Dzudzie Netshisaulu

26 June 2026

The work of journalists is to hold those holding public office accountable, and where necessary, ask them any questions, however hard they may be.

As the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), we continued to be concerned that a public official, Dr Sunshine Myende, the chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), sought an interim court order against the Sunday Times’ Sisanda Mbolekwa, all because she was asking her to respond to questions on the stories she was working on.

Public office bearers, including Myende, should not be excused from asking questions to journalists, while in retaliation seeking to turn such questions into harassment or intimidation.

SANEF, as previously stated, will continue to condemn such acts and support any journalists doing their work ethically, including asking questions.

SANEF will support the Sunday Times and Mbolekwa, as we deem Myende’s actions as nothing but harassment.

ENDS

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 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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information, please contact:

Tshamano Makhadi – Acting Chairperson (082) 223-062

Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415

Slindile Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984

Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Jude Mathurine – Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799-1701

Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138-5564

Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

Election reporting can move very quickly. One moment a reporter is covering a community meeting, the next they are dealing with party claims, candidate disputes, disinformation, safety risks, numbers that do not add up and voters who are asking very practical questions.

That is why SANEF’s updated 2026 election training materials are such an important resource for newsrooms.

The modules are now live on the SANEF Elections Portal and are useful for both new reporters and those who have covered elections for years. They are also a good reminder that election coverage is not only about rallies, personalities and results. It is about helping the public understand how power works, how votes are counted, what parties and candidates are promising, and what those promises mean for people’s daily lives.

For instance, Module 3 on disinformation can help journalists understand the difference between misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. It also explains why the term “fake news” can be misleading, especially when it is used to dismiss credible journalism.

Importantly, the module gives reporters a practical checklist for verifying visual content. Before using a photo or video, journalists are encouraged to ask whether it is original, whether it has been scraped from old reporting and repurposed, whether it has been digitally manipulated, and whether the time and place can be confirmed through metadata or visual clues. This is especially useful during elections, when old images, staged content, manipulated visuals and AI-generated material can travel quickly.

The training material also covers how elections work, the role of the media during elections, the safety of journalists on- and offline, and reporting on local government.

This election cycle is expected to be highly contested. Before the pressure of the campaign fully hits, reporters and editors should make time to read the modules, discuss them in newsrooms and use them as a practical guide.

SANEF mourns the passing of Independent Media journalist, Baldwin Ndaba

25 May 2026

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the untimely passing of journalist Baldwin Ndaba on Friday, a man whose reporting helped shape public accountability journalism in democratic South Africa.

The country’s media fraternity has lost one of its finest reporters, a journalist who understood both the craft and the calling of journalism with uncommon depth and humility.

Veteran journalist Jovial Rantao described Baldwin as a “brilliant cut rough stone”. There is a particular poetic justice in the fact that Baldwin Ndaba learned his craft in Kimberley, a city built on the violent beauty of diamonds, where something rough and unremarkable is hauled from the earth, cut with precision, and revealed as extraordinary. That is exactly what happened to Baldwin.

Baldwin learnt the trade at the Diamond Fields Advertiser (DFA), a newsroom that has produced some of South Africa’s most formidable journalistic minds. Rantao said the newspaper found in Baldwin a stone worth cutting “through the unforgiving rigour of provincial reporting, and through the grit and grunt of no-fear investigative work”.

From those demanding beginnings emerged a journalist with both edge and conscience. Baldwin Ndaba was shaped into something rare, fearless yet grounded, incisive yet deeply humane. It was not long before Independent Newspapers noticed his talent, and The Star, then regarded as the country’s paper of record and the biggest stage in South African journalism, came calling.

“He arrived at Sauer Street not as a man daunted by the bigger room, but as one who had always known he belonged in it. He carved out a formidable beat covering the sprawling, shadowy corridors of Gauteng provincial government and the Legislature, territory fertile with intrigue, self-dealing, and the slow erosion of public trust. From those corridors, he extracted scoops. Front-page leads. Accountability journalism at its most consequential.”

Rantao said Ndaba lived the oldest and most honourable mission in this noble, battered trade: to hold those in power accountable, to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. His work, he said, will endure as “incorruptible, indelible, like a diamond that has already been cut”.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said he was saddened by Ndaba’s passing, calling him “one of the country’s most influential political reporters and a gifted wordsmith”. Baldwin’s byline featured prominently in The Star and other Independent Media newspaper titles, where he distinguished himself through insightful political reporting. He covered the Gauteng Legislature and the Executive Council with diligence, professionalism and consistency, always asking the questions that mattered most to our people.

