The people of KwaZulu-Natal are invited to vote for their top KZN Newsmaker of the Year 2011. The KZN Newsmaker of the Year was launched in the province on Friday, 28 October and seeks to identify any KZN-linked individuals or events that made the headlines and most shaped the news between June 2010 and June 2011.

The inaugural event, hosted by the Durban University of Technology (DUT), is an initiative of the DUT Journalism Advisory Board, and The Newsmaker of the year 2011 will be crowned at an invitation-only gala dinner to be hosted at DUT on Thursday, 17 November.

The candidates for the 2011 KZN Newsmaker of the Year are:

1.         The Moses Mabhida Stadium and 2010 FIFA World Cup;

2.         The 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the arrival of the Indians in KZN in 1860;

3.         Hashim Amla, star batsman at the 2010 Cricket World Cup and acting captain of the national one-day cricket team;

4.         National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele.

The public can vote for their chosen newsmaker by post (to Box 47549, Greyville, 4023 – mark your envelope “Newsmaker”), via e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – simply note your choice as being 1, 2, 3 or 4, as listed above) or by SMS (which cost R2 each).

SMS the number of your choice (1, 2, 3, or 4, as listed above) to 34382. Voting closes at noon on Thursday, November 10.

DUT Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Ahmed Bawa said the initiative was a forerunner to the institution’s campaign to support and promote free speech and dialogue. “The Durban University of Technology has a proud history of promoting debate and dialogue.” He added, “Our province plays a vital role in adding to the news agenda and DUT is honoured to recognise and host the KZN Newsmaker of the Year.”

DUT Advisory Board Chairperson Mary Papayya, a veteran media freedom campaigner, said the event presented a wonderful opportunity for KwaZulu-Natalians to participate in the media industry by deciding which KZN linked person or event most gripped the attention of the public.

“Through public participation, this important initiative also casts the public spotlight on the media and journalism in KZN, which is why it has been launched in October – the month that is traditionally set aside by the SA media fraternity to celebrate, commemorate and campaign for Media Freedom. This is particularly pertinent at present given the growing lobby of opposition to the threat to the right to know that is inherent in the proposed Protection of Information (POI) Bill, along with renewed calls for a halt of all transgressions both overt and covert against the media,” said Papayya.

The DUT Journalism Advisory Board comprises key community, media, public and private sector communication leaders.