists will be invited to the prestigious prize-giving gala dinner on Friday, 21 August 2026, at The Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria. Your invitation will be sent by AVBOB shortly.
If you have not received your invitation by 20 July, please contact us at myfcjinfo@gmail.com.
The FCJ and AVBOB will also present the national seminar on 21 August. An invitation will be sent by your local FCJ director. Please note that travel to and accommodation in Pretoria are for your own account.
The finalists – in alphabetical order by first name – in each category are:
JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
The winner will be announced at the gala dinner.
ALET ROUX TROPHY FOR BEST YOUNG JOURNALIST
The winner will be announced at the gala dinner.
PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
The winner will be announced at the gala dinner.
STORY OF THE YEAR
- Alida Buckle, Weslander
- Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
- Gerhard Rheeder, Middelburg Observer
- Heinrich Greyling, Krugersdorp News
- Kristy Kolberg, George Herald
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Noluvu Ludidi, Weslander
- Sibulele Kasa, Northern News (Digital news website)
- Tumelo Dibakwane, Lowvelder
- Yaseen Bardien and Mahmood Sanglay, Muslim Views
Newspapers
Newspaper of the Year (Paid)
- African Reporter, Editor: Thelma Koorts
- George Herald, Editor: Lizete da Silva
- Knysna-Plett Herald, Editor: Wyndham Ewerts
- Lowvelder, Editor: Stefan de Villiers
- Mossel Bay Advertiser, Editor: Louise Karsten
- Oudtshoorn Courant, Editor: Liezl van Niekerk
- South Coast Herald, Editor: David Rush
- Vaalweekblad, Editor: Elsje Vermeulen
- Zoutpansberger, Editor: Andries van Zyl
- Zululand Observer, Editor: Ronelle Ramsamy
Newspaper of the Year (Free)
- Eyethu Bay Watch, Editor: Ronelle Ramsamy
- Highway Mail, Editor: Corrinne Louw
- Midrand Reporter, Editor: Ashtyn Mackenzie
- Northcliff Melville Times, Editor: Aimee McGill
- Polokwane Review, Editor: RC Myburgh
- Queensburgh News, Editor: Corrinne Louw
- Randburg Sun, Editor: Aimee McGill
- Rosebank Killarney Gazette, Editor: Ashtyn Mackenzie
- Suid-Kaap Forum, Editor: Ben Snyman
- The Village News, Editor: Carl de Viliiers
Best Front Page
- Eikestadnuus, Editor: Tasmin Cupido
- Highvelder, Editor: Wayne van der Walt
- Knysna-Plett Herald, Editor: Wyndham Ewerts
- Krugersdorp News, Editor: Clinton Botha
- Lowvelder, Editor: Stefan de Villiers
- Mossel Bay Advertiser, Editor: Louise Karsten
- Newcastle Advertiser, Editor: Zianne Leibrandt
- Roodepoort Northsider, Editor: Adéle Bloem
- The North Coast Courier, Editor: Lesley Naude
- Zululand Observer, Editor: Ronelle Ramsamy
Best Back Page
- Bedfordview Edenvale News, Editor: Marietta Lombard
- George Herald, Editor: Lizette da Silva
- Highvelder, Editor: Wayne van der Walt
- Knysna-Plett Herald, Editor: Wyndham Ewerts
- Lowvelder, Editor: Stefan de Villiers
- Mossel Bay Advertiser, Editor: Louise Karsten
- Oudtshoorn Courant, Editor: Liezl van Niekerk
- Suid-Kaap Forum, Editor: Ben Snyman
- Vaalweekblad, Editor: Elsje Vermeulen
- Zululand Observer, Editor: Ronelle Ramsamy
WRITING
Digital
- Anton van Zyl, Zoutpansberger
- Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad
- Fanie Mthupha, Boksburg Advertiser
- Itumeleng Maloka, Alex News
- Lauren O’Connor-May, TygerBurger Mitchells Plain
- Linzetta Calitz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Lizette da Silva, George Herald
- Marsha Bothma, Plainsman and Athlone News
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Zita Goldswain, Witbank News
Editorial Comment & Columns
- Alida Buckle, Weslander
- Carl de Villiers, The Village News
- Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
- Helena Barnard, NoordkaapBulletin
- Louise Karsten, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Ronelle Ramsamy, Zululand Observer
- Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
- Wyndham Ewerts, Knysna-Plett Herald
- Zita Goldswain, Witbank News
Hard News/Investigative Reporting
- Alida Buckle, Weslander
- Alida de Beer, George Herald
- Andries van Zyl, Zoutpansberger