Lesufi said Baldwin’s work played an important role in keeping the public informed and holding government accountable, a responsibility that remains essential in strengthening democracy.

“Through his dedication to journalism and commitment to the truth, Baldwin earned the respect of colleagues, public representatives, and readers alike. His contribution to the media fraternity and the country’s democratic discourse will be deeply missed.”

“On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the people of our province, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues at Independent Media, and the broader media fraternity. May his soul rest in peace,” said Premier Lesufi.

Founder of Vutivi Business News, Moipone Malefane, said Baldwin possessed a deep understanding of politics and history. Although he was not strictly a political reporter, he immersed himself in political literature and debate.

“When everyone was ANC, he continued to defend the Pan Africanist Congress. He loved the PAC and what it stands for,” she said.

For many colleagues, Baldwin’s greatest qualities extended beyond his bylines and front-page exclusives. Journalist Simon Nare described him as “a gentle and peaceful soul”, adding that he was a joy to be around. Even in disagreement, Baldwin remained calm, measured and respectful — “as calm as a still lake and as smooth as glass”.

He was admired not only for his sharp reporting instincts and formidable keyboard skills, but also for his willingness to mentor younger journalists with patience and generosity. Many in the industry can attest to how dignified and professional he remained, earning respect even from some of the very politicians and officials he exposed.

Veteran journalist Themba Sepotokele recalled forming a special bond with Baldwin when he moved from Kimberley to join The Star around 2001/02. Together with colleagues including Siyabonga Mkhwanazi, Phomello Molwedi, Rapula Tabane, Fikile Ntsikelelo-Moya, and Caiphus Kgosana, they became familiar faces at a favourite watering hole opposite The Star building, adjacent to what later became the African National Congress headquarters, Luthuli House.

Sepotokele remembered Baldwin as a fearless reporter who broke stories, ruffled feathers, and spoke impeccable Setswana, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans. One of the stories that stood out was his reporting on former Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements and Local Government, Humphrey Mmemezi, who misused a government credit card to buy McDonald’s meals and a painting for his home.

Steve Lawrence, a journalist, said he was shocked and heartbroken upon hearing of Baldwin’s passing. The two started their careers together at the DFA and shared what he called “many wild adventures” covering the stories of communities in the diamond fields.

“Baldwin was an endearing and humble soul who excelled at reporting on crime and politics. On a weekend of breaking news, I often picked him up at his home in Galeshewe or at his favourite tavern, where he picked up many stories. He was the politics go-to guy in the newsroom with all his contacts, covering the legislature alongside Patsy Beangstrom, Diane Kipri Bra Vusi Tukakhomo and Thami Mgwigwi under the leadership of Kevin Ritchie.”

Lawrence also recalled Baldwin’s love for hearty township delicacies: “Lawrie kry vir jou,” Baldwin would laugh as he demolished skopo, runaways and walkie-talkies. “The feet I could get away with, but the head — Nee wena!” Lawrence joked. Baldwin would be left with greasy fingers and a broad smile while his friend searched desperately for serviettes.

Their friendship continued when both later moved to The Star. “We remained in contact just to say, ‘Hi bru, how is it going with you,’ as the turbulent times under ‘Captain Haddock’ were very stressful.

“You were loved by all who got to know you and hated by some politicians for exposing them. Your love for the PAC was unwavering and always led to our debates, which I always learned from. Rest well, my brother. May your soul rest in peace and rise in glory,” Lawrence wrote in his Facebook account.

Baldwin Ndaba belonged to a generation of journalists who understood that journalism was not merely a career but a public trust. He pursued stories with courage, defended his principles without apology, mentored generously, and carried himself with humility and dignity.

SANEF sends its sincere condolences to Ndaba’s friends, family, former colleagues and the broader media fraternity during this painful time.

Ends.

 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 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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information, please contact:

Tshamano Makhadi – Acting Chairperson (082) 223-0621

Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415

Slindile Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984

Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Jude Mathurine – Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799-1701

Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138-5564

Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

14 May 2026

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the untimely passing of renowned lifestyle writer, publicist, fashion designer, and cultural tastemaker, Maria McCloy, who died on Tuesday evening, 12 May 2026, at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg following heart failure.

