Johannesburg: South African media practitioners have been called to submit their entries to the 2025 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards competition. The awards aim to promote regional integration and cooperation by recognizing excellence in journalism across print, photo, television, and radio mediums. The initiative encourages media professionals in member states to cover issues pertinent to the region, as stated by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Wednesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the SADC Media Awards competition is open to journalists and media entities from SADC Member States. Established in 1996, the awards seek to honor outstanding media work in disseminating information about SADC, thereby supporting the region’s process of cooperation and integration. Winners of the first prize will be awarded during the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for August 2025.
The first prize winner in each category will
receive US$2,500, while the runner-up will be awarded US$1,000. The awards were created following a decision by the SADC Council of Ministers to establish a sector focusing on information, culture, and sport. They offer a unique opportunity for journalists in the SADC region to gain recognition and celebrate their achievements.
These awards serve as a mechanism to ensure coordination and synchronization among formal structures of SADC governments, civil society, academia, labor, and the media. Journalists interested in entering the competition can find more information and entry forms at the GCIS website.
The entry forms and rules for the 2025 competition are available at the provided links. All entries must be posted or delivered to the MDDA or any GCIS offices nationwide by 28 February 2025. The entries should be clearly marked as “SADC Media Awards Entry” and sent to the specified addresses in Johannesburg and Pretoria.