The National Press Club (NPC), with the support of the University of South Africa, tonight celebrated excellence in the craft of journalism and the outstanding work of communicators at the 2025 Newsmaker & Journalist of the Year awards.
The ceremony, hosted in Pretoria, honoured the outstanding work of journalists and communicators who have made significant contributions to the media and communications industry.

These awards are about honouring journalists and communicators who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of truth and the art of storytelling.
In celebration of the memory of community media journalist Aserie Ndlovu who was killed last year, the NPC this year introduced the Aserie Ndlovu Award for Community Journalism.

The 2025 NPC-UNISA Overall Journalist of the Year Award was scooped by News 24 Investigations’ Jeff Wicks. He won a cash prize of R100 000 from this category. This is in addition to the R30 000 from the Investigative Journalism category he also won.
Lt. Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was awarded the 2025 National Press Club Newsmaker of the Year. The sought-after accolade is a testament to the impact that the explosive media briefing the KZN Commissioner held in July last year had on the national discourse, with far-reaching implications on our socio-economic-political landscape.

NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Spokesperson of the Year went to Ndabezinhle Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements Spokesperson.

The National Press Club Chairperson, Antoinette Slabbert said: “As the NPC, we are encouraged by the exceptional quality of nominations received this year and deeply impressed by the calibre of work submitted across all categories. The volume and standard of entries reflect a vibrant, talented and highly competitive communications and journalism sector.”
The following winners of the 2025 Newsmaker & Journalist of the Year awards each pocket R30 000.
The winners are:

2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Campus Radio – News / Current Affairs / Features: Nobuhle Zozo, Voice of Wits 88.1
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year competition winner: Aserie Ndlovu Award for Community Journalism: Radio News: Malesela Mangena, Alex FM 89.1
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Aserie Ndlovu Award for Community Journalism: Print/Online News: Lilita Gcwabe, Elitsha News
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Print/Online Photography: Elizabeth Sejake, Rapport/City Press
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Print/Online News: Kayleen Morgan, Eyewitness News
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Print/Online Features: Hamilton Wende, Daily Maverick
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Radio News: Alpha Ramushwana, Eyewitness News
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Radio Features/Investigative Journalism/Actuality: Alpha Ramushwana, Eyewitness News
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: TV Cameraperson: Peter Rudden- Carte Blanche
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: TV News: Botlhale Pele, SABC News and Eugenie Gregan, eNuus.
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: TV Features: Yusuf Abramjee & Pule Letshwiti-Jones, ENCA
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: TV Investigative Journalism/Actuality: Kate Barry, Carte Blanche
2025 NPC-UNISA Journalist of the Year: Investigative Journalism: Jeff Wicks, News24 Investigations

“We are delighted by the overwhelming interest shown by journalists and communications practitioners, which underscores the credibility of the awards and their growing stature within the industry. This enthusiastic response affirms the relevance of the NPC platform in recognising excellence, innovation and impact, and reinforces our commitment to celebrating outstanding storytelling and professional achievement” added Slabbert.

“The University of South Africa fully supports the freedom of press. Part of our commitment in this regard is our steadfast commitment to hosting the Annual Percy Qoboza Lecture. This year, 2026, will mark the 16th iteration of this important lecture. Hence Unisa’s partnerships with the National Press Club and those of its kind, are not coincidental. No! They are deliberate. They are necessary. And they are, in many respects, acts of democratic stewardship. We are intentional about cultivating this partnership for mutual benefit” said Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Prof Puleng LenkaBula

The National Press Club (NPC) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of journalist Baldwin Ndaba, who passed away on Friday, 22 May 2026.

Until recently, Baldwin Ndaba worked as a journalist for various Independent Newspapers titles such as the Diamond Field Advertiser, The Star, Sunday Independent and the Saturday Star.

A son of Galeshewe in Kimberley, the town that gave South Africa journalist and editor Aggrey Klaaste , Ndaba leaves behind a proven and impeccable legacy of chronicling the socio-political narratives that shaped post-1994 South Africa, marked by depth, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

With nearly three decades in the craft of journalism, Ndaba covered stories that exposed crime and corruption while also using the power of the pen to celebrate the milestones of South Africa’s democracy.

He understood the assignment and told the nation’s stories without any fear or favour.

“Baldwin Ndaba was a consummate and unassuming journalist who understood that for democracy to flourish, it requires a vigilant fourth estate with an appreciation of the country’s history. He loved his country and understood the responsibility we all share in building modern-day South Africa,” said NPC Chair Antoinette Slabbert.

Ndaba will be buried this Saturday in his hometown with a planned memorial service sometime this week.

