Media Release19 May 2022

JOHANNESBURG, 19 May 2022 – Entries for the Isu Elihle Awards closed on the 20 th of May2022. This year we have received over a hundred applications from sixteen countries across the continent. Six journalists will be given an opportunity to publish their child-centered stories. The top six finalists will be announced during an awards ceremony in July.

These awards seek to contribute to a change in attitudes and behaviours of opinion anddecision-makers and citizens across the country and continent from the premise that themedia frames debates in society and carries enormous influence and, therefore, ability todrive positive change.

The six journalists will receive an amount of ZAR10 000 financial support each to help themto develop their stories. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) and UNICEF will also offermentorship to the finalists to develop their concepts. Once published the top six stories will beranked to top three and cash prizes will be awarded as follows, R25 000 (Overall winner), R15 000(2 nd place) and R10 000 (3 rd place). The fourth cash prize for The Isu Elihle Mandy RossouwAccountability Category is conditional. It will only be awarded if there is a story (in the top six) that meets the criteria for the category. The amount of money to be awarded for the Mandy Rossouw prize will be determined on the quality of the story published.

We would like to thank everyone who has managed to submit their story ideas on time andwishing you all the best with your application.

For further information, please contact:Girlie SibandaMedia Monitoring AfricaTel: 011 7881278girlies@mma.org.za