Kenyan journalist Joseph Mathenge has been awarded the top prize at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 Awards Ceremony.
Mathenge was awarded the overall ‘CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year’ Award for his work ‘Images of Terror’, which appeared in Kenyan daily print newspaper The Standard and was chosen from entries spanning 38 nations across the African continent.
The work documents the moments of terror experienced by Westgate Mall shoppers in Kenya, when the mall was attacked by unidentified gunmen in September 2013.
Mathenge said: “It’s a great honor, and I’m humbled to receive this award. All finalists who are here deserve this award. I hope it will motivate men, women and children of good will all over the world to fight terrorism. Memories fade with time, but pictures don’t. We felt it necessary to capture each and every moment so that generations to come may see the horror.”
His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete President of Tanzania; Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa and Deborah Rayner, SVP International Newsgathering TV and Digital, CNN International, presented Mathenge with the Award at a Gala Awards ceremony held at Mlimani City Conference Centre, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday 18th October 2014.
Chairperson of the judging panel, Ferial Haffajee, said: “Joseph Mathenge’s photographs so eloquently captured one of Africa’s toughest 21st Century moments that they were worth a thousand words. That said, the quality of all the winners’ works made the contest a tightly run one.”
Mathenge, winner in the Mohamed Amin Photography category, was among 28 finalists from 10 countries who attended the Awards ceremony as the culmination of a four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking, and sightseeing.
Deborah Rayner, SVP International Newsgathering TV and Digital, CNN International, said: “This evening’s journalists represent the very best in African journalism. By entering these awards, they have proved they have the determination, professionalism and courage to showcase Africa’s stories to the world. I congratulate each and every one.”
Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa, said: “Congratulations to all the 2014 winners, we are proud to recognise your excellence in journalism and to reward you for your courage in telling stories that would have otherwise remained untold. We believe the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards has had a profound effect on the African media landscape and as MultiChoice Africa we remain committed to recognising excellence in journalism throughout Africa. We applaud all the nominees and winners for contributing to Africa’s growth and success.”
Imtiaz Patel, Group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, congratulated all the winners of this year’s Awards: “I would like to thank all of the journalists who have entered this competition and in doing so have helped further develop this award as a platform for excellence in journalism. Your dedication and commitment to tell stories that reflect the reality of our world is very encouraging. A special congratulation to the winners announced tonight. Your work echoes a great future for the role of the journalists and serves to further strengthen the role of the media in Africa. You are indeed all winners and an inspiration to us all – you have made us very proud.”
Now in its 19th year, the Awards are supported by a range of prestigious sponsors: Coca-Cola; Ecobank; GE Africa; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media.
The overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 wins a substantial cash prize, and a visit to CNN Centre in Atlanta, to attend the three week CNN Journalism Fellowship. All finalists receive a cash prize, and iPad Air, with runner-ups receiving an iPad mini.
