Events

June 4 2025

JUDGES DECIDE ON THE FINALISTS OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE STANDARD BANK SIKUVILE JOURNALISM AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

04 JUNE 2025

JUDGES DECIDE ON THE FINALISTS OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE STANDARD BANK SIKUVILE JOURNALISM AWARDS

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), in partnership with Standard Bank, the proud sponsor of the Sikuvile Journalism Awards, is delighted to announce the finalists for the prestigious 2025 awards. This announcement follows a rigorous judging process of exceptional journalistic talent nationwide.

Journalists from all corners of South Africa submitted their finest work, published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31, 2024. The call for entries, which officially opened in early February and closed in April, garnered significant interest, showcasing the vibrant state of South African journalism.

This year, 437 entries were received. While this number is down from last year’s 573, the judges noted that a significant portion of these were comprehensive bodies of work. Consequently, the actual number of items viewed, read, and listened to amounted to a substantial 638, compared to 655 in the previous year.

A particularly encouraging development highlighted by the judging panel was the incredible progress in the quality of entries from community media. This signals a sector performing commendable work, as evidenced by the high calibre of submissions. We must encourage more community media journalists to enter the competition next year,” stated Lizeka Mda, convenor of the judges and veteran journalist, emphasising the importance of their participation.

In a significant evolution for the awards, the highly popular Features category has been separated into broadcast (radio, TV, and multimedia documentaries) and print/online entries for the first time. This change, long advocated by the judges, will see two winners receiving awards, one for each media platform, ensuring more focused recognition of excellence.

Sanef and Standard Bank extend their heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed panel of judges for their dedication and invaluable contribution to this significant industry initiative. Their expertise and commitment ensure the continued prestige and integrity of the Sikuvile Journalism Awards.

The esteemed judges are: Lizeka Mda (convenor), Tyrone August, Kim Cloete, Ryland Fisher, Pippa Green, Portia Kobue, Thabo Leshilo, Nomsa Mdhluli, Ruth Motau, Andile Ntingi, Neo Ntsoma, Sue Olswang, Mary Papayya, Bulelwa Payi, Gus Silber, and Beauregard Tromp.

The list of finalists represents the pinnacle of journalistic achievement in South Africa over the past year. Sanef and Standard Bank congratulate all the finalists on this remarkable accomplishment and look forward to celebrating their outstanding contributions to journalism at the gala event in Johannesburg on June 28th.

Further information:

Sanef:

Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]

Hopewell Radebe – Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]

Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]

April 1 2025

Deadline Extended for Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards Submissions

Events, Sikuvile Awards

01 April 2025

It’s no April’s Fool joke, the deadline for the entries to the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards has been extended.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has decided to extend the deadline and allow those who missed yesterday’s deadline to enter.

Journalists who may have missed the initial deadline on 31 March 2025 now have another golden opportunity to submit their outstanding work for consideration. The new submission deadline is next Monday, 7 April 2025.

Sane officially opened the call for entries on 3 February 2025, inviting journalists across South Africa to showcase their exemplary work published or broadcast between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. The awards celebrate journalistic excellence across various media platforms, including print, online/digital, and broadcast (radio and TV).

Winning journalists will be honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony scheduled for 28 June 2025 at The Venue in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.

About the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards serve as a beacon of excellence, recognising outstanding journalism that informs, educates, and holds power to account. Over the years, these awards have become a cornerstone of journalistic recognition, reinforcing the media’s critical role in South Africa’s democracy.

SANEF is proud to organise the awards for the fourth consecutive year, continuing the legacy previously upheld by the Publishers’ Support Services (formerly PDMSA). The awards highlight exceptional work in categories such as investigative journalism, feature writing, lifestyle journalism, and photojournalism.

Upholding Journalism Standards

At a time when misinformation and disinformation pose serious challenges, the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards reaffirm the importance of accurate, fact-based, and ethical reporting. The awards honour the integrity and courage of journalists who strive to uncover the truth and keep the public informed.

SANEF encourages all eligible journalists who have not yet submitted their entries to take advantage of this extended deadline.

