The Whistleblowers Awards Gala, held on the evening of Wednesday, 23 October 2024, at the Maslow Hotel Time Square in Menlyn, Pretoria, brought together distinguished guests, high-profile leaders, and advocates for transparency and accountability. This celebrated event recognised individuals and organisations that have shown extraordinary courage, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to justice.
The keynote address was delivered by Justice Mahube Molemela, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, whose profound insights highlighted the indispensable role whistleblowers play in defending democracy. Justice Molemela’s inspiring words resonated throughout the evening, underscoring the critical need to support those who bravely expose wrongdoing, often at great personal risk.
The evening was attended by prominent figures, including Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa and retired Constitutional Court Justice Johan Kriegler, who joined in honoring an exceptional group of individuals. Their efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers across various sectors set a powerful example of ethical leadership.
The Whistleblowers Awards celebrates these courageous voices and serves as a call to action to support and defend those who hold institutions and leaders accountable.
CELEBRATING HEROES OF INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
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Danielle Walker: For your bravery in reporting a suspected predator, your commitment to safeguarding others and ensuring accountability in education has aided crucial investigations, protecting vulnerable students and upholding ethical standards in schools.
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Clinton van Niekerk: For your extraordinary courage in cooperating with authorities on money laundering and corruption investigations. Despite sacrificing your career, home, and normal life, your steadfast commitment to justice remains unwavering.
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Roshan Lil-Ruthan: For your leadership in exposing corruption, theft, and neglect of water infrastructure in Verulam and greater eThekwini. Your relentless advocacy, efforts and impact are profound and far-reaching.
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Bianca Goodson: As former CEO of Trillian Management, you courageously exposed the company’s corrupt dealings and its exploitation of political connections for government contracts, illuminating critical issues of state capture in South Africa.
Individual Whistleblower Excellence Award
Sherpa Whistleblower Support Award
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Prof. Mary De Haas: For your unwavering dedication to supporting whistleblowers facing state retaliation, providing vital financial, emotional, and advocacy assistance that ensures their safety and prevents harm to those at risk.
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John Clarke: For your tireless advocacy with the Amadiba Crisis Committee, successfully protecting the Xolobeni community from an Australian mining company and preserving their rights and land against destructive practices.
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Ben Theron: For your exceptional leadership in founding The Whistleblower House, your unwavering commitment has significantly advanced the organisation’s impact in championing and protecting whistleblowers' rights.
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Abahlali baseMjondolo: For fearlessly advocating for informal settlement residents' rights, you have endured severe retaliation and lost many members to assassinations. Your courage exemplifies an unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice
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The Whistleblower House: For being a vital lifeline for whistleblowers, providing financial, legal, and psychosocial support to them and their families, ensuring safety and protection throughout their journey for truth and justice.
Civil Society Champion Award
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Carte Blanche TV: For impactful journalism that highlights whistleblowers and their processes, consistently airing critical exposés that advocate for accountability and transparency while showcasing the courage of those who speak out.
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News24: For your commitment to addressing targeted killings of whistleblowers and advocates for the rule of law, illuminating these issues while advocating for safety and recognition, your journalism empowers the fight for justice
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Open Secrets: For tirelessly championing transparency and accountability, you’ve exposed corruption and empowered citizens. Your commitment to investigative journalism fosters a culture of whistleblowing, inspiring others to speak out against wrongdoing.
Investigative Journalism Award (Media House)
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Raymond Joseph: For your unwavering commitment to truth, tirelessly advocating for justice for wrongfully dismissed whistleblowers, and urging the National Lotteries Commission's new board to address these injustices with compassion and ethics.
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Karyn Maughan: For your enduring and distinguished contributions to legal journalism and investigative reporting. You have become a fearless and leading voice in South African journalism, underscoring your commitment to truth, transparency and justice.
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Deon Wiggett: For your courageous whistleblowing in exposing sexual abuse, your podcast investigations revealed heinous acts and paedophile patterns, empowering others to recognize and report suspicious behaviour, sparking vital conversations on accountability.
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Mark Heywood: For your fearless investigation into La Vie en Rose, a Mpumalanga company that defrauded SAPS of millions in Covid-19 PPE tenders, highlighting critical corruption and your commitment to accountability.
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Azarrah Karrim: For your dedication to uncovering the truth, your meticulously researched articles highlight how Sarika Lakraj flagged over R8 billion in irregular contracts and faced severe backlash for her whistleblowing efforts.
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Tebogo Tshwane and Dewald van Rensburg: For your groundbreaking investigative story "Ex-DG Mogajane and the Alleged VBS Bribe," which uncovers significant links to the Baphilile Foundation’s bank account, allegedly used to disguise the bribe.
Investigative Journalism Award (Individual)
Heroes of Integrity Award
Monwabisi Kalawe
For your steadfast commitment to ethical governance at SAA, particularly in ensuring proper controls over the wide-body aircraft procurement transaction by advocating for the appointment of transaction advisors despite undue political pressure from state capture actors.
Ismail Momoniat
For your unwavering dedication to fiscal integrity, defending National Treasury against the plunder of taxpayer funds and resisting State Capture.
Kuben Naidoo
For your decisive leadership as SARB Deputy Governor, taking swift action following the discovery of massive fraud at VBS and demanding accountability from those who benefited.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Our Partners.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed partners for their unwavering generosity and steadfast support of the Whistleblowers Awards & Summit initiative. Their commitment to our cause is the driving force behind this event's success. Their contributions not only help us honour the brave individuals who have championed ethical values but also advance the vital conversation around accountability and justice. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the world, and we are profoundly thankful for their partnership in this noble endeavour. Their support truly embodies the spirit of ethical citizenship and positive change.
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