By Cliff Shiko and Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
He is known in the journalism industry as BEAST_OF_NEWS. And Everson Luhanga, Editor at Large for Scrolla.Africa, has been recognized yet again by the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in the Breaking news/Live Reporting category.
If his dedication to the industry was not acknowledged, it would be a surprise to many legendary figures in the media industry.
Many of the so-called mainstream media houses in the country learn from the BEAST_OF_NEWS about what is happening in different parts of the country. Some get their daily dairies from his buzzing twitter account (@EversonLuhanga).
His contact base is something every journalist yearns to have. The Beast seems to know every community leader in every corner of the country who gives him verified and credible news information.
Alex Reporter had a conversation with the man himself from a location he didn’t disclose, but was still able to talk to us about his accomplishments. This is the journalist who thoroughly verifies information with the authorities before putting it out there.
Everson said his love for the industry gives him energy to wake up everyday and chase the news. “Journalism is a passion-driven career. You don’t wake up one morning with no money and want to start practicing journalism. You need to love it first,” he said.
BEAST_OF_NEWS who is the editor at large for an online media platform, Scrolla.Africa, (www.scrolla.africa) said this year’s recognition by the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards is a morale booster. “Last year (2022) was one of the best years in my career as a journalist. I worked very hard,” he said.
In 2022, Everson broke the horrible story of Krugersdorp gang rape. He was the first to report on the acquittal of charges against 14 suspects arrested in connection with the gang rape.
Luhanga was also the first to tell a story that a former police officer was among the film crew members at the disused mine in Krugersdorp where the young girls were abused.
He also broke the story of six sex workers who were found murdered in the Johannesburg CBD. He secured an exclusive interview with the father of the suspect who told the nation through his (Luhanga’s) reporting that his son acted in revenge.
He also broke a series of unfortunate events in Diepsloot and Alexandra where thugs have been terrorising the community members of these two Gauteng townships. In revenge, community members retaliated by hunting down the suspects and burning them alive.
These and many other stories have earned him recognition.
BEAST_OF_NEWS investigated and was the first journalist to publish the story of a convicted serial killer police officer Rosemary Nomia Ndlovu on Scrolla.Africa. He is a leading journalist on a three part documentary series on ShowMax on Rosemary Ndlovu.
“It’s very hard to compete with people who absolutely love what they do. I lead, others follow, ” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Previously he has worked for Daily Sun where he won three awards
He moved to work in the television sector and several international media houses as a fixer.
Among other achievements include: 2015 Media24 Online Hit of the Year Legend Award,
2016 Media24 Legend Awards finalist,
2016 Winner in the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards,
2017 Winner of the Daily Sun Story of the Year Award,
2018 Nominated for the Standard Bank Rising Star Awards,
2020 awarded by South African National Defence Force for a great coverage on Covid-19.
