2011 Winners and Finalists

Fatuma Noor, Kenya

Winner: Overall Winner CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011
See why the story won

Winner: Print General News Award
See why the story won

Bio: Intrepid young journalist, Fatuma Noor specialises in investigative stories and is features writer for The Star. Prior to this she worked as a reporter for Kenya National Agency and as a news correspondent for The Star. She has been recognised for her work, winning the Award for Features Writer of the Year in 2010 from Radio Africa Limited and the Runners up prize (Forum for the African Investigative Reporter) in 2009 for her story, 'Inside a Somali Brothel'. She has a BA in Communication from Moi University and a diploma in Mass Communications.

Kofi Akpabli, Ghana

Winner: Arts and Culture Award
See why the story won

Bio: Winner of the CNN MultiChoice Africa 2010 Award for Arts & Culture, Kofi was also voted Best Journalist for Arts and Tourism by Ghana Journalist Association last year. He has been working as a freelance journalist since 2001 specialising in tourism, culture and environment. He has contributed stories to The Mirror, Public Agenda, Daily Graphic, Graphic Showbiz, Weekly Spectator and the Business and Finacial Times. His investigations and reports have also been broadcast on Radio Ghana and the News Commentary section of GBC's News Bulletin.

Claudine Efoa Atohoun, Benin

Winner: Francophone General News TV & Radio Award
See why the story won

Bio: Claudine has been working at the Office of Radio and Television in Benin (ORTB) for nearly twenty years, and has held the position of Head of National Radio Production since 2007. She is back at the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards eight years on from winning the Francophone General News Award in 2003. In addition she won a WASH Media award in 2008 for a story on access to drinking water in Dassa.

Rabin Bhujun, Mauritius

Winner: Francophone General News Print Award
See why the story won

Bio: Rabin has worked at L'Express Dimanche since 2002, working his way up the ladder before being named Editor-in-chief of the publication in 2008. He has also worked for Radio One in Mauritius since 2009. In addition to these roles, Rabin has published academic articles focussing on a range of issues, from journalism trends to Mauritius' trade links with Africa and India.

Sylvia Chebet, Kenya

Joint winner: Economics & Business Award
See why the story won

Bio: Sylvia graduated from Daystar University in 2005 with a BA in Communication and during her time as a student was the assistant news producer for student radio station 103.1 Shine FM. She was an intern at Silver Bullet PR & Events company before joining Citizen TV in 2005 where she is senior TV reporter specialising in producing weekly health features but also covering education, environment, social issues and general news.




Kimani Githae, Kenya

Joint winner: Economics & Business Award
See why the story won

Bio: Kimani graduated with a diploma in television production from the Andrew Crawford Media Training School in Nairobi. His career to date has seen him work as a cameraman for KTN (Kenya Television Network) on the local drama series 'Better Days', before he moved to his current employer Citizen Television. Since joining Citizen TV four years ago, Kimani has worked as a DOP and cameraman. In 2009 he attended a Deusche Welle workshop in Johannesburg in preparation for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

DispatchOnline Team, South Africa

Winner: Digital Journalism Award
See why the story won

Bio: Tegan Bedser, Online News and Graphics Editor, is representing the DispatchOnline Team. At the time of submission, the DispatchOnline team comprised six people who collaborated on stories produced specifically for online. They were Tegan Bedser; Alan Eason, Chief Photographer; Asa Sokopo, now Assistant News Editor; Sino 'Scorsese' Majangaza, now Reporter for Daily Dispatch at their Mthahare Bureau. Reporter Bongani Hans and Graphics Artist Rudi Louw have moved on and now work with other media companies.

Lamia Hassan, Egypt

Winner: Environment Award
See why the story won

Bio: After graduating in 2008 with a BA in Journalism & Mass Communications from the American University in Cairo, Lamia joined Organizational Consultants where she was responsible for online written content, press releases as well as writing internal and external newsletters. She joined her current employer IBA Media in 2009 and in her role as staff writer she produces features for the monthly publications Egypt Today and Business Today Egypt.

Mahamud Abdi Jama, Somaliland

Winner: Free Press Africa Award

Bio: Mahamud has been the Editor in Chief of Waaheen newspaper since 2005 and also has a background in television as a cameraman and in the transmission department. Waaheen is part of the Waaheen Media Group and is known for its ciritical coverage of the Government. Mahamud was found guilty of defamation and 'spreading false news in connection with a story he ran alleging public corruption. His paper received a fine of six million shillings and he, a three year prison sentence. He was denied bail and sent immediately to Hargeisa Central Prison. After pressure on the Government Mahamud was granted a Presidential pardon and released after spending over a month in prison.

