The Awards will be presented at a gala dinner in Johannesburg on Friday, May 24 2013.
Says Sanlam Group Head of Communications, Mr Ainsley Moos: "We are encouraged by the positive response we received from journalists who have entered for the Awards, including those from the remotest areas of the country where there are community newspapers and radio stations.
"We look forward to an exciting competition and we hope to organise an event that will be suitable in stature to honour the winners and acknowledge all those who participated."
The MDDA and Sanlam, who are co-sponsors and organisers of the only South African awards that recognise journalists who work in the local media, have also announced the adjudicators for both print and broadcast sections of the Awards.
The adjudicators for the broadcast section of the competition are Jacob Ntshangase who is the convener and the other judges are JP Louw, Ms Nomusa Dhladhla-Mntambo, Martin Vilakazi, Ms Mapule Mbhalati, Bruce Mkhize and Doc Fick.
Mr Henry Jeffreys is the convener of the print adjudicators and the team comprises of Ms Lindsay Clowes, Mr Fanie Groenewald, Mr Collin Nxumalo, Professor Gavin Stewart, Mr Joe Thloloe and Ms Phindile Xaba.
"We have once again secured a credible expert panel to adjudicate the broadcast and print sections. We are confident that these judges will apply a rigorous process to identify the best among the extensive work that has been entered for the Awards. These Awards, not only promote excellence in community and small commercial, but enhances media diversity." says CEO of the MDDA, Mr Lumko Mtimde.
This is the third year that the joint MDDA-Sanlam Local Media Awards are presented. The Awards bring together more than 22 years of Sanlam Community Newspaper Awards and four years of SABC News/MDDA Community Media Awards into one big event the MDDA-Sanlam Local Media Awards in the best interest of developing grassroots/local media talent, celebrating and promoting excellence.
The inaugural joint awards were held in November 2010, after a period of extensive consultation with industry players including the Association of Independent Publishers, the Association of Community Broadcasters, Forum for Community Journalists, National Association of Broadcasters, National Community Radio Forum, Print and Digital Media South Africa as well as the sponsors, Sanlam and the MDDA.
