Mossel Bay Advertiser | Media expert to address NMMU Public Lecture

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Media expert to address NMMU Public Lecture
14:55 (GMT+2), Mon, 10 September 2012

SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - Yusuf Abramjee, renowned media expert, will be the speaker at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University's (NMMU) official Public Lecture to be hosted at the George Museum on 20 September. He will share his views on the captivating theme - "Freedom of Expression" with invited guests and members of the public.

Described as a "born news-hound, a pillar of his community" and a person who "continues to work tirelessly to ensure that wrongdoings are exposed, and to make our country a safer place", Abramjee's credentials bear testimony to his influence on the media landscape, and impact on society at large.

The now Primedia Broadcasting Head of News & Current Affairs and Primedia Group Head of Communications joined Talk Radio 702 as a freelance reporter in 1994, ahead of the first democratic elections. His accomplishments as a journalist led to his appointment as 702 and 567's crime editor in 1996 and over the years the name Yusuf Abramjee has become synonymous with breaking news.

A memorable career highlight which made national headlines and won him a number of awards, was when he managed to get the words: "I feel good" out of the notorious cash heist fugitive, Colin Chauke, when he left the court building only hours after being arrested. For three consecutive years Abramjee was named Journalist of the Year, Audio-visual Reporter of the Year and Radio Reporter of the Year for his variety of exclusive reports ranging from crime to politics.

He was appointed as Station Manager for 702 in 2001 and in 2005 took up the position as Primedia Broadcasting's group Head of News and Talk Programming.

It should come as no surprise that he was one of the founders of the successful Crime Line campaign which was officially launched with him at the helm in 2007.

Abramjee is the current Head of Crime Line and chairperson of both the South African Federation Against Copyright Theft and the National Press Club - a position which he had been re-elected to at least four times. He was the first person of colour to be elected chairperson of the National Press Club. Yusuf is also a member of the South African National Editors' Forum - SANEF.

He took the salute from the National Ceremonial Guard in May 2001 at Pretoria's Church Square for his contributions to the media.

His numerous other awards and accomplishments include:

"Security Personality of the Year" (September 2001), and "Personality of the Year" (September 2007) by the Security Association of South Africa, the latter being for the Crime Line Initiative;
"Leadership and Communicator of the Year" (June 2005) by the Pretoria 2000 Toastmasters;
SAPS top management award (2008) for contributing to the fight against crime, with particular reference to Crime Line. This was followed in 2010 by three top international media awards for Crime Line accepted at the Crime Stoppers International conference held in Canada; and a community service awards in 2011 from the Turquoise Harmony Institute related to Crime Line and his on-going work towards a safer South Africa.

Abramjee also plays a prominent role as founding member of Lead SA - a Primedia Broadcasting and Independent Newspapers initiative aimed at highlighting the achievements of the nation and celebrating the positive efforts of ordinary South Africans.

In November 2011 Abramjee added another accolade to his list of media accomplishments when he was named the Adfocus Newsmaker of the Year for his headline-grabbing efforts to assist in curbing the increase in police killings. This Lead SA initiative raised R2,1-million for the Police Widows and Orphans Fund and, together with his role as an ambassador for the plight of animals, earned him the recognition in January this year of both the Gauteng SAPS and the SPCA.

Driven by a strong moral compass, Abramjee accepted the position as chairman of the South African Federation Against Copyright Theft (SAFACT) despite a busy schedule. This non-profit organisation works closely with the authorities in an effort to clamp down on piracy in the movie and music industries.

He has also been at the forefront of challenges to government's Protection of Information Bill.

Members of the public who are interested in attending NMMU's Public Lecture in George are invited to contact the NMMU George Marketing and Corporate Relations Unit on 044 801 5111.
Bookings are essential as only a limited number of guests can be accommodated. The event will be preceded by a short performance by the NMMU George Choir.