In handing over the award to Mr Saine, Likezo Kayonga, deputy Managing Director of the Post Newspaper, thanked Mr Saine for accepting the invitation by the Post Newspaper. She said the two papers can work closely in solidarity, shared vision, and assistance.
Fred M’Membe, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Post Newspaper and World Press Freedom Hero, said African journalists should support one another for the betterment of their field.
“I and Pap Saine have the same vision for press freedom, fighting injustice and representing the voice of the voiceless,” Mr M’Membe said.
He asserted that The Point and the Post are the same family and whatever the management of the Post could do they would do to advance the cause of both papers and the profession.
In response, Mr Saine said: “I am humbled and delighted to receive a rousing welcome from the Management and staff of the Post and to receive an award from one of the vibrant and leading newspapers in East Africa.”
He also appealed to all African journalists to work in close collaboration as well as support one another as and when necessary.
Prior to the honour and award bestowed on him in Zambia, Mr Saine, on the twin occasion, was honoured and awarded in South Africa by the International Press Institute (IPI), a Vienna-based Global Network for free media in over 120 countries.
A historic IPI Book was launched in honour of Mr Saine and nine other African Press Freedom Heroes, for their promotion of ethical journalism, press freedom and human rights in society.
The book was launched on 12 April 2014 in Cape Town. The Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, who presided over the launching, congratulated the recipients for a remarkable job done over the years that culminated into them being given such a high-profiled honour and award. She wished them success in their career and profession.
This is the second time IPI has honored Mr Saine. In 2010 he was awarded World Press Freedom Hero. The World Press Freedom Heroes are 65 in the world and 10 in Africa, including Mr Saine.
Mr Saine thanked the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Post Newspaper, for their solidarity, foresight and objective judgment of the state of affairs of journalism in the world.
He also applauded the Post: “I was very impressed by the modern printing equipment of the Post, the structure of their building and offices and the plant.
“I learned a lot during my 3 days. The Post Newspaper, besides their resources in advertisement and sales, engages in other businesses such as business online, transporting goods with their 48 trucks which carry their newspapers in the 10 regions of Zambia and also giving convey service, transporting goods to Zambia, South Africa and Botswana.
“They have very good printing facility and well-trained staff for the whole company. The Managing Director of the company, Mr M’Membe, says any income they realize in the business a great portion of it goes to improving the living condition of their one thousand staff members.”
Mr Saine also thanked the managements and staffs of West Coast radio, Foroyaa and The Standard newspapers for their coverage of his award.
