Sunday Tribune's senior reporter Mervyn Naidoo's article on a 1986 Toyota Cressida being sold at a dealership for a whopping R1.1m earned him top honour at this year's Vodacom Journalist of the Year (VJOY) regional awards ceremony.
He scooped the award in the lifestyle category.
Naidoo said as journalists the compulsion to stay informed and up to speed with latest developments never ends, even when deadlines are behind them.
“The affirmation that this award from Vodacom carries is priceless. Converting all of the information we consume into compelling and conscientious reads that resonate with our readers is the satisfaction we aspire to on a daily basis. Therefore, this award is a great honour.
“I thank God for all that I am able to achieve with every breath I receive. The support of my family is priceless and I’m grateful to all the editors and colleagues, both past and present, who have helped to shape my journalistic instincts and abilities over the years,” said Naidoo.
It was pure journalistic instinct that triggered the Toyota Cressida story in Naidoo’s mind.
While reading a post on a WhatsApp group, a dealership that advertised the sale of a “box-shaped, stock-standard” 1986 Toyota at R1.1m, stirred his interest.
His curiosity got him an interview with the owner of the Johannesburg-based dealership who gave his justification for the price tag.
Naidoo said he had “fun” weaving together the facts, figures and fervour that emerged from his conversation with the dealership owner into the story he wrote, which eventually went viral on social media platforms.
Sandile Mdadane, Sunday Tribune editor said: "It fills us with immense pride to have our senior reporter, Mervyn, clinching this award. He has been a dependable reporter for the Sunday Tribune, much like the Toyota Cressida, he wrote about. This award is a confirmation of the quality of his work and a reward for his sharp nose for news. I hope the award inspires everyone to see that hard work pays off. Congratulations to him."
Mapi Mhlangu, VJOY convener said entries in the KwaZulu-Natal region touched on the heart wrenching devastation caused by the April floods and the aftermath of the July unrest.
"Journalists delivered the most artistic and creative storytelling in the features category. The judges had a difficult time deciding on the winners, because of the high quality," said Mhlangu.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE