Mo Amin's 11 Most Iconic Awards
Meet Africa's most iconic photojournalist who documented some of the continent's most important people, moments and places in the 20th century.
Bringing Africa to the world
Mohamed Amin, photographer and frontline cameraman extraordinaire, captured the pain and passion of Africa like no other. ‘Mo’ trained his unwavering lens on every aspect of African life, never shying from its tragedy, always rejoicing and celebrating its successes.
He received dozens of awards and recognition for his work on Tom Mboya, Idi Amin and the Ethiopian famine.
Mohamed Amin wins the Cameraman of the Year Award (1969)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#1: British Television Cameraman of the Year
In 1969 Mo Amin received his first major award. He was named British Cameraman of the Year for his coverage of the assassination of the Kenyan politician Tom Mboya. Mo's pictures of Mboya will forever be etched in the minds of Kenyans.
Mohamed Amin receives the Judges Award from Royal Television SocietyMohamed Amin Foundation
#2: Royal Television Society
In 1984, Mo Amin received the Royal Television Society Journalism Award for his coverage of the Ethiopian famine. He had travelled to Korem in northern Ethiopia with BBC journalist Michael Buerk to cover what he later would describe as the "closest thing to hell on earth."
Mohamed Amin and Michael Buerk receive the International News AwardMohamed Amin Foundation
#3: Royal Television Society
Mo Amin received the Royal Television Society Journalism Award with BBC journalist Michael Buerk. They had collaborated on several occasions but it was their work on the Ethiopian famine that would move the world.
Mohamed Amin receives the Gold Hugo Award (1985)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#4: Gold Hugo Award
In 1985, Mo Amin was presented with the Gold Hugo Award for his documentary "African Calvary" which highlighted the famine in Ethiopia. He later said that what he had witnessed in his 25 years of covering wars, disasters, riots, and even the previous Ethiopian famine, could not have prepared him for what he saw in 1984.
Mohamed Amin receives the Valiant for Truth Award (1986)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#5: Valiant For Truth Award
In 1986, Mo Amin received the Valiant for Truth Award for "conveying true facts and opinions to the public" for his coverage of the Ethiopian famine. His story made the world wake up, and inspired Bob Geldof and many others to take action.
Mohamed Amin receives the Valiant for Truth Award (1986)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#6: Valiant For Truth Award
Salvation Army leader Dame Eva Burrows presented Mo Amin with Britain's most coveted media award, the Valiant For Truth trophy. He was recognised for his continuing work in bringing the plight of the hungry and the homeless to the world's attention.
Mohamed Amin receives INTERCOM Gold Plaque award (1987)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#7: Intercom Gold Plaque Award, Documentaries
In 1987, Mo Amin was presented with an award by the Chicago International Film Festival. He was recognised for his documentary titled "Give Me Shelter". This documentary looked at issues of the homeless around the world and was filmed in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Mohamed Amin receives the Judges Award from Royal Television Society (1991)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#8: Royal Television Society
In 1991, Mo Amin received the Judges Award for Television Journalism from the Royal Television Society. He was recognised for his contribution to television news which is he covered with extraordinary dedication.
Mohamed Amin presented with Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya Award (1993)Mohamed Amin Foundation
#9: Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya
On Kenya's Independence Day in 1993, Mo Amin was recognised for his services to photojournalism by President Daniel Arap Moi.
Mohamed Amin with his MBE from Queen Elizabeth (1992) by Mohamed AminMohamed Amin Foundation
#10: Member of the Order of the British Empire
In 1992, Mo Amin travelled to London to receive an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II. He was recognised for his services to photojournalism and humanity in Africa.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts award by Trupti ShahMohamed Amin Foundation
#11: BAFTA
In 1984, the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) awarded Mo Amin the Best Actuality Coverage for the Ethiopian Famine story.
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