By Tshifhiwa Mudau
The Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest daily tabloid published by Media24, has been crowned Publisher of the Year at the 2025 Bookmark Awards, winning the coveted Black Pixel under the editorship of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) alumnus, Amos Mananyetso. The awards took place on 15 August 2025, demonstrating both the publication’s influence and Mananyetso’s leadership in the country’s media landscape.
Born in Stinkwater, Pretoria, Mananyetso’s love for storytelling started in the late 1990s when he studied journalism at the then Technikon Pretoria (now TUT). He credits the institution for nurturing his writing talent and creating the space where his passion first took root. While still a student, he contributed to a community newspaper in Atteridgeville and Pretoria’s western suburbs, an experience that gave him the confidence to pursue journalism full-time.
Over the years, he worked at some of South Africa’s leading media houses, gaining valuable industry experience before rising to lead one of the country’s most competitive newsrooms. Reflecting on his journey, he said: “There were times when people doubted whether I could do the work, but because of the experience and knowledge I had, I always delivered.”
Alongside his career growth, Mananyetso continued his studies, completing a BTech degree at TUT, a qualification in sports administration and several short courses. His dedication to lifelong learning strengthened his adaptability in an evolving media landscape.
Under his editorship, the Daily Sun has earned multiple accolades for its storytelling and digital innovation, including:
- Gold in Video Content and Campaign
- Gold in Publisher Site (Mass Appeal)
- Silver in Public Sites (Mass Appeal)
- Silver in Social Media Content and Campaigns (WhatsApp Channel)
- Bronze in Live Event Content for the 2024 May elections coverage
Looking back, Mananyetso credits TUT for instilling the values of hard work, persistence and a commitment to authentic storytelling. “The lessons I learned at TUT still guide me today,” he said. “We need to go back to the basics of telling real stories and give a voice to the voiceless.”
His rise from student journalist to award-winning editor is an inspiration to young media professionals, showing how passion and dedication can turn storytelling into national impact.
Amos Mananyetso, TUT alum and editor of the Daily Sun, South Africa’s biggest daily tabloid published by Media24, that has been crowned Publisher of the Year at the 2025 Bookmark Awards.