In an anonymous display of appreciation by readers, the Go!&Express community newspaper and its journalist Faith Mtwana have been nominated for the sixth annual SA Hero Awards.
Announced at the start of June, the sixth annual SA Heroes Awards honours and celebrates the “unsung heroes who are building their communities” in 20 categories.
The paper and Mtwana have been nominated in two categories which were introduced this year; community media of the year and community journalist of the year.
SA Hero Awards founder and CEO Amanda Matshaka said: “This is our first time including the two media categories. We wouldn’t know many of the good deeds if not for these platforms. This is a token of appreciation.
“These are the people telling and sharing the stories of people empowering communities. They are playing a role themselves. This year we wanted to celebrate them as well, they took the time to identify the amazing people to tell stories about. The media platform that avail their space to celebrate these heroes.”
Go!&Express, which has a weekly circulation of 33,850 copies across the metro, was praised in its nomination submission as being an informative resource of “good news stories from our community” and keeping readers “informed on what is happening in the East London area, especially people that need help”.
The award ceremony will take place at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg in September, and winners will be selected by the public.
Mtwana, 29, from Amalinda, was nominated for her articles on community outreach drives.
Mtwana said: “I didn’t know anything about this! It’s heartwarming. Because we focus on the community, we highlight the good work that often goes unnoticed by bigger media. To be a part of that is truly rewarding.
“I’d like to thank the person who nominated me. I don’t know who it is, and without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Editor Tammy Fray, 27, from Buffalo Flats, emphasised the newspaper’s significance to the metro.
Fray said: “The Go!&Express is a landmark of the city; like the Windmill or the Esplanade, it’s a heritage brand that has entrenched itself so deeply in East London that residents see themselves through the prism of the Go!
“It’s part of your house and has been for years. It’s part of your daily life, even when you tear it up and clean your windows with it. It’s a brand that people in East London have ownership of.
“In my tenure here, I wanted the Go! to transition into the champion of the little people, which is why our stories now have a metro focus — services integral to people’s lives. We aim to keep the legacy of shaping the city in a positive way, allowing residents to see themselves reflected in the Go! with a sense of pride.”
“There is so much research in the media landscape that shows when community newsrooms close in a city, people lose their sense of identity or commonality.
“Who are you when you don’t see yourself in your local media?”
SMS ‘SAHA EXPRESS to vote for the Go! & Express’ and ‘SAHA MTWANA to vote for Faith Mtwana’, to 47439. SMSes cost R3. Voting closes on September 15.
