11 Nov 2014

Department of Information Services employees scooped awards in different categories at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) media awards on November 7.

The trio who were all elated at their achievement had every reason to smile after a year’s hard work.

Senior reporter for Kutlwano magazine, Mr Mothusi Soloko scooped the print journalist of the year award while BOPA reporter, Mr Puso Kedidimetse won business reporter of the year award with veteran photographer Mr Yobe Shonga winning photographer of the year award.

Mr Soloko thanked the Kutlwano team for their support and in particular, Mr Thomas Nkhoma “for the books that shaped my thinking.” His award followed his investigative work on Satanism. The story took him to the caves of Maun in his pursuit to come face to face with the devil. 

He dedicated the award to all his colleagues in the media for working day and night in ensuring that the nation is always informed. Mr Shonga said he was thankful for winning the prestigious award after last winning it in 2004. 

He said it was one award that brought the best in him although he appreciated that it was not an easy win. “Winning is what I do best,” he said. For Mr Kedidimetse, winning the award came as a surprise as he felt the business category was a bit tough and was not quite sure that he will emerge the overall winner.

Best Reporter on HIV/AIDS issues and also a nominee for Best Reporter on Education issues, Ms Dikatso Selemogwe said she was proud because she had exposed challenges in mainstream education that disabled and mentally challenged children have to go through such as those with Autism and Dyslexia.

Under the Print category, Mr Alistair Hagger of Business Weekly won the Sports Writer of the year award. Mr Justice Kavahematui of Botswana Guardian clinched the Investigative Reporter of the year award while Ms Tshireletso Motlogelwa walked away with Best feature writer of the year praise.

In the Broadcast category Ms Thato Nthite of Botswana Television (BTV) won Broadcast of the year award while Mr Reginald Richardson won Best current Affairs programme. 

Mr Monnakgotla Mojaki scooped Sports Reporter of the year. Ms Kearoma Komane of eBotswana clinched the Investigative Reporter of the year prize with Ms Nthite clinching a second prize of Business Reporter of the year.

Other contested categories were specialised reporting on Children, Education, HIV/AIDS issues as well as Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health issues and Media house award categories.

Meanwhile Chargé d’ Affaires from the United States embassy Mr Michael Murphy said media freedom keeps societies and economies vibrant, energetic, and healthy.  It allows transparency and accountability necessary to ensure that democracy and governance thrive.

He said an enlightened citizenry is indispensable to democracy, as access to information is fundamental to creating an enlightened citizenry.  To achieve this, he said media freedom and freedom of information is required. 

He said it remains his government’s hope that Botswana will soon adopt a freedom of information bill that ensures greater openness, transparency and access to information for the people of this country. 

He however urged journalists to have a responsibility not only to tell the stories, but to do so in a fair, accurate and balanced way as many inaccuracies, unchecked use of anonymous sources and unattributed information lead to loss of credibility. ENDS