Bloggers and the concept of blogging have become mainstream in SA. Experts argue that the country's top blogs can comfortably compare and even compete with their top international counterparts.
This comes as two months of voting and nominations for the SA Blog awards have come to a close and the top bloggers in various categories have been announced. Popular Afrikaans blog Watkykjy was named as the News 24 South African Blog of the Year.
World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck maintains that some of the best blogs that emerged from the awards can certainly compete on the international stage. He says that, while blogging is growing, so too is the blogging audience.
Robin Oliver, who judged the science and technology category, says he is proud that SA can hold its own in the blogosphere. “The inter-web has given us an age of communication we have never experienced before. I truly enjoyed the process of studying the finalists in depth and I am impressed that our SA bloggers are on par with the rest of the world.”
However, despite the positive development of the local blogging scene, executive judge of the SA Blog Awards Richard Mulholland says the process followed in selecting the top blogs has turned it into more of a popularity contest than a true reflection of top quality blogging sites.
Process criticism
Mulholland maintains that the country has a wealth of good quality blogging sites, but argues that level of public involvement in the judging process resulted in winners who don't necessarily reflect the best quality blogs.
But JP Naude, CEO of the SA Blog Awards, believes that the process is part of creating awareness for blogging in the country. “This year, we saw a record number of public votes entered, in fact an increase of more than 300%, which is partly due to the fact that we allowed more votes.
“This system allowed for the recognition of dedicated bloggers who blog more frequently. In addition, the new system has raised the level of awareness for blogging substantially,” he adds.
Mulholland explains that essentially the public votes for the winners in each category; he in turn chooses a winner from the finalists in each category. Mulholland, who is a notoriously strict judge, considered criteria such as consistency, creativity and overall personal enjoyment.
He suggests that, in future, the public vote should be open to the initial phase of identifying popular blogs, while the final judging phase would involve selecting a winner from approximately 10 nominees in each category.
Nonetheless, Naude believes the awards were a success. “There were some initial challenges with the judging phase, but they're confident that the public vote had ensured that the best blogs were recognised.”
“This year we've had more than 60 judges from various industries oversee the process. With their wealth of experience and knowledge of the blogosphere, I have no doubt that this year's winners are well deserving of their titles,” maintains Naude.
Mulholland questions whether the “Blog Awards” are even necessary. He maintains that bloggers should be satisfied with being able to share their thoughts and ideas with their readers without special recognition for it.
Category winners in 2010 are as follows:
Ogilvy Twitter Micro Blogger of the Year: http://twitter.com/mandyjwatson
The Ogilvy Best Media and Marketing Blog: www.cherryflava.com
The Kulula Best Travel Blog: www.getaway.co.za/page/blog
The Old Mutual Best Green Blog: www.sprig.co.za
The Evox Advanced Nutrition Best Sports Blog: www.paddlesweep.net
The UCT Graduate School of Business Best Blog: www.memeburn.com
The Havana Club Rum Best Blog Design: www.indieberries.blogspot.com
The Jameson Whisky Best Fashion Blog: www.kimgray.co.za
The Olmeca Edicion Black Best Music Blog: www.dontparty.co.za
The Best Parenting Blog: http://reluctantmom.wordpress.com
The Best Personal Blog: www.indieberries.blogspot.com
The Best Company Blog: www.rlabs.org
The Most Controversial Blog: www.2oceansvibe.co.za
The Best Indigenous Language Blog: www.watkykjy.co.za
The Best Group Blog: www.rlabs.org
The Best South African Podcast/Video Blog: www.zanews.co.za
The Best Science and Technology Blog: www.shesthegeek.co.za
The Best Food and Wine Blog: www.simply-delicious.co.za
The RE/MAX Best New Blog: www.simply-delicious.co.za
The Best Photographic Blog: www.guywithcamera.co.za
The Best Blog about Politics: www.wonkie.com
The Best Overseas South African Blog: www.pharside.co.uk
The Exclus1ves Best Entertainment Blog: www.2oceansvibe.co.za
Best Post on a SA Blog: www.brainwavez.org/screen/film/features/2009/20091001001-01.html
Best TV/Radio Blog: www.ecr.co.za/kagiso/content/en/east-coast-radio/east-coast-radio-blogs-breakfast
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