The light of Mirror continues to shine as our contribution has been recognized through two local reporters, who received special awards during the Thulamela Municipality Achievers Awards at the Thohoyandou Town Hall on Friday.

Wilson Dzebu (34) and Nthambeleni Gabara (28) became our ambassadors as they have successfully proved that hard work, persistence and dedication pay off.

Dzebu is a correspondent, who holds a Diploma in Freelance Journalism and a Certificate in Photo Journalism from Stanford Business College. He joined Mirror at the end of 2004. A former employee of the University of Venda and now a full-time freelance journalist, Dzebu was awarded for his touching reports about poverty and his fearless stance when reporting about the escalating number of ritual murders.

His reports have changed the lives of countless community members who have received immediate assistance shortly after publication of their plights. Amongst his achievements in the journalism industry, Dzebu is: Best Education Reporter (Far North Print Journalists, August 2004), Best Hard News Reporter (Far North Print Journalists, August 2004), Special Municipality Award: (Best reporter on poverty, disability and unemployment, 2005 Thulamela Municipality Achievers Awards), Best Human Interest Reporter (Far North Print Journalists, August 2005), Best Soft News Reporter: (Far North Print Journalist, August 2005), Best Hard News Reporter: (Far North Print Journalist, August 2005). He has also received certificates for reports on the following journalism topics: Aids in our community Workshop: (Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, August 2004) and an Access to Information Workshop: (Media Institute of Southern Africa, Mokopane 2005).

Gabara is a dedicated journalist who holds a National Diploma in Journalism from Technikon Northern Gauteng. He also received a Basic and Advanced Certificate in Journalism from Tshisimani Community College. The Thulamela Municipality has rewarded him for his meaningful role in changing the lives of the youth through journalism. He joined Mirror in 2002. As a result of his hard work, he was appointed the only full-time journalist of the paper in 2003.

Although his work is more than demanding as a full-time journalist, he balances his time effectively, resulting in his being appointed editor of Makoya, a supplement of Mirror aimed at giving a platform to young readers to air their views. Amongst his awards, Gabara is a proud recipient of Best Crime and Court Reporter (Far North Print Journalist, 2004), Best Soft News Reporter (Far North Print Journalist, 2005), Best Hard News Reporter (Fast Forward Business College Awards, 2005) and Municipal Journalism Award (Idasa, 2006).

Both Dzebu and Gabara thanked their editor, Mr Wikus Lee, and other staff members for the support and the opportunity to realize their journalism potential through Mirror newspaper. “There is nothing more important than being honoured by your own people when you are still alive. The support from our editor and the readers played a vital role and today’s award is dedicated to them,” said the jubilant Dzebu. “This award will obviously encourage me to work hard because there are still great future challenges in the world of journalism,” added Gabara. Lee congratulated the two reporters and expressed the hope that the awards will motivate them and the whole Mirror team to strive towards an even better product.