STANDARD BANK, the biggest bank in Africa by assets, congratulates the 15 winners of the 16th annual Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, held in collaboration with the South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF).
This year’s competition attracted more than 400 entries from journalists and media practitioners across South Africa, reaffirming the enduring strength, resilience, and relevance of quality journalism in the country.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners on a truly outstanding achievement. Journalists know that South Africa, and the world, are always better off when people have more information, when the truth emerges, when those in power are required to account for their actions, and when institutions function transparently and efficiently.
We are grateful for their commitment and their courage,” says Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank Group CEO.
SANEF newly appointed Chairperson, Katy Katopodis says: “The awards see the best of the best across various journalistic platforms being benchmarked against their peers by a panel of top quality and highly credible judges. The judging panels described the 2026 competition as one of the most fiercely contested in recent years, with the overall quality of submissions surpassing previous editions of the awards. In several categories, judges found themselves engaged in lengthy and robust deliberations as they attempted to separate outstanding work from exceptional work.”
Standard Bank has been partners of the Sikuvile Awards for 16 years and is encouraged by the sustained interest demonstrated in the large number of entries every year.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners. This year’s theme, ‘Truth in the Age of AI: The Fight for Sustainable Journalism’, speaks directly to the challenges journalists navigate daily – their work is proof that quality journalism continues to play a vital role in society,” says Virginia Magapatona, Group Head of Communications at Standard Bank.
The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards remain South Africa’s premier journalism awards programme, recognising excellence in reporting, storytelling, photography, commentary, innovation, and leadership in the media sector.
Photojournalist Sandile Ndlovu of TimesLIVE emerged as the overall Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards.
Announcing the winners, SANEF founder member and veteran journalist Mary Papayya, who delivered the judges’ remarks, said the awards remain committed to recognising excellence in journalism while providing a platform for some of the country’s best work.
“The consistently high standard of entries received this year paints a picture of a robust public-interest journalism landscape committed to holding power to account. These stories are produced under difficult circumstances, yet journalists continue to hold the line for justice, fairness and the rights of all communities to share in the fruits of our democracy,” Papayya said.
She noted that judges across categories commended the quality of work submitted and praised publications that continue to shine a light into society’s darkest corners through courageous investigative reporting.
“Journalism is not a nice-to-have; it is an essential part of a healthy, functioning democracy. While news content producers and influencers have multiplied, it is journalists who continue to lay the groundwork for quality information grounded in facts and evidence,” she said.
Papayya also welcomed the growing number of first-time entrants and younger journalists entering the competition, describing the quality of work submitted by emerging reporters as an encouraging sign for the future of South African journalism.
“Standard Bank’s support for the Sikuvile Awards is our way of saying how much we value the work of South Africa’s Fourth Estate.
Bankers and journalists have strong common interests in ensuring a steady flow of useful information and in having the analytical capacity to get to the truth. We have an equally strong common interest in the quality of institutions in general, and in the rule of law in particular.
Your brave and determined investigations into corruption, maladministration and abuse of power are essential links in the feedback loop that strengthens institutions and, therefore, enables faster growth,” continued Tshabalala.
Reflecting on the theme of this year’s awards, ‘Truth in the Age of AI: The Fight for Sustainable Journalism,’ Tshabalala said artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool that can enhance journalism rather than replace it.
“I therefore look forward, with confidence, to reading, seeing and hearing brilliant journalism from the people in this room – undoubtedly assisted by AI, but certainly not replaced by it,” he said.
Delivering the welcoming address, SANEF Acting Chairperson Tshamano Makhadi said the awards celebrated not only journalistic excellence but also the profession’s enduring commitment to truth, accountability and democracy.
“In an age where misinformation travels faster than facts and artificial intelligence can generate both innovation and deception, journalism has become more essential than ever. Technology may transform how stories are told, but it must never determine what is true. Truth remains a human responsibility,” said Makhadi.
He added that the journalism profession must embrace innovation while protecting its core values.
“The next generation of journalism will require us to harness AI without abandoning human judgement, move faster without compromising accuracy and grow audiences without sacrificing credibility. For every machine capable of generating content, there must always be people committed to generating trust,” he said.
The awards once again highlighted the vital role journalists play in informing citizens, exposing wrongdoing, amplifying underrepresented voices and safeguarding South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
Makhadi said: “We pay tribute to Latiefa Mobara, recipient of the Allan Soga Lifetime Achievement Award, whose distinguished career has made an enduring contribution to South African journalism. Through her dedication, professionalism and commitment to excellence, she has inspired generations of journalists and helped strengthen the foundations of our media landscape.”
SANEF extends its appreciation to Standard Bank for its longstanding partnership and commitment to supporting media excellence and press freedom in South Africa.
2026 Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards Winners
Journalist of the Year
- Sandile Ndlovu (TimesLIVE) – Skater
Hard News
- Mervyn Naidoo (IOL Durban) – Pharmacist’s Desperate SOS to Husband as Her Vehicle Sank in a River
Community Service Reporting
- Cleopatra Jones (SABC Cutting Edge) – Struggling for Dignity
Lifestyle
- Zikhona Tshona (Newzroom Afrika) – 100 Not Out
Business Journalism
- Sikonathi Mantshantsha (News24) – Ghost Contract
Features Broadcast
- Aisha Abdool Karim and Susan Comrie (amaBhungane) – The Deadly Water Outbreak Series
Features Print
- Don Pinnock (Daily Maverick) – Becoming a River
Columns and Editorials
- Carol Paton (News24) – ANC Looks into the Abyss as Turnaround Flounders
Investigative Journalism
- Jeff Wicks and Sikonathi Mantshantsha (News24) – Hunted: Inside the Mpho Mafole Assassination
News Photographs
- Ayanda Ndamane (IOL and Independent Newspapers) – Hanover Park Rock
Feature Photography
- Sandile Ndlovu (TimesLIVE) – Skater
Sports Photographs
- Darren Stewart (Gallo Images/Daily Maverick/Kick Off/SA Rugby Magazine) – Betway Premiership Match: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Golden Arrows
Visual Journalism
- Themba Siwela (The Citizen) – The Circus
Juby Mayet Rising Star Award
- Karabelo Phokoe (Our City News)
Allan Soga Lifetime Achievement Award
- Latiefa Mobara
Image supplied Sanef (TimesLive photojournalist Sandile Ndlovu won big at the awards.)
