Pretoria, 24 October 2024 – Last night, the Whistleblowers Awards 2024 gala dinner, hosted at the prestigious Maslow Hotel Time Square in Menlyn, honoured individuals and organisations who have displayed extraordinary courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice. The event drew 250 distinguished guests, including high-profile leaders and advocates for transparency and accountability.
The keynote address, delivered by Honourable Justice Mahube Molemela, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, captivated the audience with its profound insights into the essential role whistleblowers play in defending democracy. Justice Molemela's words echoed throughout the evening, inspiring attendees and affirming the importance of supporting those who risk their lives and careers to expose wrongdoing.
Among the distinguished guests were Honourable General (retired) Bantu Holomisa, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, and Justice Johan Kriegler, retired Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Both guests are long-standing advocates of justice and ethical governance, further highlighting the significance of this celebration of integrity.
In a special recognition segment, Ismail Momoniat, former Deputy Director General of the Treasury; Kuben Naidoo, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank; and Monwabisi Kalawe, former CEO of South African Airways (SAA), were conferred with the Heroes of Integrity Award for their exceptional contributions to public service and their resolute stand against corruption.
The event celebrated a remarkable list of honourees, whose tireless efforts have advanced transparency, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers across various sectors. Below is a summary of the 2024 honourees:
Investigative Journalism Award – Individual
Raymond Joseph – For unwavering advocacy for wrongfully dismissed whistleblowers and urging the National Lotteries Commission to embrace ethical reform.
Karyn Maughan – For distinguished contributions to legal journalism, becoming a fearless voice in South African investigative reporting.
Deon Wiggett – For courageously exposing sexual abuse through investigative podcasts, sparking critical conversations about accountability.
Mark Heywood – For fearless investigations into fraudulent Covid-19 PPE tenders, holding public officials accountable for their misconduct.
Azarrah Karrim – For her thorough reporting on Sarika Lakraj’s whistleblowing on R8 billion in irregular contracts, shedding light on systemic corruption.
Tebogo Tshwane and Dewald van Rensburg – For their investigative work on the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, exposing financial misconduct at high levels.
Individual Whistleblower Excellence Award
Danielle Walker – For exposing a suspected predator in the education system, upholding accountability and protecting vulnerable students.
Clinton van Niekerk – For cooperating with authorities to expose money laundering and corruption, at great personal cost.
Roshan Lil-Ruthan – For his efforts to expose corruption in water infrastructure management, bringing much-needed attention to public service delivery failures.
Bianca Goodson – For exposing Trillian Management’s corrupt dealings, contributing to uncovering state capture in South Africa.
Sherpa Whistleblower Support Award
Prof. Mary De Haas – For her unwavering dedication to supporting whistleblowers facing retaliation, ensuring their safety through vital advocacy.
John Clarke – For his work with the Amadiba Crisis Committee, protecting vulnerable communities from destructive mining practices.
Ben Theron – For founding The Whistleblower House and championing the rights and protection of whistleblowers in South Africa.
Civil Society Champion Award
Abahlali baseMjondolo – For defending the rights of informal settlement residents in the face of severe retaliation, exemplifying social justice.
The Whistleblower House – For providing critical legal, financial, and psychosocial support to whistleblowers, ensuring their safety throughout their fight for truth.
Investigative Journalism Award – Media House
Carte Blanche TV – For impactful journalism that highlights whistleblowers' stories, advocating for accountability and transparency in public life.
News24 – For shining a light on the targeted killings of whistleblowers, raising awareness of the dangers faced by those who expose corruption.
OpenSecrets – For championing investigative journalism that fosters a culture of transparency, empowering citizens to speak out against corruption.
The 2024 Whistleblowers Awards celebrated not only the resilience and bravery of these honourees but also reinforced the critical role they play in safeguarding democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. The event concluded with a strong sense of purpose as all in attendance reaffirmed their commitment to protecting whistleblowers and fostering a culture of integrity.
Public Interest SA congratulates all honourees and thanks the distinguished guests for their continued support of whistleblowers and the cause of justice.
Acknowledgements
Public Interest SA extends its sincere gratitude to Eskom Holdings for their unwavering support. The Whistleblowers Awards & Summit is a fitting complement to Eskom’s anti-corruption initiatives, reflecting its strong commitment to safeguarding and empowering those who bravely expose misconduct.
The generous and unwavering support for this event aligns with Eskom's objectives of collaborating with civil society organisations that are fighting corruption by improving transparency and accountability, particularly in advancing whistleblower support.
Public Interest South Africa acknowledges the members of the Whistleblower Support Platform for Reform (WSPR), a multi-stakeholder partnership, for the technical, conceptual and strategic communications support throughout the development process of this initiative.
For further information, please contact:
Public Interest SA
Tel: +27 (0) 10 005 5884
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