The National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has officially recognised journalists Andrew Viano, Taonga Sabola and Blessings Cheleuka as winners of the inaugural NOCMA Best Petroleum Reporter of the Year category under the MISA Malawi Awards, reaffirming the company’s commitment to promoting excellence and professionalism in journalism.
The category, which was introduced in partnership with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, seeks to encourage in-depth research, informed reporting and greater public understanding of issues affecting the petroleum sector, one of the country’s strategic industries.
Each winner received a cash prize of MK1.5 million, sponsored by NOCMA, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to energy sector journalism and their efforts in producing stories that have helped inform Malawians on matters relating to fuel supply, energy security and developments within the petroleum industry.
Speaking during the recognition ceremony, NOCMA Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Emmanuel Matapa, said the award reflects the company’s appreciation of the important role the media plays in promoting transparency and ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and reliable information.
“At NOCMA, we recognise that a well-informed public is essential to the growth and sustainability of the energy sector. Through this award, we want to encourage journalists to invest in research and produce factual, balanced and insightful stories that contribute to national development and enhance public understanding of the petroleum industry,” said Matapa.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of entries received during the inaugural edition and announced that the initiative will become an annual event.
“This is only the beginning. We intend to make this an annual award and, over time, grow it into an even bigger platform that will attract more participation and further promote specialised reporting on the petroleum sector. Our vision is to see more journalists developing expertise in energy reporting because quality journalism is critical to fostering accountability and supporting the country’s development agenda,” he said.
Matapa added that NOCMA remains committed to strengthening its relationship with the media and creating opportunities that encourage professionalism and excellence in reporting.
MISA Malawi Chairperson, Mr. Felix Washoni, commended NOCMA for introducing the category, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in the promotion of specialised journalism in Malawi.
“The petroleum sector is highly technical and strategic, and therefore requires journalists who are willing to go beyond routine reporting and undertake in-depth research. We commend NOCMA for recognising the important role of the media and for creating a platform that rewards excellence and encourages professionalism among journalists,” said Washoni.
He said the initiative would motivate media practitioners to produce quality stories that promote transparency and contribute to informed public debate on issues affecting the country’s energy sector.
“This partnership demonstrates that the private and public sectors can work together with the media to strengthen journalism and ultimately benefit society. We hope to see this initiative grow and inspire more journalists to pursue specialised reporting,” he added.
The inaugural winners, Andrew Viano, Taonga Sabola and Blessings Cheleuka, were recognised for producing outstanding stories that demonstrated depth, accuracy and relevance in reporting on petroleum and energy-related matters.
By introducing the NOCMA Best Petroleum Reporter of the Year Award, NOCMA has taken a significant step towards fostering a culture of excellence in energy journalism while strengthening collaboration between the petroleum industry and the media.
The company believes that informed and professional reporting is key to promoting transparency, enhancing public awareness and supporting Malawi’s quest for sustainable energy security. With plans to expand the initiative in the coming years, NOCMA hopes the award will become one of the country’s premier platforms for recognising excellence in specialised journalism.
