RHODES University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) is honouring 50 of its most distinguished alumni across the globe, with seven of these being honoured at a gala dinner hosted by the vice-chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, at Lagoon Beach Hotel in Cape Town on September 29.
The honours are in commemoration of the university’s JMS school.
The seven that were honoured in Cape Town are Audrey Brown, Rebecca Davis, Ray Hartle, Leonie Joubert, Daneel Knoetze, Karyn Maughan, Minoshni Pillay and Professor Alison Gillwald.
They are among 50 graduates celebrated by the school this year for their career excellence in their work as journalists and communicators.
JMS acting head, Dr Jeanne du Toit, said the school intends to recognise those who have had very distinguished careers and made long-term impact and those who have more recently graduated and are already making their mark in the industry.
“To be included in this group is amazing. This hard, heavy-hitting group has done tremendous work in their fields. A variety of skills is reflected in the honorees – it’s not just narrow hard news journalism or corporate communication.
“I feel that it reflects everything good about Rhodes University journalism. The awards say much about the status of journalism in our country and the work JMS has done over the years. It is an amazing honour; I never expected it,” said former Daily Dispatch journalist, Hartle.
Legal journalist, Maughan, added that it was extraordinary to be recognised by her alma mater because that’s where her love for journalism started.
“I appreciate this award, particularly at this time when everything that’s happening in terms of facing private prosecution and the kind of issues that I am going through. It’s an amazing feeling to be acknowledged and celebrated because often the only kind of engagement we get is harassment and intimidation from individuals undermining us and making it difficult for us to do our job,” she said.
“I wish to offer our heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients of the JMS 50th awards. Thank you to each one of them for flying the flag of our university with such great distinction and honour.
“They are indeed the ambassadors of our university and have become leaders in their field. They embody Rhodes University’s motto, ‘Where leaders learn’. We are immensely proud of them,” said Mabizela.
The vice-chancellor also paid tribute to all journalists who have died in the line of duty.
– ISSUED BY THE RHODES UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATION AND ADVANCEMENT DIVISION