The National Press Club also recognises and celebrate the life of journalist and cultural pioneer Maria McCloy, who passed away recently.

She was recently honoured by the arts and culture community, as well as broader sectors of society, for her role in shaping South Africa’s arts and culture landscape in the post-1994 era.

Both Ndaba and McCloy arrived in the media world when our democracy was in its embryonic state and led in telling the stories that shaped our society and the challenges that bedevilled our march into a democratic country.

They both left an indelible mark that will continue to inspire and propel the industry to the greater heights.

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry for the Journalist of the Year competition. The closing date has been extended to Tuesday, 12 May 2026 at 13:00.
Entries are open for members of the National Press Club. Become a member now at the reduced rate of R300, which will also give you free access to the black-tie awards function on 29 May 2026.

Entries will be adjudicated by a panel of industry experts and academics.

2025 COMPETITION CATEGORIES

The competition consists of 12 categories covering print, digital, broadcast and community media. Work should be published between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.

PRINT AND ONLINE MEDIA

Category 1: News
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than five news articles.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Attach clearly legible PDF documents of articles or insert the URL of the published story.

Category 2: Features / Investigative Journalism
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than three features/investigative pieces.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Attach clearly legible PDF documents of articles or insert the URL of the published story.

Category 3: Photojournalism
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than five photographs.
• The photos must be submitted as a PDF or high-resolution JPEG files (at least 300DPI/PPI).
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Attach PDF documents or insert the URL of the published photographs.

RADIO

Category 4: Radio News
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than five news items.
• All the items should be a maximum of 90 seconds (1,5 minutes) each.
• Attach the recording as an MP3 and supply a written script as it was broadcast.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

Category 5: Radio Features / Investigative / Actuality
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than three pieces.
• All the items should be a maximum of 30 minutes each.
• Attach the recording as an MP3 and supply a written script as it was broadcast.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

TELEVISION

Category 6: TV News
Prize money: R30 000
Enter a portfolio of not more than five news items.

• All items should be a maximum of five minutes each.
• Upload a copy of the broadcast to YouTube and add the link to the entry form.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

Category 7: TV In-depth / Features
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of not more than three pieces.
• All items should be a maximum of one hour each (preferably 30 minutes).
• Upload a copy of the recording on YouTube and submit the link on your entry form.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

Category 8: TV Cameraperson
Prize money: R30 000

• Enter a portfolio of one piece of up to 30 minutes insert OR three pieces of up to 10 minutes each insert.
• Upload a copy/copies of the broadcast to YouTube and add the link to the entry form.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY JOURNALISM

Category 9: Aserie Ndlovu Award for Community Journalism: Print / Online
Prize money: R30 000

• This category is for journalists working at community publications (excluding mainstream publications).
• Enter a portfolio of not more than five news articles.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Attach clearly legible PDF documents of articles or insert the URL of the published story.

Category 10: Aserie Ndlovu Award for Community Journalism: Radio – News / Features / Investigative
Prize money: R30 000

• This category is for journalists working at community radio stations (excluding mainstream radio stations).
• Enter a portfolio of not more than five news items.
• All the items should be a maximum of six minutes each.
• Attach the recording as an MP3 and supply a written script as it was broadcast.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

Category 11: Campus Radio – News / Current Affairs / Features

• This category is for journalists working at campus radio stations.
• Enter a portfolio of not more than five news items.
• All the items should be a maximum of six minutes each.
• Attach the recording as an MP3 and supply a written script as it was broadcast.
• Write a 200-word motivation for your entry (on the entry form).
• Upload a letter from an editor to confirm the date of broadcast.

Category 12: Media Liaison Officer / Communications Officer/ Spokesperson
Prize money: R30 000

• In this category, you can either enter yourself or nominate someone else.
• Enter a portfolio of work (one or more projects).
• Give a minimum of five references.
• Write a 500-word motivation to motivate your entry (on the entry form).

An overall winner will be selected from Categories 1-11. The Unisa – National Press Club Overall Journalist of the Year will win R100 000.

Eligibility to enter

Categories 1-12: Entrants must be National Press Club members, with paid-up membership for 2026.

Verify your membership status: secretariat@nationalpressclub.co.za.

Categories 1-11: Individuals must enter their own work.

Category 12: Entrants can enter their own work or be nominated by someone.

Technical requirements

• All entries must be submitted electronically.
• Entrants must confirm it is their own work and agree to it being used for publicity.
• Non-English entries must include an English translation plus the original published work.
• Individuals may enter for as many categories as they want to.
• Please provide a PDF for content that is behind a paywall.

How to enter:

Entries are now closed.