SANEF in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is hosting a series of webinars to accompany the relaunch of the Reporting the Courts manual.
The next instalment of the Reporting the Courts webinar series looks at the role of the judiciary and the office of the chief justice featuring @CASACZA @WhyJudgesMatter and the @HelenSuzmanFdn.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held its first Council meeting for 2022 on 12 February 2022 in Cape Town and deliberated on various issues plaguing the media industry and the country.
SANEF held robust discussions with the Auditor-General, Tsakani Maluleke, engaging her on the critical work of accountability in public funding and resources spent, and Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, as government commits to prioritise water security, investment in water resources and maintenance.
Maluleke acknowledged the role of the media in ensuring the public is informed on the work of her office, including service delivery failures and corruption, often providing early warnings about critical areas that can inform their work.
“The media has also been a critical partner in highlighting our audit findings and ensuring they do not go unnoticed. As a case in point, I was particularly pleased by the extent to which the media used our reports, as reference point, during the 2021 local government elections. I want to assure you of our unreserved appreciation for that and for doing your work diligently and without fear or favour,” Maluleke said.
Minister Mchunu decried the numerous plans by successive ministers in his portfolio, highlighting that eradication of pit latrines, reconfiguration of water boards, and resolving the Vaal River sewage spillage will be prioritised during his tenure.
“We need a plan for water reticulation and sanitation that can be implemented by the department irrespective of a minister in the office. The department of Water and Sanitation wants to deal with the problem of the bucket system once and for all. However, it must start with pre-planning for settlements because often settlements are created and then the department starts following behind with water supply and sanitation requirements.
MEDIA ISSUES:
Access to the courts
SANEF is aggrieved by the deteriorating access for journalists to the country’s Magistrates and High Courts.
Despite access to the courts being secured in the Bill of Rights, which forms part of the Constitution, we have seen magistrates and judges arbitrarily barring journalists from covering public proceedings or imposing rules of access that are both unfair and irrational.
In the latest incident, Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe imposed an application process for journalists to attend the bail hearing review application of Zandile Christmas Mafe, the man accused of burning Parliament, after he was referred by the state to the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
SANEF wrote to the Judge President in January and is yet to receive a response.
In 2020, SANEF celebrated the Magistrates’ Commission having set national guidelines regarding media access to court proceedings, following months of campaigning.
However, magistrates across the country have ignored their own guidelines. SANEF has tirelessly tried to engage the commission with no success.
SANEF council resolved to write to the Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to plead with him to intervene in this clear violation of the Constitution.
“We have received numerous reports from journalists in various provinces, complaining that they have had to apply for permission to cover court proceedings, sometimes arguing their cases in the magistrates chamber,” SANEF deputy chair Adriaan Basson said.
Nat Nakasa grave
SANEF reiterated its disappointment that the eThekwini municipality is yet to fulfil its promise to restore the tombstone of journalist and anti-apartheid icon, Nat Nakasa.
The tombstones of Nakasa and late former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa, lie desecrated at the Heroes Acre in Chesterville, Durban.
Media sustainability
SANEF council deliberated on journalism sustainability, including fair competition in the digital economy between news media and tech platforms and we are considering engaging the Competition Commission in this regard.
SANEF is also looking at projects that will support the sustainable future of community media as the coalface of information to society.
SABC matters
SANEF, in partnership with Campaign for Free Expression, will continue to push for the SABC grievance hearing against CEO, Madoda Mxakwe, and Board Chair, Bongumusa Makhathini, to be opened to the public. Now fired SABC chief executive Phathiswa Magopeni accused them of editorial interference.
We are also concerned by the growing trend of law-enforcement agencies making no progress in investigations of callous criminal acts of those threatening the lives of journalists, especially during elections. We again call on police to bring to court those threatening Lesedi FM journalists who have been threatened with rape, beatings and death and left threatening graffiti on the walls of the SABC offices in Mangaung, Free State.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held its first council meeting for the year 2022 on Saturday, 12 February and had the honour of being addressed by Auditor General, Tsakani Maluleke.
Ms Tsakani Maluleke is South Africa’s auditor-general, the first woman to hold this position in the supreme audit institution’s 109-year history. She was also the first female deputy auditor-general.
Her background as a Chartered Accountant spans more than 20 years, with experience in both the private and public sectors, and in areas as diverse as auditing, consulting, corporate advisory, development finance, investment management and skills development agencies.
