The award according to a senior official of Cetel was to encourage excellence in reporting African Arts and Culture throughout the continent which the official says was in line with the company’s policy and commitment in developing African talents.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Phillip Guyon who is the Brand Director of Celtel noted that his company was proud to be part of a significant event like the one in question.

“We are very excited that in this year’s award a good number of winners are from countries where Celtel operates,” he was quoted to have said. Celtel will constantly endeavour to abide by its commitment in making life better for people worldwide, he added.

The CNN Multi-choice Awards he went on, was an excellent way of supporting the growth and potential of the media industry throughout Africa. “We at Celtel believe that the media play a major role in the development of Africa and deserve to be recognized in such a big way”, he concluded.

The ground winner of this year’s CNN Multi-Choice Africa Journalist Award held on the 21st July 2007 is a Ugandan Journalist, Mr. Richard M. Kamlluma of the Weekly Observer. Mr. Kammlluma reports say, had written series of articles on the county’s performance on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He is expected to receive a handsome cash prize as well as to visit CNN Centre in Atlanta, USA.

For Arts and Culture, Diana Lucas from South Africa who produced a feature article for Carte Blanche, a popular television programme that is aired weekly on M-Net across Africa emerged as winner. She was awarded for her inspiring television feature in which she narrated the story of how the Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in South Africa.

Other winners from countries in which Celtel operates includes, Albert Gacgiri and Stephen Mwei both from the Kenyan National Television Cooperation.