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Vodacom has officially announced the entry dates and prize money for the 2025 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards (VJOYs), one of South Africa’s most prestigious journalism honours. The awards, now in their 23rd year, recognise outstanding reporting across multiple platforms and celebrate the essential role of journalists in strengthening democracy and accountability.
Entries for the 2025 edition open on Monday, 1 September 2025, and will close on Friday, 10 October 2025. Journalists from print, radio, television, online, and photography are eligible to submit their work. The competition continues to uphold its tradition of inclusivity, welcoming entries from both established and emerging reporters working in South Africa.
The Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards are known for their generous support of journalistic excellence, with the overall national winner set to receive R100,000 in prize money. Regional category winners will each be awarded R5,000, while national category winners will take home R10,000. Beyond the financial rewards, the awards provide a platform for journalists to gain national recognition, highlight critical stories, and contribute to a culture of press freedom.
Since their inception in 2002, the VJOYs have honoured hundreds of journalists whose reporting has shed light on corruption, human rights, social issues, and innovation in storytelling. Past winners have gone on to shape South Africa’s media landscape, reinforcing the awards’ reputation as a benchmark of credibility and impact in the field.
This year’s ceremony will also continue Vodacom’s tradition of celebrating stories that embody resilience and courage. With journalism under increasing pressure globally, the awards aim to reaffirm the value of investigative and public-interest reporting in the face of adversity.
The Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards remain not only a celebration of individual achievement but also a statement of commitment to the future of ethical, impactful journalism in South Africa.
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