Tsakani served on the Presidential BEE Advisory Council, where she successfully led a subcommittee that developed recommendations for broad-based black economic empowerment. As chairperson of the CA Charter Council, she led the first BEE sector charter, which focused on key transformation initiatives that improved access for black people to enter the profession. As a non-executive member of the Financial Advisory & Intermediary Services (FAIS) Ombud committee, she advised the setting up of the FAIS Ombud office.
Tsakani’s career is motivated by a passion to actively contribute to advancing black men and women in the accountancy profession. She has pursued this passion through her work with various organisations including Business Unity South Africa, African Women Chartered Accountants, and the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (Abasa), of which she is a past president.
Her current role as the SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) nonexecutive chairperson of the board, is a continuation of this work. Her commitment to service excellence and ethical leadership, and her contribution to transformation has been recognised and awarded by the Presidents of ABASA, AWCA and Black Management Forum (BMF).
Tsakani is a fellow and moderator of the African Leadership Initiative and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins other South Africans as we send condolences to the family of Kuli Roberts, who’s passing the country learnt of today. She passed away on Wednesday night in Johannesburg.
Kuli (49) worked across media platforms such as television, radio, magazines, and newspapers. She was known for her witty and smart comments.
Kuli worked for Kaya FM where she presented the breakfast show with the late Bob Mabena, wrote columns for Sunday tabloids, Sunday World, and the now defunct Sunday Sun.
She also presented shows at the SABC such as The Real Goboza and Trending SA. Recently she pursued an acting career as she featured on dramas such as The Queen, Inkabi and Angelina. She was known as an enterprising entertainment all-rounder who spoke out against any ill-treatment, and not only of celebrities, with known views on issues such as albinism and homophobia.
Kuli’s last job in the newsroom was at Sunday World. The newspaper’s editor, Wally Mbhele, said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of former colleague Kuli Roberts last night. Her untimely death has not only left us shocked with disbelief, but it leaves a huge emptiness in both the world of journalism and the entertainment industry.
“We’ll forever remember Kuli as a vibrant colleague in the Sunday World newsroom who always was driven by perpetual energy and powerful desire to empower young female journalists.”
Rhode Marshall, former managing editor at City Press, said: “I’ve followed Kuli’s career long before I joined the industry. Over the years she has remained as passionate, committed, and true to self as I remember. Something that’s very rare, especially when you’re always successfully reinventing yourself.
“She did it so effortlessly. Kuli was always incredibly kind and willing to encourage and share her knowledge, insight and skills with young reporters navigating their way through the entertainment industry. An important takeout from her life is to live fully.”
Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF’s chairperson, said: “Nomakula made her mark in the media over the decades. Her passing comes as a shock. We would like to send our commiserations to her children and the rest of the family. She was a true role model to many aspiring, young journalists as she was a true trailblazer in entertainment journalism. Strength to the Mboya and Roberts families.”
Recently there was controversy after Kuli was unveiled as a councillor candidate in the last municipal elections for ATM, something she later denied. The allegations that she stood for office eventually led to her being dismissed from Sunday World. She denied the allegations despite ATM having put her on their candidate list.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The coalition of Southern African journalism organisations in Gaborone this week, led by the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF), to investigate the country’s controversial new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill has welcomed the Botswana government’s amendments to the Bill.
The government released amendments which reinstated judicial oversight over surveillance, interceptions and seizures. It also criminalized the abuse of these powers and introduced a new committee, headed by a judge and with extensive powers, that will oversee undercover investigations.
The coalition of organisations representing journalists across the SADC region gathered in Gaborone at the invitation of BEF. It came in response to the government’s plan to push through parliament a law that would have threatened the work of journalists and the country’s media freedom and free expression.
The coalition was led by the BEF and included the Press Council of Botswana, MISA Botswana, the Southern African Editors’ Forum (Saef), the Media Institute of Southern Africa, the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the WAN-Ifra Media Freedom Committee. This group asked to meet the President and other government officials to discuss their objections to the Bill.
It was a strong show of solidarity that highlighted the concern with a draft law that African Editors Forum chair Jovial Rantao called “draconian”.
