About this opportunity
Most regional integration work happens far from the cameras, and the journalists who explain it to their own communities rarely get paid for the effort. The SADC Media Awards exist to change that, one story at a time.
The Southern African Development Community Secretariat has officially launched the 2027 edition of the awards, first established in 1996. There are four categories, Photo, Print, Television and Radio Journalism, and each one carries a first prize of US$2,500 and a runner up prize of US$1,000. The awards recognise originality, accuracy, depth of research and impact in reporting on SADC and on regional cooperation and integration.
Entry is open to journalists from all sixteen SADC Member States, namely Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Winners are honoured at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will be held in Zambia.
To enter, you collect the entry form and the competition rules from your SADC National Media Coordinator or from the SADC website, type all the required details into the form, and submit the completed entry to your national coordinator. The closing date for entries is 28 February 2027.
What you receive
- First prize of US$2,500 in each of the four categories
- Runner up prize of US$1,000 in each category
- Recognition at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Zambia
- A continental platform for work that already reaches your own community
- Entry is free and open to photo, print, television and radio journalism
Who can apply
- Journalists from all SADC Member States
- Member States covered are Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
- Work must fall into one of the four categories, Photo, Print, Television or Radio Journalism
- Reporting should address SADC and matters relating to regional cooperation and integration
- Entries are judged on excellence, originality, accuracy, depth of research and impact
Who should not apply
- The provider does not list journalists outside SADC Member States as eligible
- Entries must be submitted through the SADC National Media Coordinator in your Member State, not to the Secretariat directly
- Completed forms must be typed, not handwritten
Documents to prepare
- Completed SADC Media Awards Competition 2027 entry form, all details typed in
- The published work being entered, in the format your category requires
- Competition rules, available from your SADC National Media Coordinator or the SADC website
How to apply
- Read the 2027 SADC Media Awards launch notice and the competition rules on the SADC website
- Obtain the entry form from your SADC National Media Coordinator or from the SADC website
- Type all the required information into the entry form
- Prepare the work you are entering in the format your category requires
- Submit the completed entry form to your respective SADC National Media Coordinator by 28 February 2027
Selection process
- Entries are received and handled by the SADC National Media Coordinators in each Member State
- Work is assessed on excellence, originality, accuracy, depth of research and impact in reporting on SADC and regional integration
- A first prize and a runner up prize are named in each of the four categories
- Winners of the 2027 awards are announced at the Opening Ceremony of the 47th SADC Summit in Zambia
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- True Story Award 2027 for Longform Journalism
An international journalism prize of USD 20,000 in each of three categories, open to reporters worldwide, with a World I route that covers Africa and the Middle East and a deadline of 31 October 2026.
Questions applicants ask
How much is the prize?
The first prize winner in each of the four categories receives US$2,500, and the runner up in each category receives US$1,000.
Which countries can enter?
Journalists from all sixteen SADC Member States, including Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Where do I send my entry?
Completed entry forms go to your respective SADC National Media Coordinator in your Member State. The list of coordinators is published on the SADC website.
When is the deadline?
Entries must reach your SADC National Media Coordinator by 28 February 2027.
When are the winners announced?
During the Opening Ceremony of the 47th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in the Republic of Zambia.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