For more information on the submission process, please visit the www.sikuvileawards.co.za website or contact Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator, email: [email protected]

Award Categories

Entries are invited from journalists across all platforms for the following categories:

Hard News
Indigenous Language Reporting in Community Media: This category has been refined to entail news articles/broadcasting clips that are the result of proactive reporter enterprise. It is distinct from breaking news and represents stories initiated by the newsroom. Entrants should submit journalistic work that was produced using any of South Africa’s Indigenous languages across media segments, particularly meant to speak to the community the journalists work.
Community Service Reporting: This category has been remodelled to highlights hyper-local issues crafted from a community interest perspective, to inform, educate, and build resilient communities by amplifying grassroots narratives that matter. These are general community feature and creative journalism stories initiated to capture the depth of community sentiments and concerns. Qualifying entries must be journalistic work produced for and published exclusively in community media platforms in all languages, and not in any commercial or publicly owned news entities.
Investigative Journalism
Business Journalism
Features: The Features category will now have two winners: one for Print and Online platforms, and another for Broadcasting. This is after the judges proposed a split in the Features category between print and broadcast entries.
Lifestyle
Columns/Editorials
Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
News Photographs
Feature Photographs
Sports Photographs
Manager/Publisher of the Year Award: Recognising exceptional newsroom managers and publishers for their contributions. Entries should include a motivation letter or supporting documents provided by colleagues.
Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries to honour emerging talent.
Journalist of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries for exemplary contributions to the field.
The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating sustained and extraordinary contributions to journalism by an individual who has demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

Submission Details

Journalists and media professionals are encouraged to submit their entries via the official awards platform. For more information on the submission process and guidelines, please visit the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards’ website.

Join us in recognising the dedication, integrity, and talent of South Africa’s finest journalists. Be part of the celebration of media excellence at the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards.

To enter the awards, go to https://sikuvileawards.co.za.

Further information:

Sanef:

Reggy Moalusi- Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]
Hopewell Radebe- Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]
Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]

March 20 2025

Renewed Call: Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards 2025 Submission Deadline Approaching!

Sikuvile Awards

20 March 2025

South Africa’s journalists, the countdown has begun! The deadline for submissions to the prestigious 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards is fast approaching — March 31, 2025.

Do not let procrastination cost you the recognition you deserve. This is your chance to showcase impactful journalism — whether in investigative reporting, breaking news, feature writing, business and politics, or photojournalism.

There will be no extensions due to the tight judging schedule and the organisational work required ahead of the awards ceremony on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Since the call for entries opened on February 3, journalists across print, digital, and broadcast media have been invited to submit their best work from January 1 to December 31, 2024. If you have not submitted yet, now is the time to act!

Why Wait? Seize the Opportunity!

Sanef’s chairperson and Sunday Times editor, Makhudu Sefara, urges journalists to avoid last-minute submissions:

“Procrastination is the enemy of opportunity. Submit your entries while there’s still time—do not risk missing out due to unforeseen circumstances,” Says Sefara.

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards are South Africa’s yardstick for journalistic excellence, recognising outstanding work that informs, inspires, and holds power to account. As the leading media advocacy organisation, SANEF continues to champion ethical and high-quality journalism.

Do not Miss Out—Submit Today!

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards have become the gold standard of journalistic excellence in South Africa. As SANEF continues to oversee these prestigious awards, they remain a benchmark for integrity, quality, and impact in journalism.

Be among the country’s top journalists celebrated for their outstanding work. Submit your entries long before March 31 to [email protected]

About the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards are designed to encourage and recognise outstanding journalistic work across South Africa. Over the years, these awards have become a cornerstone of journalistic excellence, highlighting the critical contributions of the media to our democracy.

Sanef is proud to organise the awards for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, having taken over from the Publishers’ Support Services (formerly PDMSA). The awards celebrate excellence across all media platforms, including print, online/digital, and broadcast (radio and TV). They shine a spotlight on exceptional work in categories such as investigative reporting, feature writing, lifestyle journalism, and photojournalism.

