Nominations open for SAB media awards for environmentalism

JOHANNESBURG -- The South African Breweries (SAB) today announced the "SAB Environmental Media & Environmentalist of the Year Awards 2012."
The competition, which is now in its 24th year, applauds and rewards those members of the media who excel in highlighting natural and ecological matters, urban concerns or "green and brown issues" in South Africa today.
Robyn Chalmers, Corporate Communications head for SAB, says: "We take environmental issues very seriously and this competition is our way of acknowledging those who are at the forefront of helping raise the profile of such matters with the public."
"Last year we promised to evolve the Awards in line with our undertaking to ensure they conform to global best practice. This year, we will be moving the awards entry process online. This means that entrants can register and upload their entries on the awards portal and our judges can login, download and score. The entire system will be audited to ensure transparency and will be much simpler for all."
Another innovation this year is to ask for nominations and motivations for the "SAB Environmentalist of the Year" from the media and general public. Something that Mr Chalmers believes is a great way to get other stakeholders involved in the competition.
"Until now, this award was in the hands of our judges, and we wanted to take it broader. This year we will to invite members of the public, media and environmental awareness fraternity to email through the names of those they believe should win this accolade to SABenviromedia@za.sabmiller.com," he said.
"As public awareness about environment issues grows, we as a company believe it is vitally important that stories about the environment continue to be publicised in a bold and compelling manner which has integrity. We are honoured to recognise and reward those who do so," Mr Chalmers added.

Entries for the SAB Environmental Media & Environmentalist of the Year open at 8am on Wednesday, 1st August 2012 and close at 5pm on Friday, 17th August 2012. Winners will be announced at an Awards Breakfast on Thursday, 27th September 2012.