The Gatefield-backed People Journalism Prize for Africa (PJPA) is a public service journalism initiative to recognize and reward journalists, citizen reporters, and social justice newsmakers on the continent. Now in its third year, the PJPA reached out to dozens of journalists, human rights defenders, and public opinion shapers across the continent and received nominations for several impressive journalists who have advanced society through their journalism and acts of journalist courage. We are excited to reveal our 2021 nominees.
PJPA 2021 nominees
People Journalist for Africa
Daneel Knoetze/View Finder (South Africa)
Daneel and the Viewfinder team exposed a sinister coverup scheme within the South African Police Service’s internal watchdog that offered protection to violent officers.
Laila Johnson Salami (Nigeria)
With great courage, Laila took on the issue of climate change head-on with investigative reports on Nigeria’s illegal logging and wildlife trade.
Naipanoi Lepapa (Kenya)
Naipanoi exposed the rot in Kenya’s underground surrogacy industry, where surrogate mothers and children are being trafficked and dehumanized.
Samuel Ogundipe (Nigeria)
Samuel uncovered an illegal second job scheme within the Nigerian government perpetuated by presidential political appointees who are embedding themselves within the civil service at the taxpayer’s expense.
Manasseh Azure Awuni (Ghana)
Manasseh exposed the dark story of a predatory medical facility and its “doctor” who sexually assaulted women seeking reproductive health services.
Jamil Mabai (Nigeria)
Jamil is a freelance journalist whose stories have uncovered Nigeria’s North-Western region atrocities at significant personal risk.
People Journalist for Informed Commentary
Lucy Kassa (Ethiopia)
Lucy fearlessly documented the atrocities of the Ethiopian war, the use of chemical weapons against civilians, and the rape of women caught in the conflict.
Elizabeth Merab (Kenya)
Elizabeth’s consistent commentary on the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya countered widespread misinformation against vaccines in Kenya.
Sandra Ezekwesili (Nigeria)
Sandra has fearlessly used her current affairs talk show on the radio to hold influential individuals and institutions accountable.
Irene David-Arinze (Nigeria)
Irene takes on the issue of predatory lending in her reporting. She exposed a loan shark’s exploitation of its borrowers who lived in extreme poverty.
The winners in the two journalism and social justice newsmaker categories will be announced later. Each category winner will receive $1,500 in cash, totalling $3,000 in financial rewards to the winning journalists. We will disclose more information regarding the public award ceremony in subsequent communications.
About Gatefield
Gatefield is a Sub-Saharan African public strategy and media group that influences positive change. The PJPA is Gatefield’s leading corporate social responsibility commitment to advance democratic freedoms and societal change.