Upholding Journalism Standards

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards underscore the importance of groundbreaking, accurate, fact-based, truthful, and fair reporting in an era where misinformation and disinformation pose significant challenges to the media landscape. They serve as a testament to the vital role of the Fourth Estate in safeguarding democracy.

Award Categories

Entries are invited from journalists across all platforms for the following categories:

Hard News
Indigenous Language Reporting in Community Media: This category has been refined to entail news articles/broadcasting clips that are the result of proactive reporter enterprise. It is distinct from breaking news and represents stories initiated by the newsroom. Entrants should submit journalistic work that was produced using any of South Africa’s Indigenous languages across media segments, particularly meant to speak to the community the journalists work.
Community Service Reporting: This category has been remodelled to highlight hyper-local issues crafted from a community interest perspective, to inform, educate, and build resilient communities by amplifying grassroots narratives that matter. These are general community features and creative journalism stories initiated to capture the depth of community sentiments and concerns. Qualifying entries must be journalistic work produced for and published exclusively in community media platforms in all languages, and not in any commercial or publicly owned news entities.
Investigative Journalism
Business Journalism
Features: The Features category will now have two winners: one for Print and Online platforms, and another for Broadcasting. This is after the judges proposed a split in the Features category between print and broadcast entries.
Lifestyle
Columns/Editorials
Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
News Photographs
Feature Photographs
Sports Photographs
Manager/Publisher of the Year Award: Recognising exceptional newsroom managers and publishers for their contributions. Entries should include a motivation letter or supporting documents provided by colleagues.
Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries to honour emerging talent.
Journalist of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries for exemplary contributions to the field.
The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating sustained and extraordinary contributions to journalism by an individual who has demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

Submission Details

To enter the awards, go to https://sikuvileawards.co.za.

Further information:

Sanef:

Reggy Moalusi- Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]
Hopewell Radebe- Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]
Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]

March 18 2025

Tony Karon on Digital-First Newsrooms and Storytelling in the Global South

Media Freedom, News, Partners, Seminars

Navigating the Future: Tony Karon on Digital-First Newsrooms and Storytelling in the Global South

As the global media landscape shifts towards digital-first strategies, journalists must rethink storytelling approaches to remain relevant. This was the central message from Tony Karon a seasoned journalist and editor at AJ Plus, who addressed the SANEF Young Women Leaders in News Media Seminar on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Speaking to a room full of aspiring and established journalists, Karon shared insights on the evolution of digital-first newsrooms and the role of journalists in challenging dominant Western narratives.

Digital-First Journalism: A New Paradigm

Karon originally from South Africa and now working with Al Jazeera’s digital platform, emphasised that digital-first journalism requires a shift in perspective. Unlike traditional newsrooms with fixed programming schedules, platforms like AJ Plus publish directly into social feeds, competing for attention alongside major Western media outlets such as CNN, BBC, and The New York Times.

“You have one shot to make an impact,” Karon explained. “We do not follow the ‘he said, she said’ format of mainstream news. Instead, we focus on whose voices are being ignored and whose stories are not being told.”

The traditional structure of news prioritises statements from officials and those in power, but digital-first platforms like AJ Plus adopt a bottom-up approach, amplifying the voices of those experiencing global crises firsthand. This shift is particularly evident in the outlet’s coverage of Gaza, where they prioritise stories from civilians rather than government representatives.

Decentring the Western Narrative

A major theme of Karon’s talk was the need to challenge and deconstruct Western-centric narratives that have long dominated global journalism. He praised South Africa’s vocal stance on Palestine, noting how the country has emerged as a leader in advocating for media narratives that expose imbalances of power.

“In many ways, Al Jazeera was founded to address these imbalances,” he noted. “The question isn’t just about presenting facts, but about which facts matter and whose perspectives are included.”

Karon highlighted how global audiences—especially young people—are increasingly disillusioned with traditional media narratives. Platforms like TikTok, often dismissed as trivial, are hosting deep discussions about history and politics. “Young people are not disengaged. They do not trust the old ways of storytelling,” he said.

