adminwith the final nominees expected to be announced on Monday next week.
ZUJ secretary-general, Mr Foster Dongozi, told journalists yesterday that prize-money to the tune of US$60 000 mobilised from the sponsors would be shared among the winners.
The awards are set for Friday next week.
“We received a total of 121 entries, equaling 363 stories that have been submitted and the judging has been completed and they have submitted the nominees and next week we will be announcing the two finalists for each category under consideration,” Mr Dongozi said.
“It is our belief that for an award that we sponsor, it should make a difference in the life of a journalist.”
Mr Dongozi said in line with this year’s theme – “Media in the community” – the union would partner sponsors in reaching out to various charities.
ZUJ also unveiled its new Njama stand-alone project, which would run for the whole year.
Responding to questions why there were no awards for cartoonists and sub editors, ZUJ first vice president, Mr Michael Chideme, said sponsors were the ones who determined categories to sponsor.
“We continue to ask people like cartoonists to tell us if they know some people who might be interested in sponsoring cartoonists so that we can approach them.”
There are 19 categories, including news reporter of the year, business reporter of the year, financial reporter, mining reporter of the year, legal and parliamentary reporter, best photographer, maternal health reporter, gender-based violence reporter and best feature among others.
The competition will be for both electronic and print media.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter