JOHANNESBURG, 20 July 2023 – Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) announced the 2023 lsu Elihle Awards Top 6 finalists on Thursday, 20 July 2023. Isu Elihle is an isiZulu phrase that means a “Great Idea” when translated to English, these Awards were launched in 2016 and have been running for six years. These Awards aim to encourage fresh reporting, innovative approaches and insightful investigations that seek to give children a voice and elevate the status of the child all over Africa. 

The awards also continues to honor the legacy of Mandy Rossouw through the Isu Elihle Mandy Rossouw Accountability Category, which is awarded to the journalist (if so determined) who made the best attempt at holding the powerful to account on issues specifically related to children.

The top 6 finalists are: 

1. Nomfundo Xolo –  South Africa

2. Regina Rumbidzai Pasipanodya – Zimbabwe

3. Cindy Sipula – Zambia

4. Motsamai Mokotjo – Lesotho

5. Effande Lyonga Larry Jr – Cameroon

6. Moraa Obiria – Kenya

The awards now enters its second phase, which includes mentorship from media and child rights experts to provide guidance and support for the finalist as they navigate around the hard challenges of taking their brilliant story idea and turning it into an outstanding piece that is worthy of being published in any mainstream media of their choice in their respective country.Finalists will also receive financial support up to R10 000 to realize their story. This support is intended to elevate the strain of resources that many journalists find themselves in when trying to write and publish a story.

The finalists will have from 01 August – 29 September 2023 to write and publish their story. The deadline for all submissions is 30 September 2023.

MMA will announce the 2023 Isu Elihle Award winners in November 2023. 

 The  Prizes are 

*Please note that it is possible for one of the top 3 winners to be selected as the winner of the Mandy    Rossouw Category. In this case they would take two cash prizes. It is also possible that the MRC will not be awarded based on judges’ final decision. 

For further information, please contact:

Jacques Ndong, Project Coordinator, jacquesn@mma.org.za; 011 788 1278

About MMA

Media Monitoring Africa‘s vision is a responsible, quality media that enables an engaged and informed citizenry in Africa and across the world. MMA aims to promote the development of a free, fair, ethical and critical media culture in South Africa and the rest of the continent. To achieve MMA’s vision, the three key areas that MMA seeks to address through a human rights-based approach are: media ethics, media quality and media freedom.

For more information about MMA and its work for children visit www.mediamonitoringafrica.org
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