The Toolbox for the Future Journalist

For those looking to thrive in a digital-first newsroom, Karon stressed the importance of adaptability, multilingualism, and a global outlook. He recounted experiences from his newsroom, where colleagues seamlessly switch between English, Arabic, French, and Mandarin—an asset in an increasingly interconnected world.

“Adding a language to your skill set opens up job opportunities and allows you to engage with diverse sources directly,” he advised.

Additionally, he underscored the importance of recognising the shifting geopolitical landscape. The era when U.S. policy dictated global outcomes is waning, he argued, and journalists in the Global South must embrace their agency in shaping narratives that matter to their communities.

A Call to Action

Karon’s message to young journalists was clear: the future of journalism belongs to those who embrace new formats, prioritise underrepresented voices, and think beyond the traditional structures of power.

“Your world is not centred in America,” he concluded. “It’s up to you to tell the stories that matter to your people.”

His talk energised the audience, reinforcing the idea that digital-first journalism is not just about technology, but about reclaiming storytelling for those whose voices have too often been ignored.

The workshop, organised by Sisanda Nkoala, Sanef’s Western Cape convenor, in collaboration with multi-award-winning veteran journalist, Crystal Orderson, focuses on empowering young women in journalism.
Sisanda highlighted the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the news media, despite a majority of journalism students being women. The event aims to inspire and equip participants with the tools needed to effect change in the industry.
The workshop focused on empowering young women journalists by addressing the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the news media. Sisanda Nkoala highlighted the disparity between the number of female journalism students and their presence in leadership positions, expressing gratitude to contributors like Dzudzie Netshisaulu, Sanef administrator and events organiser.
The event included a video featuring messages from women leaders in the industry and aimed to provide attendees with inspiration and practical tools to navigate their careers. Dianne Walker and Judy Sanderson shared their experiences and advice, emphasising the importance of understanding management dynamics, professionalism, and strategic networking for aspiring future young women leaders.
The program featured a panel of distinguished women in media, including Crystal Orderson, Pam Zokufa, Anne Wentzel, Deirdre Ewing, and Zulpha Khan, who shared insights from their diverse backgrounds.
Deirdre recounted her journey into journalism, emphasising the importance of public broadcasting and local storytelling. The discussion also touched on the evolving media landscape, including the challenges posed by technology and the need for ethical standards in journalism.
Deirdre highlighted the financial challenges facing traditional broadcasters like the SABC and the necessity for journalists to balance storytelling with financial viability, advocating for credibility over speed in news reporting. The overall aim was to equip the next generation of women journalists with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in a changing industry. Ends

February 19 2025

Standard Bank and Sanef call on journalists to submit entries for the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards 2025

Events, Sikuvile Awards

19 February 2025

South Africa’s journalists, the time has come to showcase your excellence! The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) in partnership with Standard Bank, sponsors of the Sikuvile Journalism Awards, reminds all journalists to submit their finest work from January 1 to December 31, 2024, for the prestigious 2025 awards.

The call for entries officially opened in early February, and we urge all journalists not to wait until the last minute to enter. The deadline of March 31st is fast approaching, and any delay could cost you an opportunity to be recognised for your exceptional reporting. Do not be a “better late than never” journalist—be a leader. Go through your 2024 stories, with the help of colleagues and editors, or pictures now and select your best work to enter.

Virginia Magapatona, Standard Bank’s head of communication, says about the awards: “Excellence in journalism shapes societies, yet it often goes unrecognised. The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, now in its thirteenth year recognises journalists and media practitioners who selflessly pursue the truth with courage and dedication. We encourage all journalists working in print, digital, and broadcast media platforms to continue to strive for excellence. Whether you specialise in feature writing, breaking news, business, politics, or photojournalism, this is your opportunity to be recognised for excellence.”

Sanef’s chairman and Sunday Times editor, Makhudu Sefara, emphasises the importance of early submissions: “South African journalists do fantastic work, hence they should be encouraged to enter these awards. They should not risk losing an opportunity to shine and be recognised for their hard work.”

