08 Sep 2024

Broadcasting plays a vital role in connecting the Africa’s diverse societies and sharing their values and challenges, African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), director general, Mr Gregoire Ndjaka has said.

In his welcome remarks at the AUB Media Awards ceremony in Gaborone Thursday, Mr Ndjaka said this was why, as a non-profit making organisation, AUB was committed to advancing broadcasting across Africa.

“We believe that supporting broadcasters, of this continent, by ensuring they have the necessary resources, platform and opportunity to shine will ultimately promote the rich African culture and social education,” he said.

In that regard, Mr Ndjaka said AUB organised a media awards ceremony, as part of its 15^th general assembly, to celebrate and honour the remarkable achievement and excellence in African Broadcasting, both radio and television.

“This ceremony is very special, as it is not only about awarding the prizes, but also about celebrating the passion, creativity and dedication that African media professionals put into their work every day. It is also about highlighting the importance of even African audience, which is asking for genuine and quality content,” he added.

Mr Ndjaka said the media was a powerful tool in the hands of talented professionals, as it was a force of inspiration and positive change, adding that African broadcasters were also the champions of the African culture and values.

The AUB’s mission, the director general said, had always been about empowering African broadcasters to deliver the best content and ensure that African stories were told by Africans.

“Our continent is vibrant, dynamic and full of stories in the hands of our African broadcasters, that deserves to be heard,”said Mr Ndjaka.

The awards categories were ; Grand Reporting, New Media, Best Television Magazine, Best Radio Magazine and Best Documentaries.

Winners, who scooped first position under each category, walked away with a trophy and a prize money of more than P30 000, second positions got over P20 000, whilst third positions received over P10 000.

Meanwhile, Government Communications Permanent Secretary, Ms Montlenyane Baaitse and Department of Broadcasting Services acting director, who is also one of the AUB vice presidents, Mr Buyani Zongwani were awarded trophies, as special awards in appreciation of the support and effort they put, together with their teams, to successfully host and organise the five-day general assembly.

African Union of Broadcasting also awarded a trophy to Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo, for his sterling performance during the just ended 2024 Paris Olympics, which made all Africans proud. ENDS