The government’s latest amendments to the Bill removed clauses that would allow authorities to surveil citizens and conduct undercover operations without a warrant for up to 14 days. It went further and criminalized the abuse of these powers, with penalties up to life imprisonment. The new Controlled Investigations Coordination Committee will coordinate such investigations and also “protect the interests of interception subjects and targets”. The committee will be headed by a judge and has strong powers to “impose administrative sanctions, award compensation, issue and follow up enforcement procedures”. Its decisions will have “the same effects as a judgement of the court”.
“In our view, this is not a perfect Bill, but we are prepared to live with it as part of a trade-off that citizens make in a democratic society to help the state fight modern-day crimes like financial terrorism and money-laundering,” said Spencer Mogapi of BEF.
“I want to thank media colleagues from the region and abroad who came to show solidarity with us in Botswana at a time when we felt that the future was all dark,” he said.
“We appreciate that the government heard the concerns and quickly made changes to improve the Bill. It is a very positive sign when governments respond in this way.
“From a Bill that threatened media freedom, Botswana now has one that regulates covert investigations. It is not perfect, but – if implemented properly – can have positive effects, said Anton Harber, of (CFE).
Joseph Ailonga of SAEF said: “We welcome these amendments and would want to encourage our colleagues in Botswana to now focus on the implementation of this bill once passed.”
Tabani Moyo, MISA regional director, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to water down the bill, although needs to be done to balance citizens’ right to privacy and national security. We will continue to engage with the government and citizens to ensure that rights are protected.”
Contacts:
Anton Harber, Campaign for Free Expression +27-83-3039497 [email protected]
Spencer Mogapi, Botswana Editors’ Forum +267 72110101
Joseph Ailonga, Southern African Editors’ Forum +264 85-2717853
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the passing of legendary sport commentator and veteran broadcaster, Dumile Mateza.
Mateza has been in broadcasting for over thirty years when he passed on. Mateza (62) succumbed to cancer, according to his family. Soccer, rugby, and boxing followers would remember Mateza’s distinct commentary across various SABC radio and television channels. He also hosted various news actuality and magazine shows.
Besides sport commentary, Mateza was passionate about writing and the entire journalism fraternity. Those who worked closely with him knew how he was never shy to express his views on the state of journalism.
Mateza was born in the Eastern Cape, before he became a broadcaster, he was a school teacher. He is famed, among others, for his Afrikaans commentary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which the Springboks won.
He had incisive views on various challenges in our sporting codes, whether it was cricket, soccer, rugby, horseracing, or boxing. In one of his various roles, he was once a board member of Boxing South Africa.
Timothy Molobi, City Press’ sport and news editor, said: “Mr Mateza was a real doyen of sports commentary as he would take you with him to events. It was rare to find someone who was at home in three different sporting codes – rugby, football and boxing and Mr Mateza was there with the best – a rare breed indeed. Just his voice would make you ask for more, especially when he drifted away from the game to talk about something else unrelated. He was an inspiration to many of us who looked up to him when we first came into the sports industry and learnt a lot from him. We will clearly miss his insightful knowledge of the sporting codes, and his humour. May his soul rest in peace.”
Thabiso Tema, talk radio host and sport commentator, said: “In the past two years we have all had to endure great loss as death stalked us at every turn. And yet despite its constant presence, death has not lost its sting. It was thus with great sadness that we woke up to the news of the passing of Dumile Mateza. Sad as the death of anyone is, it is difficult not smile when thinking of Mateza, as everyone fondly called him.
“That’s because of the man’s endearing personality, a larger-than life character who filled every space he occupied. Mateza was a prodigiously talented broadcaster, who shone in front of the camera and beamed on the microphone. He inspired a generation of sports casters, including myself. I admired his versatility and the depth of his insights into a variety of sports.
“He was a trailblazer who broke the mould in South African sports broadcasting, entrenching himself as the original polyglot broadcaster, equally adept in his native isiXhosa, English and most remarkably, in Afrikaans. Mateza was the consummate professional, a broadcaster who took his work and his audience very seriously. He was passionate about his craft and often bemoaned falling standards not just in broadcasting, but journalism in general.
“Mateza was unique, often imitated by never replicated. Many have mimicked and even mocked him, mostly with affection and rarely with derision. The words legend and legendary are thrown about with gay abandon these days but they certainly are not misplaced in describing the legacy of Mateza. He is a legend because his work has become legendary. The inimitable drawl shall be heard no more but shall never be silenced; that raucous guffaw will shake the walls no more but reverberate forever in our hearts.
