23 Aug 2021

The Department of Information Services winning streak continued at the just ended SADC summit under the media awards category as Messrs Gaseitsewe Moruakgomo and Thamani Shabani walked away with some of the most coveted prices; Photo and Print Journalism awards.

The duo, based in Francistown regional office, scooped first and second prizes in the photo and print journalism categories respectively.

Mr Moruakgomo does not need introduction to the competition having won the same award in 2017 while luck has been eluding Mr Shabani since 2018.

“Winning this award makes me feel proud and I attribute this to hard work. Emerging the finest in the regional bloc is a true morale booster,” said the ecstatic Moruakgomo in an interview.

Besides monetary value attached to the awards, Mr Moruakgomo relayed the awards helped promote regional cooperation and integration agenda; a role he said the forth estate had been playing very well.

His award winning pictures depicts Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo and Zambian Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Mr Vincent Mwale during joint final inspection of the colossal and picturesque Kazungula Bridge that preceded the official opening of the same by the heads of state of the two neighboring states.

 Mr Moruakgomo has called on fellow scribes and photographers alike to enter SADC media awards in their droves and place themselves on better pedestal to walk away with huge financial benefits. His sentiments were echoed by Mr Shabani who was happy that he was finally able to ward-off the jinx that has been latching-on to him for sometimes and managed to get position two in the print journalism category.

“I did not despair but had to look for a unique idea to convince adjudicators. This time I looked and mulled over the idea of writing something about the Kazungula ferry and its importance as far as regional trade was concerned,” he said.

To fellow journalists who would like to vie for the competition in future Mr Shabani’s nugget of wisdom is simple; your story must have a purpose and be able to relay a message that will impact masses out there.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) media awards competition was established in 1995 to recognize best media work in the region and the regional bloc secretariat has been coordinating the awards. Ends