Mr Peter Vundla, the convenor of the judging panel said of Odhiambo: “It was Allan’s take on the common challenges faced by both the Middle Eastern and African economies because of their dependence on commodities that set him apart from fellow contestants in the African Growth Story category. He demonstrated impressive research, insight and financial reporting skills. He has contributed to the impeccable quality of work submitted for the 2015 awards.”
Accepting his award from Mr Desmond Smith, the Chairman of Sanlam Limited, Odhiambo said: “I feel honoured after winning this Award and being able to tell the African Growth Story. Africa is a work-in-progress and we have many lessons to learn from developed countries that set the benchmark for us. I will definitely enter the Awards again next year and continue searching for more African growth stories as this is a great platform to recognise and reward the efforts of African journalists.”
The editor of South Africa’s weekly business magazine, Financial Mail, Mr Rob Rose, scooped the top accolade as the 2015 Sanlam Financial Journalist of the Year. Among his excellent submissions was his coverage of the list of South Africans with HSBC accounts as well as coverage of Professor Thomas Piketty’s visit to South Africa and his take on wealth tax as one of the possible solutions to address the country’s inequality challenge.
Forbes Africa magazine’s Ms Ancillar Mangena was named the Best Newcomer, the category won by another Business Daily journalist last year, Neville Otuki. Mangena won the Award for her outstanding pieces on whistle blowers and the risks they take and the business of churches across Africa.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Salomon (Salie) de Swardt, the 1977 Sanlam Financial Journalist of the Year and Nieman Fellow (1982) who served journalism for 37 years as a reporter, an editor and founding editor of Finansies & Tegniek. De Swardt took an executive management position as CEO of the Magazines division of Naspers before becoming the first Managing Director of Media24, which owns News24, among other titles. He retired in 2005 as CEO of Media24, a subsidiary of the listed Naspers.
Commenting on the calibre of the 2015 entries and winners, Vundla said: “The entries received for the 2015 Awards were of a very high standard and impressed the judging panel, showing in-depth subject understanding, journalistic skill and integrity. Each entrant can be proud of the work they have done over the last year and we congratulate all the deserving winners.”