"If your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon," according to British playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard. This sentiment is echoed by Thabiso Moss, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU) and a senior journalist at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Thabiso's outstanding work was recognised when he won the Politics category of the 2024 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards for the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo region. He achieved this honour for his collaboration with Sello Mogopa, on the story “Tlokwe local municipality”. The awards ceremony took place in Gqeberha on 3 October 2024, encompassing 12 categories that attracted more than 1 200 submissions from journalists nationwide.

Thabiso, often called the “lion of the airways” for his fearlessness in asking tough questions, said receiving the regional Vodacom award underscores the values of diligence, commitment and fortitude.

His advice to up-and-coming journalists and journalism students is to be passionate about journalism, read extensively and do thorough research in crafting compelling stories.

Thabiso is now gearing up for the national awards on 7 November, when he and other regional winners will be in contention for the National Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards.

A panel of judges will choose the winners after a thorough analysis of the submissions. National category winners will receive R10 000 in prize money, and the overall Vodacom Journalist of the Year titleholder will receive R100 000.

We’re holding thumbs for Thabiso.

More about Thabiso

Thabiso graduated from the NWU in 2008 with a BA in communication, majoring in journalism, public relations, marketing and advertising. He joined the SABC in March 2016 and produced and presented the current affairs show Tsele le Tsele until last year when he was appointed as a senior journalist doing fieldwork for radio and television.

NWU alumnus Thabiso Moss won the Politics category of the 2024 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards for the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Limpopo region.