Over the years, the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards have become a defining moment in South African journalism. “Through these awards, the media industry can see the best of the best across various journalistic platforms being benchmarked against their peers by a panel of top-quality and highly credible judges,” Sefara adds.

Originally known as the Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards (MSNA), the awards have evolved into the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards. With Standard Bank now contracting Sanef to oversee the awards, they remain the yardstick of quality journalism in South Africa.

As the country’s most influential media freedom advocacy group, Sanef represents veteran and current editors, senior journalists, media trainers, and academics across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. Sanef is committed to promoting quality and ethical journalism while safeguarding freedom of expression.

The Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards are positioned to be South Africa’s flagship journalism awards across all media platforms—Print, Digital, Radio, and TV. Do not miss your opportunity to be celebrated among the finest journalists in the country. Submit your entries now and secure your place among the best!

Submission Details

Journalists and media professionals are encouraged to submit their entries by sending their documents to [email protected]

For more information and submission guidelines, visit https://sikuvileawards.co.za/

Award Categories

Entries are invited from journalists across all platforms for the following categories:

Hard News
Indigenous Language Reporting: This category has been refined to entail news articles/broadcasting clips that are the result of proactive reporter enterprise. It is distinct from breaking news and represents stories initiated by the newsroom. Entrants should submit journalistic work that was produced using any of South Africa’s Indigenous languages across media segments, particularly meant to speak to the community the journalists work.
Community Service Reporting: This category has been remodelled to highlight hyper-local issues crafted from a community interest perspective, to inform, educate, and build resilient communities by amplifying grassroots narratives that matter. These are general community features and creative journalism stories initiated to capture the depth of community sentiments and concerns. Qualifying entries must be journalistic work produced for and published exclusively in community media platforms in all languages, and not in any commercial or publicly owned news entities.
Investigative Journalism
Business Journalism
Features: The Features category will now have two winners: one for Print and Online platforms, and another for Broadcasting. This is after the judges proposed a split in the Features category between print and broadcast entries.
Lifestyle
Columns/Editorials
Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
News Photographs
Feature Photographs
Sports Photographs
Manager/Publisher of the Year Award: Recognising exceptional newsroom managers and publishers for their contributions. Entries should include a motivation letter or supporting documents provided by colleagues.
Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries to honour emerging talent.
Journalist of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries for exemplary contributions to the field.
The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating sustained and extraordinary contributions to journalism by an individual who has demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

Further information Contact Sanef:

Reggy Moalusi- Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]
Hopewell Radebe- Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]
Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]

February 4 2025

Call for Entries: 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards

Events, Sikuvile Awards

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is delighted to announce that entries for the 2025 edition of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards are officially open. The deadline for submissions is Monday, 31 March 2025.

The awards, organised by Sanef, will celebrate journalistic excellence in stories published or broadcast between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. Please note that the submission deadline will not be extended due to the time-consuming adjudication process. Winners will be honoured at a prestigious event scheduled for June 2025, with the venue to be confirmed in Gauteng.

About the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards

Upholding Journalism Standards

Award Categories

Entries are invited from journalists across all platforms for the following categories:

Hard News
Indigenous Language Reporting in Community Media: This category has been refined to entail news articles/broadcasting clips that are the result of proactive reporter enterprise. It is distinct from breaking news and represents stories initiated by the newsroom. Entrants should submit journalistic work that was produced using any of South Africa’s indigenous languages across media segments, particularly meant to speak to the community the journalists work.
Community Service Reporting: This category has been remodelled to highlight hyper-local issues crafted from a community interest perspective, to inform, educate, and build resilient communities by amplifying grassroots narratives that matter. These are general community features and creative journalism stories initiated to capture the depth of community sentiments and concerns. Qualifying entries must be journalistic work produced for and published exclusively in community media platforms in all languages, and not in any commercial or publicly owned news entities.
Investigative Journalism
Business Journalism
Features: The Features category will now have two winners: one for Print and Online platforms, and another for Broadcasting. This is after the judges proposed a split in the Features category between print and broadcast entries.
Lifestyle
Columns/Editorials
Visual Journalism (Editorial Cartoons/Graphic Layout)
News Photographs
Feature Photographs
Sports Photographs
Manager/Publisher of the Year Award: Recognising exceptional newsroom managers and publishers for their contributions. Entries should include a motivation letter or supporting documents provided by colleagues.
Juby Mayet Rising Star of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries to honour emerging talent.
Journalist of the Year: Selected by the jury from category entries for exemplary contributions to the field.
The Allan Kirkland Soga / Standard Bank Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating sustained and extraordinary contributions to journalism by an individual who has demonstrated impeccable ethics and craft excellence.

