Jessica Pitchford was awarded a cash prize of 4000 Euros for her story Guns for Sale ' which was broadcast under Special Assignment' by SABC3 on 10 October 2006, with Dudley Saunders & Ivan Oberholzer on cameras. According to the judges 'Guns For Sale' , a revelation on just how easy it is to buy illegal firearms in South Africa, was particularly strong in terms of its newsworthiness and its demonstration of initiative, perseverance and bravery as well as displaying all the qualities of excellent investigative journalism.

The judges awarded Pilirani Phiri for his entry 'Food for Sale' in Prisons broadcast on Zodiak Radio in June 2006 because the story stood out, especially in displaying initiative in bringing to the attention of the public an issue of significant corruption in a state institution. Phiri's entry exposed the sale of food to prisoners in Malawi's Maula prison. Phiri wins a cash prize of 2000 Euros and a scholarship to the tune of 6000 Euros to help him further develop his investigative journalism skills.

MISA inaugurated the John Manyarara Investigative Journalism Awards on May 3, 2001 after identifying investigative journalism as an important field of expertise, which is much needed in Southern Africa. The awards are given to encourage investigative journalism and to award excellence in the genre. The awards are in honor of retired Judge John Oliver Manyarara, the founding Chairperson of the MISA Trust Fund Board (TFB) (1994-2000), who retired from the TFB on September 8, 2000.

The Judges look for work which:
* Demonstrates investigative journalistic or production flair
* Displays the highest standards of journalism and/or programme making
* Tells the story in a clear and balanced manner
* Communicates stories or issues from Southern Africa in a comprehensive way
* Includes the voices and views of women, men and children in all their diversity
* Displays well organized research, depth and insight
* Required great perseverance or bravery to realize
* Is substantially the product of the reporter's own initiative and effort
* Uncovers facts that someone or some agency may have tried to keep from public scrutiny
* Is about issues of public importance to the readers, viewers or listeners.
* Was broadcast or published between January and December 2006, with proof supplied.

The awards are supported by the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) who bring their investigative journalism expertise by helping with the judging criteria. Financial support for the awards is provided by the Netherlands Institute of Southern Africa (NiZA)

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