“Broadcasting has lost a pioneer, sports administration has lost a passionate workaholic and the church has lost a faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones along with all those who had the pleasure of calling Dumile a friend. Mateza your work here is done and the mark you leave is indelible. Thank you for paving the way for us, a new generation of sports broadcaster to showcase our talents on all platforms. We hope to do your do your legacy proud. Rest in Peace Msasazi, hamba kakuhle nkabi…sizawudibana phesheyaphaya!!
Mathews Mpete, sport editor at Daily Sun, paid tribute: “One of the very few breeds in sportscasting, a man of very few words, but vocal when faced with a microphone and TV cameras. In his heydays, Ntate Mateza, as I used to call him, was one of the sports journalists who inspired many aspiring broadcasters into the field, let alone potential boxers.
“He was versatile in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, and his accent and pronunciation of words is the reason we mostly fell in love with him. The last time I spent time with him was at a boxing tournament where he was commentating in Secunda, and he gave me pointers on several boxers.
“As a journalist, we’re always not shy to ask questions and need for guidance on athletes’ profiles and their means of strength, and he was willing to share.
“Ntate Mateza spoke about all boxers as if they are his friends, giving me their weaknesses and strengths, and how prolific they are in the ring. True to his predictions, the said boxers that he bet on winning, lifted their respective belts.
“This is the reason Boxing SA was at its peak when he was in their board, they too have lost a strategic mentor. He taught us a lot and for that we are grateful to his family for having borrowed him to us, and we indeed reaped a lot from his craft. Lala ngoxolo Ntate Mateza”
Note to Editors:The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) is deeply alarmed at what is about to happen in Botswana – the thwarting and suppression of free expression among its people and by extension the media through the contemplated Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill.
SAEF joins the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF) and the African Editors Forum in calling on President Mokgweetsi Masisi to withdraw the Bill before Parliament and allow for wider public consultations as it is bound to have serious ramifications not only on the people of Botswana but the whole SADC region because of clear and known interconnectedness between the people and institutions of the country.
The Bill in its current format is dangerous as it forces the disclosure of information by citizens including journalists and allows intelligence officers to use fake identities while providing them immunity from prosecution.
A lack of oversight on the intelligence operatives is itself frightening, especially in a county we had come to regard as a beacon of good governance.
The Bill will also introduce a culture of arrogance and willy-nilly condemnation and execution of innocent citizens reminiscent of the colonial and apartheid-era. What Botswana is advocating in the Bill is totally against the ethos and spirit of the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport to which Botswana and 15 other member states in the region are now signatories.
Four key articles and clauses in that sanctity document stand out for us and all the people of SADC and these are Articles 17(a), 18(4), 19(1) and 20 but especially the last two which speak about member states agreeing to “cooperate in improving the free-flow of information within the region” and ensuring the “freedom and independence of the media”.
We are worried as SAEF, and here we associate ourselves with both TAEF and BEF that the contemplated piece of legislation will negate all the gains made through the regionally, continentally, and globally acclaimed Protocol which is concomitant with the Windhoek Declaration.
Even without this Bill, there was already widespread assault on the media in Botswana. We shudder what will become of the media when this Bill becomes a law.
We hope Parliament in Botswana and also the State President will be responsive to public outcry and take the Bill out to the public for consultations.
Additionally, we call on the United Nations Human and Peoples Rights Commission, through the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, and also the African Union Commission to take a stand and sanction Botswana.
Botswana, it is important to point out, does not have a Freedom of Information law. This by itself, even without this envisaged law has huge negative implications on the functions of the media and also on citizens’ ability to access information and hold authorities accountable.
For a country that has a reputation of democracy, the absence of Freedom of Information law is a big failure on the part of authorities.
We call upon all journalists in the SADC region and the world over to come together in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Botswana.
SAEF together with other regional media freedom partners will as a matter of urgency be sending a delegation to Botswana in solidarity.
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SANEF in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is hosting a series of webinars to accompany the relaunch of the Reporting the Courts manual.
Tsakani’s career is motivated by a passion to actively contribute to advancing black men and women in the accountancy profession. She has pursued this passion through her work with various organisations including Business Unity South Africa, African Women Chartered Accountants, and the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (Abasa), of which she is a past president.
