AWARD FOR ZIM JOURNALIST IN SOUTH AFRICA!

 

Cross Border Association of Journalists(CAJ)

 cajexiles@yahoo.co.uk

 

  STATEMENT

 

Zimbabwean journalist based in South Africa, Zakeus Chibaya has won the Honourable International Award for Solidarity with Refugees for excellence journalism in exposing the ill-treatment of refugees and migrants and highlighting the plight their in South Africa.

 

Chibaya, a correspondent for The Zimbabwean and Institute for War and Peace Reporting has been reporting about refugee problems in South Africa under difficult circumstances because of resources and environment.

 

Some of his stories on refugees have managed to attracted international media attention. In one of the Special Reporting which was published by MO* Magazine in Belgium and funded by The Pascal Decroos Fund for Investigative Journalism, Chibaya, chronicled the problems facing refugees in South Africa.

 

Chibaya, 30, is also the Secretary General for Cross Border Association of Journalists, an organization for exiled journalists based in South Africa which strives to create opportunities for exiles journalists to continue with their profession in foreign land and a member of Forum for African Investigative Reporters.

 

He is currently studying Honours in Journalism at Wits University.

 

“By attributing the International Award, the jury members have appreciated and affirmed your commitment and dedication for the rights and betterment of peoples as fundamentals of common well,” said a statement from the jury.

 

The award will be conferred during the International Institute of Journalism World Congress to be held in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada from 3 to 10 June 2007.The award is organized by International Institute of Journalism and Communication and International Catholic Union of the Press.

 

“With little resource and media space I have managed to put the refugee agenda on world map and I am happy it has been recognized. There is need for further documentation of refugee problems and weed out the root problems,” said Chibaya

 

The International Award for Solidarity with Refugees is awarded to media men and women can play a great role in preventing civil disputes, conflicts and wars which are among the first and major events that force people to leave their home and even homeland.

 

 

 Honouring and recognising media professionals who have campaigned for the dignity and the rights of refugees as human beings, so that media men and women worldwide commit themselves more and more to put an end to the refugee phenomenon.

 

 

 The international Award for Solidarity with Refugees is awarded to a maximum of seven best entries and their authors from different parts of the world.  The awardees may be invited to be consultants on refugee problems and to visit refugee camps and undertake activities in view of solving the refugee crisis.

 

For more information

072 274 1065

Cross Border Association of Journalists

 <cajexiles@yahoo.co.uk>