- Chelsea Pieterse, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Gabriélla Siebritz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Liezl Scheepers, Parys Gazette
- Maanda Bele, Limpopo Mirror
- Piliso Mfundo, Go! & Express
- Tumelo Dibakwane, Lowvelder
- Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder Newspaper
Headlines
- Carina Roux, TygerBurger
- Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
- Elsje Vermeulen, Vaalweekblad
- Liezl Scheepers, Parys Gazette
- Linzetta Calitz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Madré Marais, Bloemnuus/NoordkaapBulletin/Vista
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Ronelle Ramsamy, Zululand Observer
- Shirwan Newton, BloemNews, Vista, NoordkaapBulletin
- Wyndham Ewerts, Knysna-Plett Herald
Human Interest
- Desireé Rorke, TygerBurger
- Ditiro Masuku, Fourways Review
- Lauren O’Connor-May, TygerBurger Mitchells Plain
- Linzetta Calitz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Lizette da Silva, George Herald
- Nkosephayo Sphesonke Vilakazi, Roodepoort Record
- Shirley Govender, Globe Post, Walkerville & Savanna City Times, Orange Farm News
- Sibulele Kasa, Northern News (Digital news website)
- Siyavuya Khaya, Vukani community newspaper and Tatler community newspaper
- Tobie van den Bergh, Middelburg Observer
Municipal News/Local Government Reporting
- Adele Louw, Carletonville and Fochville Herald
- Andile Sithole, Southlands SUN
- Andries van Zyl, Zoutpansberger
- Anton van Zyl, Limpopo Mirror
- Lientjie Mentz, BloemNews
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Thembi Siaga, Limpopo Mirror
- Tumelo Dibakwane, Lowvelder
- Vusi Mthalane, South Coast SUN
- Yaseen Gaffar, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
Sport
- Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad/Ster North
- Dave Savides, Zululand Observer
- Fuad Esack, Cape Community Newspapers
- Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
- Gerhard Rheeder, Middelburg Observer
- Jamey Gordon, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
- Kailin Daniels, TygerBurger
- Lebohang Pita, Benoni City Times
- Wyndham Ewerts, Knysna-Plett Herald
- Yaseen Gaffar, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
Vernacular
- Anele Raziya, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
- Monwabisi Khininda, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
- Ntsikelelo Jonga, Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa
- Unathi Obose, City Vision
PHOTOGRAPHY
General
- Carina Roux, TygerBurger
- Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
- Elsje Vermeulen, Vaalweekblad
- Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
- Gypseenia Lion, Bloemfontein Courant
- Jamey Gordon, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
- Linzetta Calitz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Nikhil Gopichand, South Coast SUN
- Sifiso Jimta, Ster South
- Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
Mobile
- Carina Roux, TygerBurger
- Cecilia Hume, TygerBurger
- Dillon Pillay, Southlands SUN
- Kristy Kolberg, George Herald
- Lientjie Mentz, BloemNews
- Marsha Bothma, Plainsman/AthloneNews/Vukani
- Michelle Pienaar, George Herald
- Nkosephayo Sphesonke Vilakazi, Roodepoort Record
- Paula Ansley, The Greyton Post
- Peter Luhanga, The Iliso Labantu News
News
- Alida Buckle, Weslander
- Barend Williams, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette
- Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
- Dillon Pillay, Southlands SUN
- Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
- Gabriélla Siebritz, Mossel Bay Advertiser
- Gypseenia Lion, Bloemfontein Courant
- Justin Thomas, The Village News
- Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder Newspaper
- Zita Goldswain, Witbank News
Sport
- Carina Roux, TygerBurger
- Christiaan Cloete, Vaalweekblad/Ster North/Ster South
- Dillon Pillay, Southlands SUN
- Elsje Vermeulen, Vaalweekblad
- Erwin Kruger, Zululand Observer
- Ettienne van Rensburg, Vaalweekblad
- Heinrich Greyling – Krugersdorp News
- Nikhil Gopichand, South Coast SUN
- Rashied Isaacs, People’s Post
- Wayne van der Walt, Highvelder
Should you require more information, send an email to myfcjinfo@gmail.com