George Herald the best in SA

George Herald's team members are overwhelmed by the flood of congratulatory messages that have been pouring in since this flagship Group Editors publication scooped multiple awards at the Avbob Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) Excellence Awards in Stellenbosch last weekend.

George Herald was named the best sold community newspaper in South Africa of 2024, while its editorial team's journalism also came out right on top.

Lizette da Silva (editor), Kristy Kolberg (news editor), Alida de Beer and Michelle Pienaar together brought home the three most prestigious awards: journalist of the year, best hard news and best human interest story.

On top of this, Kolberg took top honours in two categories, winning the brand-new award for best mobile photography as well as the coveted award for best digital news reporting.

The George Herald team, with Da Silva as editor and Ilse Schoonraad as digital head, secured the runner-up position in the digital category for their coverage of the Victoria Street building disaster, while Jeff Ayliffe of Group Editors achieved fourth place nationally. George Herald also took fourth place for the best back page.

Da Silva thanked the community of George and the Herald's readers and advertisers for their unwavering support through the years.

"Without you we wouldn't exist. You are at the heart of our storytelling and the reason we do what we do. Every story we tell is rooted in serving our community. Thank you so much," she said.

"To see our work acknowledged on a national stage is both humbling and inspiring. This recognition is testament to the dedication and passion of our newsroom. We are honoured to represent George and the Garden Route among the very best in South Africa."

Group Editors Company CEO Servaas de Kock said he is incredibly proud of the national recognition that George Herald and the other Group Editors publications received. "We are touched by the praise pouring in from George, the Garden Route and beyond."

Group Editors CEO Servaas de Kock and George Herald editor Lizette da Silva beaming with pride.

All Group Editors' publications made the top 10 sold community newspapers in South Africa, with Suid-Kaap Forum taking the runner-up spot as best sold community newspaper.

Knysna-Plett Herald came fifth, Oudtshoorn Courant eighth and Mossel Bay Advertiser 10th.

"This is a remarkable achievement," says De Kock. "We are very proud of the entire Group Editors team who won prizes on Friday night - from the individual prize winners, the group winners, as well as the various publications. It was great to see we can participate on a national platform and be crowned winners and runners-up.

"Congratulations to all the editors, journalists, digital staff and support staff who work behind the scenes to ensure that only the best papers hit the street week after week while the latest news is available online 24/7. I am excited by the road ahead."

The awards were presented during a prize-giving dinner at the Protea Hotel Stellenbosch and Conference Centre in Techno Park on Friday 22 August. The judging was overseen by Dr André Gouws of Akademia.

Journalist of the year

Winner: The George Herald team: Lizette da Silva, Kristy Kolberg, Alida de Beer and Michelle Pienaar.

Best paid newspaper of the year

• Winner: George Herald

• Runner-up: Suid-Kaap Forum

• Fifth: Knysna-Plett Herald

• Eighth: Oudtshoorn Courant

• Tenth: Mossel Bay Advertiser

Esmé Smit, Novus Media's general manager, and the George Herald and Group Editors online team: Lizette da Silva, Kristy Kolberg, Wyndham Ewerts (edotor, Knysna-Plett Herald), Alida de Beer, Michelle Pienaar and Beatrice Esterhuysen.

Best back page

• Winner: Suid-Kaap Forum

• Fourth: George Herald

Former editor of Suid-Kaap Forum Hugo Redelinghuys receives the award for best back page, along with graphic designer Periëtte Nel (right). With them is Avbob Business Development Director Nakedi Pilane.

Writing: digital

• Winner: Kristy Kolberg, George Herald

• Runner-up: George Herald team: Lizette da Silva, Kristy Kolberg, Alida de Beer and Michelle Pienaar.

Group Editors digital team: Ilse Schoonraad, Beatrice Esterhuysen, Dot Ings, Esté Smit, Jeff Ayliffe, Cameron Squire, Wyndham Ewerts and Jannie du Plessis.

• Fourth: Jeff Ayliffe, Group Editors.

Esmé Smit, Novus Media's general manager, and George Herald journalist and news editor Kristy Kolberg, who won the brand-new award for mobile photography as well as the coveted award for digital news reporting.