Nominations for the Whistleblowers Awards 2025 Closing Soon

MEDIA STATEMENT

Johannesburg, Monday, 22 September 2025 — With exactly one week left before nominations close, Public Interest SA is delighted to announce that interest in this year’s Whistleblowers Awards has surpassed even our most ambitious expectations.

We are especially excited by the overwhelming response to the two newly introduced categories — the Digital Courage Award and the Climate Action Award.

The Digital Courage Award recognises bold and innovative use of digital platforms to promote transparency, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers. This category has already attracted nominations of emerging thought leaders and influencers who are advancing public accountability, transparency, and ethical citizenship — a sign of the growing engagement of South Africa’s youth in the body politic.

The Climate Action Award celebrates individuals who have courageously exposed environmental wrongdoing, climate-related corruption, or violations of sustainability regulations. The strong interest in this category highlights the urgency of climate accountability in South Africa and beyond.

These new categories complement an already distinguished line-up of awards to be presented at a gala dinner event on 27 October 2025 at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg:

• Whistleblower Excellence Award

• Investigative Journalism Excellence Award

• Whistleblower Champion Award

• Sherpa Award for Whistleblower Support

• Hero of Integrity Award

• Fallen Hero of Integrity Award

Tebogo Khaas, Chairperson of Public Interest SA, said:

“We are humbled by the breadth and quality of nominations received so far. These awards are not merely about recognition; they are about affirming the courage of ordinary men and women who choose truth over silence, integrity over complicity, and accountability over impunity. We call upon the public to continue nominating whistleblowers, as well as the journalists who tirelessly and bravely shine a light on wrongdoing. Together, we can nurture a culture of institutional courage that strengthens our democracy.”

For more information about the awards categories and nomination process, please click here.

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