Odette Schwegler is no stranger to accolades – she’s already chalked up 14, and we anticipate many more.
However her recent inclusion in SA’s ‘Top 40 under 40’ media list is particularly exciting because it recognises the level of dedication it takes to make a real impact in the industry within a short space of time. Although she laughingly assures us that at 39, she just slid in under the bar, her portfolio speaks of a dedication to her craft that few can admit to.
Covering everyone from media strategists, planners and sales people to journalists and cartoons, selection criteria include everything from the amount of money you can generate, the influence you have over the public, your ability to get the most out of your team or simply having a nose for a great story and the ability to uncover information that others can’t.
This year almost 200 people were nominated, making Odette’s position a real coup. The award described her as a multi award-wining journalist whose ‘behind-the-scenes’ investigations on M-Net’sCarte Blanche have exposed government corruption, child abuse and environmental crimes. At just 35, Odette has already researched, directed and produced over 100 mini-documentaries. No small feat when you consider that she is also a mother of four children.
“Odette is an accomplished journalist with a meticulous track record in research and production. She has been behind some of Carte Blanche’s most important investigative stories… She is able to tell the South African story with pathos and humour and is undoubtedly one of our top television journalist,” says Jessica Pitchford, Carte Blanche managing editor.
Others on the list include:
Marc Ashton. Editor of Finweek. Age: 31
Adriaan Basson. Assistant editor at City Press. Age: 32
Chris Botha. Group managing director at The MediaShop. Age: 35
Celia Collins. Deputy managing director of Starcom MediaVest Group. Age: 38
Minette Ferreira. General manager of Daily Sun, Sunday Sun and City Press. Age: 35
Kevin Fine. General manager at Jacaranda FM. Age: 39
Stephen Grootes. Talk Radio 702 and 567 CapeTalk presenter, EWN senior political journalist and contributing editor. Age: 37
Erica Gunning. Managing director of the MEC Group. Age: 36
Sazi Hadebe. Editor of Isolezwe. Age: 38
Adrian Hewlett. Founder of The Habari Group and MACHINE. Age: 36
Natasha Joseph. News editor at City Press. Age: 31
Katy Katopodis. Editor-in-chief of Eyewitness News. Age: 37
Lisa Leach. Director of strategy at OMD South Africa. Age: 34
Annie Malan. CEO of Annie Malan Promotions. Age: 38
Ian Manning. CEO of MediaCom. Age: 39
Craig Mckune. Investigative reporter at the Mail & Guardian amaBhungane investigative unit. Age: 32
Mpumelelo Mkhabela. Editor of the Sowetan. Age: 35
Chris Maroleng. Editor of eNews Channel Africa and host of Africa 360. Age: 35
Aisha Mohammed. Station manager of 5FM. Age: 32
Peter Monaise. Partner responsible for digital and invention at Mindshare. Age: 38
Melini Moses. Senior reporter and news anchor at SABC. Age: 32
Jeremy ‘Jerm’ Nell. Cartoonist at Eyewitness News. Age: 33
Elton Ollerhead. Managing director at Mediamark. Age: 38
Verashni Pillay. Deputy editor of the Mail & Guardian Online. Age: 29
Sean Press. CEO of Contact Media and Communications. Age: 32
Julian Rademeyer. Investigative journalist and author. Age: 37
Julie Reid. Media analyst and academic at Unisa. Age: 33
Seamus Reynolds. Channel news editor at eNCA. Age: 36
Mandy Rossouw. Media24 group international correspondent and EWN senior political reporter. Age: 33 (sadly Mandy died on 10 March 2013)
Wadim Schreiner. Founder and shareholder of Media Tenor South Africa. Age: 38
Darren ‘Whackhead’ Simpson. 94.7 Highveld Stereo presenter. Age: 34
Gary Stroebel. CEO of Central Media Group. Age: 39
Redi Tlhabi. Talk Radio 702 and 567 CapeTalk presenter, TV host, columnist and author. Age: 34
Alita Van Der Walt. Editor of Farmer’s Weekly. Age: 35
Izelle Venter. Editor of YOU, Huisgenoot and DRUM. Age: 37
Kim Weissensee. Founder and managing director of Applied Media Logic. Age: 35
Ryan Williams. Head of Cinemark in SA and Primedia Business Solutions. Age: 34
Kate Wilson. Editor of Women’s Health. Age: 37
Riaan Wolmarans. Digital executive editor of BDLive and Business Day. Age: 38