Norman Katende, Uganda

Winner: Mohamed Amin Photographic Award
See why the story won

Bio: A freelance journalist for the New Vision, focusing on entertainment and sports. He studied for his BA in Journalism, Mass Communications and Creative Writing at Namasagali University (Now Busitema Government University). He began his career as a journalist at Radio Star before becoming the Sports Editor for The Weekly Message Newspapers. He is Vice President of the Uganda Journalist Union and is the media commission secretary for the Uganda Olympic Committee.

Farouk Kayondo, Uganda

Winner: Television News Bulletin Award
See why the story won

Bio: Farouk has been working at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation since 2006, where he is currently the news editor and chief anchor. Since graduating with a BA in Communication and Literature from Makerere University in 2002 he has specialised in radio journalism. Prior to joining UBC Farouk worked as news editor and anchor for Radio One FM 90 and was reporter/anchor for Voice of Africa Radio 92.3. In 2010 he received an Award in Best Montage Category from National FICTS.

Selma Marivate, Mozambique

Winner: Portuguese Language General News Award
See why the story won

Bio: Selma has been working with TV Miramar for over five years, having served in various different capacities at the company during her time there, including stints presenting a variety of different programmes. She has presented and produced 'Contacto Directo' since 2010, and last year won the SNJ-Vodacom Journalism Prize, the largest of its kind in Mozambique.

Melini Moses, South Africa

Winner: Radio General News Award
See why the story won

Bio: Melini has been a senior news reporter at SABC Radio since 2008. Since graduating with a BA in TV journalism from Rhodes University she has forged a career in radio journalism. She has worked as News Anchor at East Coast Radio KZN and at Radio 2000 and SAFM. In 2010 she was awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Fellowship, and reported from the United Nations in New York (September - November). She won Vodacom Journalist of the Year prizes in 2006 (Editor's Choice Award), 2009 and 2010 (Radio Feature Award).

Lindile Mpanza, South Africa

Winner: Television Features Award
See why the story won

Bio: Working as a junior producer for e.tv's half hour documentary series 3rd Degree, Lindile is involved with all aspects of television production from researching stories to organising shoots. She graduated from Rhodes University in 2007 with a degree in Journalism and Psychology. After gaining experience of print, radio and television journalism during internships with Carte Blanche, Pandamonium Productions, Rhodes Music Radio and The Mercury Newspaper she joined Carte Blanche as a journalist in 2008.

Kamau Mutunga, Kenya

Winner: Sport Award
See why the story won

Bio: Kamau's work was commended in the Business category in the CNN African Awards 2004. His work has a strong emphasis on informative, investigative reporting. In his role on the features desk with Nation Media Group, which he joined in 2004, he has researched and written stories about a variety of different subjects. He has contributed stories to publications such as Business Daily, The East African, Africanview.com and The Exchange as well as scripting several television documentaries. Kamau studied at the University of Nairobi School of Journalism.

Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Nigeria

Winner: MSD Health and Medical Award
See why the story won

Bio: Currently working as a senior correspondent for Punch Newspaper in Lagos, Oluwatoyosi has written about a wide variety of subjects, from fashion to food science and technology as well as writing as a columnist for News Star. Since graduating with a diploma in Print Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 2009 she has worked for Punch as an investigative reporter investigating both local and international crime stories. She is currently studying for an MA in Communication.

Benon Herbert Oluka, Uganda

Winner: Tourism Award
See why the story won

Bio: Benon has returned to the field as a special projects writer for Monitor Publications after five years as a reporter and editor. He started his career with Observer Media moving to Monitor Publications in 2008. He has also contributed as a freelance writer to The Mail and Guardian and The Africa Report. His work has earned him a number of accolades including Winner of the Akintola Fatoyinbo Africa Education Journalist Award 2008, Winner of the Uganda Investigative Journalism Awards in 2007 and the Golden Pen Journalism Awards in the same year.

Beryl Ooro, Kenya

Winner: HIV/AIDS Reporting Award
See why the story won

Bio: Beryl is a TV journalist whose career has seen her active on both sides of the camera. Having graduated from the East African Institute with a diploma in Journalism and Mass Communications and an ICM Certificate in Public Relations, Beryl pursued work as an actor and a researcher before joining Joy Divine Children's Home as a Public Relations Officer. She has written for Kenya Times Newspaper and The Big Issue Magazine and currently works as a Producer/Reporter at K24.

