Touching Lives applauded for uplifting society
SABC's Touching Lives campaign has been awarded the inaugural National Press Club/Proudly South African Media Award for upliftment of communities through the media. We were awarded this jointly with the Primedia Broadcasting/Independent Group of Newspapers initiative and Lead SA at the National Press Club Newsmaker Awards, which were held over the weekend in Pretoria. The award was handed over to both CEO of Primedia Broadcasting, Terry Volkwyn and our Group Executive of News and Current Affairs, Phil Molefe by the CEO of the Proudly South African campaign, Adv. Leslie Sedibe.
"We appreciate the award and we thank the National Press Club and Proudly South African. Touching Lives is making a difference," said Phil Molefe. Also walking away a winner on the night was our very own first citizen, Thebeetsile Keameditse who won an award for Radio Features Journalist of the Year.
Adv. Sedibe remarked that this award recognises that South African media organisations and journalists are actively participating in efforts to uplift their fellow man and improve our country. He added that this speaks to the spirit of Ubuntu which has always been an integral part of who we are as a nation. "We congratulate Touching Lives and Lead SA, Touching Lives most certainly touches lives as they continue to assist the citizens of our country and this is commendable. The SABC has most certainly showed its commitment to Corporate Social Investment (CSI). for their marked efforts to uplift South African communities and society through the media. These initiatives show that irrespective of occupation or social standing, every proud and patriotic South African can choose to stand up and make a positive difference in their own sphere of influence – no matter how big or small," he said.
Chairperson of the National Press Club, Yusuf Abramjee, thanked Proudly South African for the partnership and said that they have agreed that it is important that media organisations or individuals within the media industry were recognised and awarded so that they can pride themselves on making a difference.
"Corporate social investment is a non-negotiable. Let me congratulate the various media houses for the many initiatives that they are doing. These include areas around community development, education, job creation, sport and poverty alleviation. Philanthropy and making a positive change should be non-negotiable. These initiatives show that the media organisations today are not only bystanders, but active participants in creating a better South Africa. We would have loved to have awarded each and every campaign, but we have singled out one or two," said Abramjee.
The introduction of the new National Press Club/ Proudly South African award also cements the partnership between the organisations and will be presented annually.
By: Dolana Masuku