McCloy was a formidable force in South Africa’s creative and media landscape whose influence stretched across journalism, fashion, music, and public relations. Through her work, she championed African identity, celebrated Black creativity, and helped shape a confident, contemporary African cultural narrative that resonated both locally and internationally.

Paying tribute to McCloy, award-winning journalist, editor, and content director Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa described her as “a writer, a voice, a cultural tastemaker” who effortlessly bridged the divide between South African street style and global fashion and cultural trends.

“She was constantly reminding us that Africa was bold, colourful and unapologetically loud,” said Zwane-Siguqa. “Her passing marks yet another blow for South African lifestyle journalism.”

Zwane-Siguqa noted that McCloy’s impact extended far beyond the publications and platforms she contributed to. Whether as a writer, publicist, designer, DJ, or creative collaborator, she consistently amplified African stories, aesthetics, and voices with authenticity and pride.

Editorial and communications specialist Rhode Marshall reflected on McCloy’s enduring influence on journalism and the broader creative sector, describing her as “a journalist before she was anything else.”

Marshall said that perspective informed everything McCloy touched, from her early work at Rage and the Mail & Guardian to Black Rage Productions and her acclaimed accessories label that brought African print and design sensibilities to international audiences.

“She understood that the way we cover music, fashion, art, and Black life today rests on foundations she helped lay,” Marshall said. “She built the road many of us are still walking.”

Marshall also praised McCloy’s work as a publicist, saying she fought for the human story behind every creative project and believed deeply that South African artists and creatives deserved to be covered with the same seriousness and respect afforded to global cultural figures.

Reflecting on McCloy’s work as a designer, Marshall said she was ahead of her time in positioning African textiles and aesthetics as everyday luxury long before international fashion circles embraced the conversation.

“You could spot a Maria piece across a room. Her hand was unmistakable,” Marshall said. “Many tried, but no one has been able to replicate what she did because it came from somewhere deeper than craft. It came from heritage, travel, instinct, and a lifetime of really looking.”

Marshall further described McCloy as a generous mentor and creative who made space for younger voices and supported emerging talent both publicly and privately.

“South African media and design have lost a builder, a mentor, and a friend. The industry feels smaller now,” she said.

Thebe Mabanga described her as “the brightest star in our firmament,” saying she was truly one of the best of our generation. “A trailblazer in TV, music, journalism, fashion, and decor.” He said she lived her truth and passion.

SANEF recognises McCloy’s immense contribution to lifestyle journalism, fashion, arts, and cultural storytelling in South Africa. Her work helped redefine how African creativity was documented, celebrated, and understood in contemporary society.

McCloy is survived by her mother and her two sisters, Thandiwe and Natasha.

SANEF extends its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and the wider creative community during this grim time.

ENDS

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.

For more information, please contact:

Tshamano Makhadi –  Acting Chairperson (082) 223-0621

Dr Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415

Slindile Khanyile –  Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker-Kalubi – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (072) 816 3559

Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Sisanda Nkoala – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564

Jude Mathurine – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799 1701

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sanef.org.za

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 April 2026

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly rejects claims that it ignored allegations against Makhudu Sefara regarding Sunday World receiving a disproportionate amount of National Lotteries Commission (NLC) advertising. Sefara stepped down from his role as SANEF chairperson this week following an SIU statement alleging that he received Lottery money that was not used for its intended purposes. He has denied any wrongdoing.

At the centre of this matter is a complex and, at times, deeply contested dispute between Sunday World and GroundUp, stemming from an article published in August 2023. The issue generated robust debate within SANEF and we, therefore, approached the matter with the seriousness and procedural fairness it demanded.

SANEF appointed an independent panel in June 2024 to assess this very issue and advise on what steps the organisation should take going forward. The panel was led by Prof. Guy Berger, a globally respected academic and journalism professor. He was assisted by SANEF founder member, Sibusiso Mngadi.

Professor Berger’s standing in global journalism and media ethics is beyond reproach. He would never compromise his hard-earned reputation to protect an individual. Equally, Mngadi, now operating in the corporate sector and removed from daily newsroom dynamics, brought an additional layer of independence and objectivity. Neither had any vested interest in the outcome.

Suggestions by the GroundUp director, Nathan Geffen, that SANEF ignored the issue are neither true nor accurate and misrepresent the facts. They are a deliberate distortion intended to harm SANEF’s reputation. Geffen was aware of and participated in meetings where the issue was dealt with, including the one regarding the final report and its recommendations. The matter was thoroughly debated at the Council meeting. The SANEF Council is made up of 25 members, and general members are allowed to attend and participate in Council meetings. The February 2024 meeting in Cape Town was no different.

