Yusuf Abramjee, Primedia Broadcasting’s Head of News and Current Affairs, has again been re-elected chairperson of the National Press Club. This follows the election of a new executive committee.
Antoinette Slabbert of Sake24 was elected deputy chairperson. She has been on the executive for some time.
Ben Rootman was re-elected general manager of the club while Martin van Niekerk of Junxion Communications was re-elected treasurer. Tanya de Vente-Bijker, freelance journalist, is now social media manager. Doreen Gough, freelance journalist, has been elected the club’s public relations officer.
Various members have been elected to the executive committee. They are Herman Scholtz of Huisgenoot, Jos Charle of Pretoria News, Edwin Tshivhidzo of GCIS, Graeme Hosken of The Times, Zelda Venter of Pretoria News, An� Roux of Rekord, Mosidi Mokgele of ABSA and Frans Machate of PINA News.
The following members were co-opted to the executive and tasked with special focus on Johannesburg activities: Lisa Dewberry of Shop SA, Gillian de Gouveia of Proudly South African, Marisa Oosthuizen of Primedia Broadcasting and Magdel du Preez of The Star.
Abramjee thanked the National Press Club for the confidence they have again placed in him by re-electing him as chairperson. He said the focus would also continue on ensuring freedom of the media.
“The media plays a crucial role in democracy and the freedom of the press in any country measures how democratic that country is,” he said. “The National Press Club has established itself as an important networking platform and will continue to do so. Our membership continues to grow and we are delighted to have members in other cities, such as Cape Town and Johannesburg. More recently, we have also had applications from neighbouring countries,” Abramjee said.
According to Abramjee the club will continue to ensure that newsmakers use the club to interact with the media and the South African public. “We will also continue to promote networking within the media and communications fraternity.”
Abramjee served as chairperson of the National Press Club from 2000 until 2003. He was re-elected in 2009.
“What makes the National Press Club different is that we cater for journalists and communication practitioners,” he said.
The National Press Club, previously the Pretoria Press Club, was formed 34 years ago. It is known for the annual Newsmaker of the Year award and more recently it introduced journalism and communication awards.
