Winners

Tanya Farber takes a brave step in this disturbing two-part piece and profiles a perpetrator of so-called ‘corrective rape’ – a violent sexual crime that aims to ‘correct’ sexual orientation. Focusing on South Africa and published in the Cape Times, the work draws attention to persistent homophobic attitudes as well as other societal prejudice.

Farber questions institutional and societal accountability in South Africa and forces the reader to reflect on how both rape and homosexuality are regarded. By exploring the motivation and belief-system of a perpetrator, the article offers valuable insights into this shocking crime and puts a human face on a problem ignored by many.

This tenacious, investigative piece, published in The New Crusading Guide, deals with the violation of human rights and focuses on a childcare centre in Ghana. Following a seven-month investigation, Anas exposes the shocking betrayal of trust that has resulted in the injury and death of numerous vulnerable children in state care.

Anne Nzouankeu and publisher Le Jour took considerable risks in broaching the subject of the treatment of homosexuals in Cameroon. A highly sensitive issue, Nzouankeu breaks a taboo by highlighting human rights abuses, from beatings and hefty fines to the lack of access to healthcare and imprisonment. The article generated a record number of reader responses, albeit mostly negative, whilst spurring a local radio debate on the decriminalisation of homosexuality.