AWARD FOR ZIM JOURNALIST IN SOUTH AFRICA!

Cross Border Association of Journalists(CAJ)

cajexiles@yahoo.co.uk

STATEMENT

Zimbabwean journalist based in South Africa, Zakeus Chibaya has won the
Honourable International Award for Solidarity with Refugees for excellence
journalism in exposing the ill-treatment of refugees and migrants and
highlighting the plight their in South Africa.

Chibaya, a correspondent for The Zimbabwean and Institute for War and Peace
Reporting has been reporting about refugee problems in South Africa under
difficult circumstances because of resources and environment.

Some of his stories on refugees have managed to attracted international
media attention. In one of the Special Reporting which was published by MO*
Magazine in Belgium and funded by The Pascal Decroos Fund for Investigative
Journalism, Chibaya, chronicled the problems facing refugees in South
Africa.

Chibaya, 30, is also the Secretary General for Cross Border Association of
Journalists, an organization for exiled journalists based in South Africa
which strives to create opportunities for exiles journalists to continue
with their profession in foreign land and a member of Forum for African
Investigative Reporters.

He is currently studying Honours in Journalism at Wits University.

"By attributing the International Award, the jury members have appreciated
and affirmed your commitment and dedication for the rights and betterment of
peoples as fundamentals of common well," said a statement from the jury.

The award will be conferred during the International Institute of Journalism
World Congress to be held in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada from 3 to 10 June
2007.The award is organized by International Institute of Journalism and
Communication and International Catholic Union of the Press.

"With little resource and media space I have managed to put the refugee
agenda on world map and I am happy it has been recognized. There is need for
further documentation of refugee problems and weed out the root problems,"
said Chibaya

The International Award for Solidarity with Refugees is awarded to media men
and women can play a great role in preventing civil disputes, conflicts and
wars which are among the first and major events that force people to leave
their home and even homeland.

Honouring and recognising media professionals who have campaigned for the
dignity and the rights of refugees as human beings, so that media men and
women worldwide commit themselves more and more to put an end to the refugee
phenomenon.

The international Award for Solidarity with Refugees is awarded to a
maximum of seven best entries and their authors from different parts of the
world. The awardees may be invited to be consultants on refugee problems
and to visit refugee camps and undertake activities in view of solving the
refugee crisis.

For more information

072 274 1065

Cross Border Association of Journalists

<cajexiles@yahoo.co.uk>