Westgate attack ‘hero’ overall winner in 2014 CNN Awards

Dar es Salaam. Kenyan photojournalist, Mr Joseph Mathenge, was all smiles as he received the 2014 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award on Saturday night.

The award, presented to him by President Jakaya Kikwete, capped Mr Mathenge’s career success as a freelancer, the first ever in the 19 years of the competition to top the winners’ list from his category.

He was recognised for capturing heartrending images of last year’s September 21 terror attack on Westgate Mall in Nairobi, in which 68 people were killed.

He was celebrated on Saturday as a hero who put his own life at risk to capture the award winning photographs and also rescue victims trapped in the mayhem when armed Al-Shabaab terrorists hijacked shoppers at the upmarket shopping mall.

Dressed in a black suit and a yellow shirt, Mr Mathenge started his appreciation speech by expressing his delight in “standing before a president.”

“I must say: it is my first time to stand before a president,” he said with a laugh as all the audience joined him.

“I am privileged to hug President Kikwete too,” he said at the colourful award ceremony held at Mlimani City Conference Hall. It was the first time that Tanzania was playing host to the prestigious event that is televised across the world.

Mr Mathenge dedicated the award to the victims of the mall attack and also his son, Geoff Kihato, whom he told the audience was a cancer patient.

“It’s a great honour, and I’m humbled to receive this award. All finalists who are here deserve this award. I hope it will motivate men, women and children of good will all over the world to fight terrorism.

Memories fade with time, but pictures don’t. We felt it necessary to capture each and every moment so that generations to come may see the horror,” he said.

Mathenge also received Mohamed Amin Photographic Award for the same work.

In his speech, President Kikwete urged Tanzanian journalists to use the awards as a lesson to do their work more professionally and with excellence.

“The government is committed to opening up more space for media freedom but there has been a sense that journalists need to inject professionalism to better their work,” said the President.

He reiterated that the government would in February table two crucial legislations to enhance freedom of the press and right to public information.

“This, I believe, will enhance transparency, openness and accountability. It will enable our people to receive information from the government easily.”

The President said while there remained pockets of media oppression in Africa, governments were increasingly cleaning up their acts as the continent rose from the shackles of poverty, war and bad governance.

“Journalists, we believe, are part of this process and we in Tanzania will do what is necessary to provide a conducive working environment.”

Mr Nico Meyer, CEO MultiChoice Africa and Ms Deborah Rayner, International Newsgathering TV and Digital, CNN International, joined President Kikwete in awarding Mr Mathenge.

Chairperson of the judging panel, Ms Ferial Haffajee, said: “It is the first time that images win over words.

The backstory is amazing. I admire his empathy. He didn’t just take these photos and leave, he stayed with the people. Joseph Mathenge’s photographs so eloquently captured one of Africa’s toughest 21st Century moments that were worth a thousand words.

Some 28 finalists from 10 countries attended the Awards ceremony as the culmination of a four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking, and sightseeing.

Ms Rayner, said: “This evening’s journalists represent the very best in African journalism. By entering these awards, they have proved they have the determination, professionalism and courage to showcase Africa’s stories to the world. I congratulate each and every one.”

Mr Meyer, said they were proud to recognise the excellence in telling the untold stories. “We believe the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards has had a profound effect on the African media landscape.”

Imtiaz Patel, Group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa said the entries echo a great future for the role of journalists and serves to further strengthen the role of the media in Africa. The awards are supported by Coca-Cola; Ecobank; GE Africa; IPP Media; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and A24 Media.

The overall CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2014 wins a substantial cash prize, and a visit to CNN Centre in Atlanta, to attend the three week CNN Journalism Fellowship. All finalists receive a cash prize, and iPad Air, with runner-ups receiving an iPad mini.