Submission Details

Journalists and media professionals are encouraged to submit their entries by sending their documents to [email protected].

For more information on the submission process and guidelines, please visit https://sikuvileawards.co.za.

To enter the awards, e-mail: [email protected]

Further information:

Sanef:

Reggy Moalusi- Executive Director/071 682 3695 – [email protected]
Hopewell Radebe- Projects Manager/ 083 582 1734 – [email protected]
Dzudzie Netshisaulu – Coordinator/Administrator – 079 029 7656 – [email protected]

October 27 2024

SANEF Gala Dinner Commemorates 47th Anniversary of Black Wednesday

Annual Fundraiser, Media Freedom, News

The South African National Editors’ Forum held its annual gala dinner last night where guest speaker Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal Mahube Molemela affirmed the right of journalists to report freely while ensuring they practice their craft responsibly.

The event held at The Venue, Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, commemorated the 47th anniversary of “Black Wednesday.”

This year’s event carried profound significance as South Africa marks thirty years of democracy and media freedom under the theme: “30 Years of Democracy: A Journey of Freedom and the Unyielding Power of Media in South Africa.”

Justice Molemela delivered a poignant tribute to the resilience of journalists and activists during the apartheid era. She recalled the sacrifices of individuals like Donald Woods and Steve Biko, who risked their safety and their lives, in pursuit of truth. “At that time, media freedom was a dream,” Molemela stated.

Today, she noted, freedom of expression is enshrined in the Constitution and fiercely protected. “We now have an environment that balances the rights of journalists to report accurately while ensuring that their reporting is free from distortion and exaggeration. Journalists are expected to give all sides of the story a fair hearing, according to the dictates of ethical journalism,” Molemela asserted, referring to this practice as “a sacred principle.”

However, Molemela cautioned that contemporary challenges persist. “We now face the social media terror of misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, and threats against those who speak up,” she said. She underscored the dangers posed by the overwhelming data available online, which can lead to vulnerabilities regarding privacy and the spread of false information. “Misinformation and disinformation are disseminated so easily that despite our Constitutional safeguards, we can still fall prey to the snares of propagandists seeking to undermine the Bill of Rights, which represents the fruits of our hard-won democracy,” she warned. Click here to access her speech.

Master of Ceremonies Cathy Mohlahlana opened the evening by highlighting the theme’s relevance, encapsulating South Africa’s journey over the past three decades. She emphasised the strides made in democracy and the essential role media freedom continues to play in shaping the nation’s narrative, promoting transparency, and upholding democratic principles. “This milestone is worthy of celebration,” Mohlahlana remarked, “marking our progress in safeguarding freedom of expression and promoting journalistic integrity in our nation.”

The evening was a time to reflect on the historical significance of “Black Wednesday,” a dark chapter in South Africa’s history. On 19 October 1977, apartheid-era Justice Minister Jimmy Kruger outlawed more than eighteen organisations, including the Union of Black Journalists and three newspapers: The World, Weekend World, edited by Percy Qoboza, and Pro Veritate. Many journalists and black consciousness leaders were detained and banned in an attempt to silence those exposing the regime’s atrocities.

Nwabisa Makunga, SANEF Chairperson, reiterated the importance of the event as a platform to honour the work of journalism, under increasingly difficult circumstances.

She emphasised the ongoing need for support to sustain SANEF’s mission of promoting media freedom in South Africa.

In her remarks, Makunga expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their crucial role in SANEF’s work to promote public interest journalism and broaden access to information to ensure people are able to make informed decisions about their society.

