I am still struggling to grasp that, a few nights ago at the impressive Vodaworld in Johannesburg, I won my first award (or second if you include the regional namesake), at the 2011 Vodacom Journalist Of The Year.
On the eve of the beginning of my career six years ago (although my political career began just over three years ago).
Being up against veterans such as ‘Stidy’ (The Witness), ‘Miles’ (Daily Dispatch), and Wilson Mgobhozi (The Star) meant that I had little chance of winning. In fact, I hadn’t even written a speech. (Thankfully, I subsequently discovered that speeches weren’t required.) In fact, I wasn’t even inside the auditorium moments before my category’s announcement.
There are a bunch of people that I probably should thank, but I’ll keep things short by high-fiving my wife and our families, my then-editor Henry Jeffreys, my former editor at The Times (and also, funnily, my current editor) Ray Hartley who gave me a critical break in late 2007, and my friend John Curtis who contributed to my winning cartoon’s conception.
Since Friday night, I have received far too many messages to which I can individually respond. If yours is in that pile, then I have read it and appreciate it.
Take a look at my winning cartoon.
Very very well deserved. As a fan and a friend, I am extremely proud of you!!
Grats buddy. You know we all cheered for you and good to see you got it.
I’m probably the proudest, no I’m definitely 100% the proudest fan of you !!!
You deserve this win more than most because you are a damn good cartoonist !
Congrats to you and hope you win many more .
Your wife high-fives you back ;-) Super proud of your well deserved win.
http://www.youtube.c.....j6pQGFRxZc
Hugs – nuff said ;)
Congrats on winning. This is a great start in becoming RSA’s #1 Cartoonist ^^
Okay, so it’s official. Are you planning on removing the “39th best cartoonist in SA”? It has always been a self deprecating note i never understood…
Here here.. make it 39th best cartoonist in Africa :P
From Urban Trash to Urban Hero…nice one, J.
Congrats! I notice the “promotion” you gave yourself (worst to best) but you seem stuck on the number 39… I wonder what the significance is… ?
Do share…
Thank you for writing this so we could feel a part of your moment! You rock! More than that, you deserve this….totally!
Looking forward to that first book :)
Congrats,
A huge fan!