Buks Viljoen

Buks Viljoen is a journalist based in Nelspruit, South Africa. After matric in 1976, I joined the former South-African Defence Force (SADF). In September 1979 I was involved in a serious accident while serving in the army which left me paralyzed and now using a wheelchair. After my accident, for a short stint, I was involved in the business world.  I have being involved in journalism since 1984 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. At the time  I did general news coverage which included taking photographs. In 1989 I relocated to Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga. I worked as a senior journalist at the Lowvelder as well as The Citizen from 1989 until 2005.
During this period I specialised in crime, court, local government as well as investigative journalism.
In 2005 I was Caxtons Journalist of the Year. During my career at Caxton I won the category as Investigative Journalist of the Year numerous  times.
In 2004 I won the Nat Nakasa Award for Courageous Journalism.
In 2005 I was appointed as the regional reporter for Naspers/Media24 covering all news in the Mpumalanga province.
In March 2018 I went on early retirement.
Currently I focus on human interest, environmental issues, major crime and court cases, amongst others,  involving poaching in Kruger National Park and do investigative reporting as well.