MyBroadband's Wikus Steyn Honored with the Gauteng Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award

MyBroadband's very own Wikus Steyn has risen above his peers to secure the prestigious Gauteng Vodacom Journalist of the Year award. Recognized in the innovation category, Steyn's achievement highlights the essential role of comprehensive journalism in enhancing industry standards and consumer knowledge.

The Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, standing as a testament to outstanding journalism, are now celebrating their second decade of acknowledging journalistic excellence. The awards shine a spotlight on South African journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary skill, dedication, and integrity in their craft.

Embarking on a mobile network quality testing venture, Steyn set out to subject South Africa's mobile networks to critical evaluation. Covering over 10,000 kilometers and conducting 93,912 calls that accumulated more than 41,000 minutes, his effort is a monumental example of investigative research.

The intensive data that emerged from Steyn's fieldwork was meticulously analyzed with regard to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) standards, culminating in a detailed report of each mobile operator's performance across various regions. The compelling findings not only informed consumers but also provided valuable feedback for operators aspiring to meet and exceed regulatory benchmarks.

Putting his insights into the public domain, Steyn authored a series of articles that propelled the conversation on mobile network quality into the mainstream. The remarkable depth and outreach of his work did not go unnoticed, as his findings were picked up and disseminated by numerous other media entities, further amplifying the impact of his research.

Admiring both the scale and originality of Steyn's project, the judges rewarded his outstanding contribution to journalism with the sought-after Gauteng Vodacom Journalist of the Year award. This is not the first time MyBroadband journalists have been recognized; editor Jan Vermeulen triumphed in the investigative journalism category in 2020 with his groundbreaking examination into IP address fraud. Moreover, Myles Illidge earned accolades as a finalist for the 2023 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards for his coverage of the Department of Justice's ransomware predicament.

Jan Vermeulen voiced his gratitude towards Vodacom for acknowledging and fostering high-quality journalism, as well as the judicious examination from the award panel in recognizing Steyn's technical investigation. Praising Steyn as a remarkable researcher and journalist, Vermeulen hailed the network quality testing initiative as one of the most comprehensive projects globally led by a media firm, reflecting glory upon the journalistic profession.

Wikus Steyn's Vodacom Journalist of the Year award is a resounding affirmation of MyBroadband’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of journalism, and serves as a benchmark for all media practitioners aspiring to push the boundaries of traditional reporting. It is a momentous instance when meticulous reporting not only informs but also contributes to the enhancement of industry standards in South Africa.