As I’m sure you know by now that the 2010 SA Blog Awards are done and dusted. And I’m sure you also know that there was enough controversy to make the ANC proud. First, there was the weird way it was initially launched. Some people had complained that they only found out about it very late. Personally, I don’t see any other way it couldn’t been done. Secondly, there was the nomination and voting processes where there were some bugs. Then, there were judges (possible award winners that didn’t enter) that were dropped at the last second and left with nothing but twiddling thumbs. And lastly, there was the dinner which was by invitation only. While a high-profile dinner at an expensive restaurant is nice, what about the networking that this event is supposed to also be about? Now, I’m sure there are a million other things that may have caused a stir, but with all the arguing going on, how does SA blogging actually plan to get a positive view from the outside, never mind the people that are blogging for the pure enjoyment and satisfaction they get from it.
I mean, you only have to look around the web at the moment to see who’s been moaning about it. There have been winners, judges, non-nominees, and some non-bloggers have had their say too. There were one or two pearler of posts and even a great video of Hitler not being invited to the event. While I’m sure that a lot of the non-geeks would have no idea that all of this went on, and the blogging world is definitely a minority any way you look at it, but this will do nothing but shake things up.
Now, I don’t agree with all the things the 2010 organisers did, and how they managed everything, but, they did it. They hosted the event. They organised everything. My only hope it that they do pull finger and learn for next year, where it needs to be a 3,000% success. Never-the-less, congrats to all the winners and all involved to at least make the tequila taste good.
But the point is, with the way the Internet is in this country, as well as how small the grouping is, why the hell is everyone fighting? Does it come from all the agencies where there is already a lot of tension? Why must there always be politics involved? Why can’t people graciously accept defeat when they were beaten and not bitch and moan? Why does everyone’s ego get in the way?
Why can’t we all just get along…
I’m just glad my twitter stream isn’t cluttered with “please vote for me” tweets anymore.
Well said! Bloggers are already a tiny luniatic fringe… umm, I mean minority – if we can’t even be civil to each other, then how on earth do the awards work in raising the profile of SA blogging? We just look like a playground full of petulant children throwing sand at each other! Sure, there were some pretty glaring flaws in this year’s procedure, but respect to the organisers for pullig finger and organising; and to all the winners who had no hand in the process and should not be blamed for its shortcomings.
Apologies for the typos in the above… I really do know how to spell lunatic and pulling, I promise… 😉
all i want to say is every year certain agencies bloggers are in the finals and its smells of more stink than capetowngirl made about her not winning and award.
your blog is good so why bother enter.
cool post. the blogging community must just keep the fun and excitement in it.
You did a nice balanced overview of the SA Blog Awards. Here is mine: http://www.whalecottage.com/blog/cape-town/sa-blog-awards-2010-have-devalued-sa-blogging/
Good post. Very diplomatic. Personally, I hope you’re right about an impending
shake-up, although I think the blogger nostra are going to work hard to protect their turf.
If nothing else, we can enjoy the drama 🙂
@John – Hahaha.
@Jeanne – Exactly… And I’m *sure* you can 🙂
@Anon – Had to be said 🙂 Why would I like to enter? Because winning something and having people vote for because of my blog is something to make me feel that it’s actually being noticed.
@Craig – Totally agree.
@Chris – Already read your post. Was part of the reason I had to write too.
@Amod – We can only hope. The bigger egos are gonna always be harder to hit. Maybe they’ll realise one day.
I don’t have an issue with what Cape Town Girl is doing. I have an issue with the way she is doing it.
I thought it was hilarious that she lost.
At least it shut her up for 2 minutes.
Personally I got a bit flustered when I heard Richard Mulholland was upset with the voting process. But from what I can gather JP and the team took the awards further than they’ve ever been. Big up to them. I am honoured to have been runner up to a great team like http://www.memeburn.com
Certainly loads of controversy and sour grapes comments around the awards but on behalf of Wonkie I was really glad I attended the function. I got to meet my fellow bloggers which is the main reason why I went.. With most of our readers being black South Africans, we kind of miss the spotlight in the blogging community because we cater for a very different market to most of the blogs at the event.
Hopefully JP and the Blog Awards guys take on organising blogger meetups during the year on a more social level… I think that would really promote blogging much more than simply having an annual awards ceremony. It was great meeting you on Saturday 🙂
Hi Pratish
We run a Food & Wine Bloggers’ Club, and meet once a month, at the cost of R100 per meeting. On 20 October we have bloggers Simon Back from Backsberg and Tom Robbins from Eat Cape Town speaking to us from 6 – 8 pm at the Rainbow Room at Mandela Rhodes Place. Please e-mail me at info@whalecottage.com for details.
@Chris – thanks.. am based in Jhb though so will likely not make it over next month.. will definitely drop you a line before I’m next down that way to see if any events are on.. would be fun! Thanks 🙂
I flew out from South Korea to attend the awards and I had a great time and I’m really glad to have made the effort to attend the awards. Yes there were a few hiccups but i thought the event was really well run. Thanks to those people involved. I blog because I love it but I think that the awards can only be viewed as a more prestigious event if people start taking it more seriously. Some bloggers living in Cape Town did not even make the effort to attend, which I think is very sad (and kind of obnoxious). kudos too to Mark from the PharSide who made the trip out from London.
It was *not* a failure. I mean, I now know a whole new bunch of blogs that are great, which includes those from the new commenters above: Che, Pratish and Adin.
But you make a good point, you came all that way, and loved it, and people from here couldn’t even bother to attend.
The obnoxiousness is exactly what needs to change!
Aw, thanks dude. I am touched 🙂 Just to mention: I travelled from Bloem to CPT on an Intercape Mainliner – 16hrs (saw bum). So although not that far, it was hell! But not to sound all moany, I think perhaps the CPT guys have been before and become a little complacent. To be honest, I was a bit bummed for coming all that way and all I got was a diluted cocktail and some raw meat 😉 I dramatise, but at the end of the day, I can see why people aren’t keen, but from what I can hear it was a huge improvement from last year.
Personally I got a bit flustered when I heard Richard Mulholland was upset with the voting process. But from what I can gather JP and the team took the awards further than they’ve ever been. Big up to them. I am honoured to have been runner up to a great team like http://www.memeburn.com