SA's Property Media excel at 2012 SAPOA Journalism Awards

SA Commercial Prop News winner of the SAPOA Property Online News Portal of the Year. L to R: Athalea Minnaar (Hermans & Roman Property), Ortneil Kutama (SA Commercial Prop News) and Brian Azizollahof (SAPOA Property Journalism Awards Chairman)

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The SA Property Industry has cast its vote for quality journalism at the fiercely contested SAPOA (South African Property Owners Association) Property Journalism Awards.

This year’s four category winners, adjudicated on a scorecard of exacting criteria, are:  Elma Kloppers of Sake 24 Beeld who was named Property News Journalist of the year, Monique Terrazas of Real Estate Investor Magazine won the Property Features Writer category, SA Commercial Prop News which was voted the best source of Online Property News and Shopping SA which took the title of Best Printed Property Publication.

The award winners were announced at the 44th annual SAPOA Convention and Property Exhibition in Durban. Sponsored by Hermans & Roman Property Solutions, the awards identify SA property journalists and media making a significant contribution to news coverage of commercial property.

“The competition was fierce, the quality of entries exceptional and it was a close call in every category,” says SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal. “In fact, entries were of such a high standard, the judges included a special mention in each group.”

The winners were selected by a multi-disciplinary panel of independent judges comprising leaders in their fields of property. 

The judging panel for 2012 included: Athalea Minnaar of Hermans & Roman Property Solutions, Mpumi Madisa of Prestige Cleaning and Chairperson for SAPOA marketing committee, Brian Azizollahoff of Capstone Property Group and Chairman of the SAPOA Property Journalism Awards, Mike Rodel of Rebosis Property Fund and Izak Petersen of Dipula Income Fund.

Kevin Roman, of sponsor Hermans & Roman, explains the awards aim to encourage quality coverage of the property industry in the media. “Real estate plays a major role in the economy and touches every South African. Excellence in journalism is important for communication about a progressive property sector. These awards serve to recognise, and boost, quality journalism,” says Roman. 

In the Property News Journalist category, judges praised Kloppers for the consistent quality of her journalism, interesting news angles and writing that is crisp, clear and engaging. “Her well-researched, informative interviews impressed the panel,” notes Azizollahoff. 

Micel Schnehage from Moneyweb received a special mention for her stand-out entry in this category. “Schnehage always finds the story. She covers the un-covered,” says Azizollahoff. 

Her fresh style, thought-provoking articles and plucky approach to pertinent issues in property sector clinched the title of Property Features Writer for Monique Terrazas of Real Estate Investor Magazine. “Her stories hit home and left a big impression,” reports Azizollahoff. 

The judges also gave a special mention to Joan Muller of Financial Mail for her unswervingly informative, comprehensive articles and valuable in-depth analysis of the listed property.

Winning the coveted Best Printed Property Publication, the panel tipped its hat to Shopping SA, the official journal of SAPOA affiliate, the South African Council of Shopping Centres. It’s educational and informative content, variety of subjects including general property articles as well as retail content, and its relevance scored it paramount with the judges. 

Earning a special mention in this group was The Property Magazine. “It’s visually appealing with excellent readability,” notes Azizollahoff.

SAPOA Best Online Property News Source 2012

Scooping up the first ever Online Property News award, SA Commercial Prop News impressed judges with its comprehensive website, which presents a broad-spectrum archive of current property information. It’s neat, visually appealing, easy-to-navigate structure earned it top place on the category scorecard. 

“We are truly honored to receive this Award. This has given SA Commercial Prop News an entirely new perspective and positioning as the top online property brand for the South African Commercial Property Industry,” says Media Director, Ortneil Kutama.

Praised for its quality, independent investment information, Moneyweb received a special mention in this class. 

This year, entries for the awards grew to an impressive 28. The two winning journalists each walk away with a R10,000 prize and trophy. The winning print and online news sources each receive trophies for their achievements.