BEST IN AFRICA!
The Siemens Profile Awards, launched in 2003 to highlight the role of journalism in the development and growth of science and technology in South Africa, has grown into a Pan-African award of significant proportions.

In April 2010, an Urban Green File article titled “Solar water-heater shoot-out”, written by Hillary Erasmus was chosen as the best piece of science and technology journalism published in Africa in the last year, at these awards.

Erasmus was chosen as the winner from more than 370 entries received throughout Africa. Entries were received in a range of media varying from television, radio, newspapers and consumer magazines to trade journals.

“Solar water-heater shoot-out” involved extensive research into the solar water heating and energy-efficient space heating solutions submitted by three suppliers for a case-study project in Johannesburg. Erasmus analysed the viability and costs of the proposed technologies in order to provide architects and property developers with insight into alternative energy solutions.

Urban Green File is honoured to be acknowledged for the best science and technology article in Africa. Apart from Erasmus’s brilliant research and writing, a team of dedicated staff needs to be acknowledged, including sub-editor Edith Webster, the graphics team of Mpho Mokgethi and Christelle Jordaan, editorial manager David Poggiolini and editor Gerald Garner. Mention must also be made of green building specialist Eric Noir who posed the idea of the article to Urban Green File and who gave input into the analysis of the three proposals discussed in the article.

Published: April 2010