Virgil Augustin Pascal Houessou, Benin

Highly commended

Bio: Augustin has been working at the daily newspaper L'Événement Précis since 2006, prior to which he had served as a reporter for various publications in Benin. He is currently a member of the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR), and in 2008 won the prestigious RFI-RSF-OIF Prize for an article entitled "Babies held prisoner in hospital". In the same year Augustin also took home the African Journalists' Union Prize for an article about education standards in Benin.

Mark Klusener, South Africa

Highly commended

Bio: Mark's career in journalism has straddled both print and broadcast media. He has specialised in Middle East affairs for Al Jazeera English, SABC News, e.tv and ME Eyewitness News. As well as TV projects he has worked on print and radio assignments for a host of international media from the Sydney Morning Herald to Jane's Defence Weekly. Prior to his current position as Senior Field Producer for eNews Africa, Mark was the Regional Correspondent for Sunday Times (South Africa).

Nigel M Nassar, Uganda

Highly commended

Bio: Nigel graduated from the Islamic University in Uganda with a Bsc in Mass Communications in 2004. He spent a short time as a radio news reporter on Radio Sapienta before moving to the Daily Monitor, where he joined as feature/special projects writer and columnist before becoming the news sub editor. In 2007 he joined his current employer, New Vision, as features writer. He was script editor for a local film, Battle of the Souls, which premiered in Uganda in 2007 and has featured at film festivals in the US and Italy.

Nnamdi Okosieme, Nigeria

Highly commended

Bio: Sports editor, Nnamdi Okosieme has been working for Next newspaper at since 2008. Prior to this he gained experience at the Independent Newspapers where he was assistant sports editor, editing a weekly 8-page football section. He started out in Marketing and Advertising positions before joining the Independent Communications Network in 2001. He spent four years at Independent Newspapers before moving to Media Torch Ltd as a producer/presenter. He was editor at Essence Communications Ltd from 2007-2008 before re-joining Independent Newspapers as Sports Editor.

José Bouças de Oliveira, São Tomé and Príncipe

Highly commended

Bio: José has served as Head of News at Televisão Santomense [São Tomé Television] since 1999, and in 2009 and 2010 won successive Gibela Journalism Prizes recognising him as São Tomé e Príncipe's journalist of the year. He has been the network's main presenter since 1996, prior to which he worked as a reporter for the newspaper Notícias STP and as a broadcaster for Rádio Nacional STP [São Tomé and Princípe National Radio].

Sonny Serite, Botswana

Highly commended

Bio: Sonny started his career as a freelance journalist contributing to The Weekly Independent as a columnist, a role he continued from 2004 - 2007. He then began to contribute to the Botswana Gazette as well as carrying out a role as correspondent for the Botswana Guardian. Since 2008 he has been writing features and working as a columnist for both the Telegraph and the Sunday Standard.

Portia Solomon, Ghana

Highly commended

Bio: In her five year career as a TV journalist, Portia's work has already earned her two Ghana Journalist Awards as Best TV News Reporter and Best Report on Development Journalist for Furthering the MDGs. She started her career in 2006 with the Information Services Department before moving to become a broadcast journalist and newscaster with TV3 in 2007. Her role in the newsroom includes researching, writing, reporting and presenting news bulletins.

Kipchumba Some, Kenya

Highly commended

Bio: Kipchumba has been working in investigative journalism since 2007 contributing to publications including the Christian Science Monitor (US), Daily Nation, The East African, Business Daily, Taifa Leo and Daily Monitor. He was a reporter for Standard newspapers and his current role is as an investigative reporter for The Sunday Nation. His work has won him several awards including winner of the Lorenzo Natali journalism awards 2010. He graduated with a B Ed in English and Literature in 2007 and is currently studying for a Masters in Journalism and Communication from Daystar University.

Nkula Zau, Angola

Highly commended

Bio: Nkula has been working for Televisão Pública de Ángola [Angolan Public Television] for ten years, initially based in Cabinda as a presenter for the province's regional news bulletin before relocating to Luanda, where she now works as a news reporter. Prior to joining TPA, she worked for five years at Rádio Comercial de Cabinda [Cabinda Commercial Radio] as a reporter and broadcaster.

Follow us on
Twitter and Facebook