ABSA Bank has made good on its pledge to honour members of the press for their contribution towards the growth of the ABSA Cup by awarding outstanding journalists in various categories.
Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana commended ABSA Bank for recognizing the work the media do in the promotion of sports in the country.
Meanwhile FAZ General Secretary Charles Chakatazya says the media awards for the media was a great motivation for the scribes in their daily work.
ABSA Managing Director Mizinga Melu says the media were not just conduits for information but partners.
In his speech, Kawana said football was not only defined by what happened on the pitch but even the way the story was told.
“Allow me at the outset to commend ABSA Bank Zambia for this important initiative by recognizing journalists, you have acknowledged a simple but powerful truth. That the success of football in our country is not just defined by what happens on the pitch. It is defined by how those moments are captured, interpreted and shared with millions of Zambians,” he said.
“This initiative affirms that the work of journalists matters.”
Chakatazya urged ABSA Bank to ensure that the initiative became an annual event.
The ABSA Bank boss said that the awards were a recognition of the role the press has played in the last 19 years of the cup competition’s existence.
“Today, we celebrate excellence across five categories, and each winner will receive a prize of ten thousand kwacha. This is a token of appreciation for the dedication, creativity and consistency that each of you brings to your work,” she said.
Meanwhile Daily Mail’s Ndinawe Simpelwe won the Print Media category while ZNBC’s Chansa Kunda was the Best Television Journalist with Patrick Nyangulu scooping the Radio category.
Veteran journalist Kalumiana Kalumiana won the Social Media Best Award for his The Kafue online platform coverage with Jean Mandela getting the Best Photojournalist accolade.
The panel of judges was led by ZANIS Director Loyce Saili, historian Daniel Kaoma and media expert and former Times of Zambia journalist Yuyi Kambikambi.
FAZ