THE PEOPLE WHO FOUNDED SANEF
SANEF’s existence is a tribute to the willingness of media leaders to unite across political and ideological barriers. The organisation was fundamentally a merging of two previously polarised groups – The Black Editors’ Forum, motivated by strong Africanist and black consciousness beliefs, and the Conference of Editors, largely made up of white, male, middle-class English and Afrikaans newspaper editors.
The organisation’s history has been characterised by vigorous debate of controversial topics within the media industry.
Read Part of the Story, SANEF’s 10th anniversary publication, to learn more about SANEF from its inception through the early years of its existence in South Africa’s fledgling democracy, and about its vision for the future.
SANEF’s founder members include the following important editors and senior journalists.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Amina Frense
Chairperson at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism
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Arnold de Beer
Professor Extraordinary in the Journalism Department at Stellenbosch University
Arthur Maimane – Deceased
Trailblazing South African journalist and award-winning novelist
Brian Pottinger
Seasoned writer, analyst, & renowned Author
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David Wightman
Editor with a media career spanning 50 years (now retired)
Twitter unknown
Debora Patta
South African broadcast journalist, investigative journalist & foreign correspondent at CBS News
Dennis Cruywagen
Author, Political Reporter, Communications Consultant & Speechwriter
Derek Forbes
Former HOD of Communication at NWU, former journalist
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Don Pinnock
South African writer, investigative journalist, and photographer
@DonPinnock
Ebbe Dommisse
Author, Former writer, editor – retired
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GAVIN STEWART – Deceased
reporter, editor, lecturer in journalism and head of the journalism department at Rhodes University
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Jim Jones
Former Editor at The Star
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Jimmy Seepe
Former Assistant Editor at City Press
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John Battersby
freelance journalist, author and independent consultant
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Judy Sandison
SANEF KZN Regional Coordinator
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Latiefa Mobara
Executive Director of the Press Council
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Mark van der Velden
Former editor at SAPA
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Mike Mills
Mike Tissong
Director at Uranus Financial Services
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Molefi Mika
Researcher and retired sports editor
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Mtholephi Mthimkhulu – Deceased
Former Agricultural and Environmental Affairs MEC
Muriel Hau Yoon
Nigel Bruce
Global Chairperson and UK Committee Member at the Democratic Alliance
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Peter Sullivan
Former Group Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers
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Phil Molefe
Director of Business Development & Strategy at Fabrik
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Raymond Louw – DECEASED
Journalist, Editor, and Media Commentator in South Africa
Ric Wilson
ROBERT MAGWAZA
Sbu Mngadi
Senior partner of a global public policy advisory firm, and former editor of Tribute Magazine
Shaun Johnson -DECEASED
Veteran Journalist and Mandela Rhodes Foundation Founding Chief Executive
Thami Mazwai
Former journalist and Apartheid Activist
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Tyrone August
Freelance Journalist
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Xolani Tyilana
Former Senior news editor, director at DHS
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