What SANEF was asked to investigate in 2023 was how Sunday World had received a disproportionate amount of advertising from the NLC and whether they had produced “puffed-up” stories as a result. At the time, there was no suggestion that Sefara had improperly and personally benefited from the NLC money. This time around, the SIU has stated that he received the money. It is for this reason that SANEF has asked a legal team to look into the latest allegations.

We call on media houses and colleagues to not only avoid chasing sensationalism but to report fairly and accurately, for journalism’s sake.

Please find the full findings of the report here: https://sanef.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SANEF-Panels-Report-to-Manco_07152024.pdf

-ends-

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.

For more information please contact:

Tshamano Makhadi –  Acting Chairperson (082) 223-0621

Dr Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415

Sli Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker-Kalubi – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (072) 816 3559

Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Sisanda Nkoala – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564

Jude Mathurine – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799 1701

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sanef.org.za

28 April 2026

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held an urgent management committee (Mancom) meeting on the evening of Tuesday, 28 April 2026, at which its chairperson, Makhudu Sefara, stepped down pending an investigation.

This followed an earlier statement issued by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) where allegations of misappropriation of lottery funds were made against Sefara and others.

Sefara was afforded an opportunity to give his version of the events at the meeting, where he denied the allegations. He offered to step aside from his role at SANEF while he responds to the allegations.

SANEF’s Mancom accepted this decision and appointed Tshamano Makhadi, the current deputy chairperson, as acting chairperson.

Furthermore, SANEF has decided to appoint an independent legal team to evaluate the evidence and to report back as soon as possible.

The questions around the lottery funds stem from 2018, when Sefara was not working as a journalist or involved in SANEF.

Ends.

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 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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

10 April 2026

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) expresses its deep outrage and strongest possible condemnation of the continued deliberate targeting and killing of journalists since the outbreak of the U.S., Israel war on Iran in February.

This conflict, which has surged with devastating force into Lebanon and the broader Gulf region, is increasingly being characterised by a lethal disregard for the lives of media workers and a systematic assault on the truth.

The scale of the loss is staggering. Since the escalation began on February 28, 2026, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented a harrowing rise in fatalities estimated at eight so far. In just the last 48 hours, at least three more journalists were killed in strikes in Lebanon.

Ghada Dayekh (Sawt al-Farah), Suzan Khalil (Al-Manar TV), and Mohammed Samir Washah (Al Jazeera).

“This is quite unconscionable,” says SANEF Chairperson, Makhudu Sefara. “The deliberate nature of these attacks suggests that journalists are no longer being caught in the crossfire but are being actively hunted to ensure that the horrors of this war remain hidden from the world. International law is clear: journalists are civilians and must be protected. To target them is a war crime.”

Beyond the physical targeting of reporters in the field, SANEF is gravely concerned by the draconian measures implemented by both the Israeli and Iranian governments to stifle media freedom domestically.

In Israel, new emergency regulations and military censorship have effectively gagged the press within Israel, carrying the threat of incarceration and heavy legal punishment for those who report accurately on the realities of the war. These restrictions go beyond standard operational security; they prevent the media from documenting: The true extent of how Israeli citizens are experiencing the daily trauma of the war. As well as authentic public sentiment regarding the conflict.

According to the CPJ, Iran’s judiciary has ordered the identification, asset seizure, and bank account freezes of at least 100 individuals, including journalists and media workers affiliated with opposition outlets abroad, over their alleged “cooperation with hostile foreign entities.” By criminalising the reporting of the human cost of the war, the Israeli government is not only suppressing its own media but is denying the global community a clear understanding of the conflict’s consequences.

The past two weeks have seen a terrifying expansion of these tactics. SANEF also notes with alarm the targeted bombing of Iran’s government media structures and staff, as well as the repeated strikes on clearly marked press vehicles in Lebanon. These actions represent a calculated attempt to dismantle the very infrastructure of news reporting in the region.

SANEF calls on the international community, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently investigate these killings as targeted assassinations and to challenge the legislative “legalisation” of censorship. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel who are being silenced by either missiles or the threat of a prison cell.

Impunity for these crimes must end. When the state treats the truth as an enemy of the people, the foundations of democracy and global human rights are under threat.

ENDS

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 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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information, please contact:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-062

Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415

Slindile Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984

Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Jude Mathurine – Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799-1701

Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138-5564

Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sanef.org.za