IOL journalists Mervyn Naidoo and photojournalist Ayanda Ndamane were among the standout winners at the 2026 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, which celebrate excellence in South African media.The awards, hosted by SANEF and Standard Bank, drew over 400 entries, with judges praising the high quality and competitiveness of submissions.

Naidoo won the Hard News category for his article on a pharmacist’s tragic death, while Ndamane secured a win in news photography for his work on Hanover Park Rock.IOL Editor-in-Chief Lance Witten highlighted the team’s dedication to impactful storytelling, emphasizing their role in holding power to account.The event underscored South Africa’s vibrant journalism landscape, with narrow margins between finalists and winners in several categories.The recognition reflects IOL’s commitment to rigorous, fearless reporting across print, digital, and visual media.