“Journalism needs to get three important things right,” she asserted. “We must develop the right skills to respond to the information needs of our society, promote access to information more broadly, and fight to remain sustainable.”

She acknowledged that much more must be done to empower newsrooms and individual media practitioners to perform their work accurately and fairly, helping society make sense of the world. “SANEF recognises that it is essential to foster depth and nuance in journalism,” Makunga added.

Sydney Mbhele, Absa Group Chief Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer, highlighted the indispensable role of media in shaping society. “Democracy and media freedom are inextricably linked,” he stated. “For our democracy to flourish, protecting the freedom of the press is essential.”

Mbhele continued to honour the sacrifices of those committed to truth and accountability. “Their work informs and empowers us, equipping society with the knowledge to challenge injustice and hold power to account,” he emphasised. “Beyond just delivering information, the media acts as a beacon of transparency, a guardian of public discourse, and a catalyst for change, driving progress across political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.”

The evening culminated in a shared commitment among attendees to uphold and protect the freedoms that have been fought for and won over the past thirty years, reinforcing the media’s critical role in sustaining democracy in South Africa.

Click to access the YouTube video of the event

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

For more information please contact:

Nwabisa Makunga – Chairperson (082) 555-1972

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

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

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

Makhudu Sefara – Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134

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

Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Rochelle De Kock – Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028

Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564

Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695

October 21 2024

2024 Media Freedom Festival Tackles Journalism’s Key Challenges

Media Freedom, News, Seminars

SABC board member, Phathiswa Magopeni, Centre for Creative Arts director, Dr. Ismail Mohamed, and Webber Wentzel’s media lawyer, Dario Milo, moderated by CfE’s director, Anton Harber. Pic: MMA

Johannesburg – The 2024 edition of the Media Freedom Festival, which concluded on Thursday, 17 October 2024, addressed key challenges facing journalism, including threats to media freedom, the mental health of journalists, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on media sustainability.

This annual event is held in honour of Black Wednesday (19 October 1977), the pivotal day in South Africa’s history when the apartheid regime launched a clampdown on political and media organisations. The World and Weekend World, two anti-apartheid newspapers, were among the publications banned, and the editor, Percy Qoboza, and other journalists, were detained.

This year, the Media Freedom Festival was jointly organised with organisations committed to media freedom, including the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), the Press Council, Campaign for Freedom of Expression (CfE), SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS), the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), the Association for Independent Publishers (AIP), the SABC, and international partners, including the Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy.

Under the theme “Media for Democracy: Ensuring Access, Accountability, and Integrity,” the event began with a presentation by the CfE on the 2024 State of Free Expression in South Africa report, titled A Need for Vigilance. The report highlighted key issues like gender-based attacks on journalists and the use of the courts to silence them. A panel discussion followed, featuring SABC board member and Sanef’s sub-committee chairperson on education and training, Phathiswa Magopeni, Centre for Creative Arts Director Dr. Ismail Mohamed, and Webber Wentzel’s media law expert Dario Milo, moderated by CfE’s director, Anton Harber. They discussed critical challenges such as SLAPP lawsuits, threats to free expression, journalistic independence, and media sustainability. Magopeni noted that job insecurity for journalists is like a “new jail,” pushing them to avoid questioning critical issues to protect their jobs.

The day concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring Newzroom Afrika anchor, Naledi Moleo, Bianca Dormuth, from the German Embassy, Sanef’s Treasurer-General and EWN Editor-at-Large, Sbu Ngalwa, MMA’s director William Bird, and Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenneth Morolong. The panel explored issues related to journalists’ safety, independent media, investment, and the Media Freedom Coalition.

Morolong reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media, emphasising that “the media is the lifeblood of a thriving democracy.” He also stressed the importance of government support for the Media Freedom Coalition. The panel shared his views, with Bird advocating for a clear action plan to address threats to media freedom.

The second day of the festival featured a discussion on “Elections and the Way Forward: Ethical Reporting in the Age of Online Harms.” The panel included Independent Electoral Commission’s chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, SABC News Digital Audiovisual Head, Angie Kapelianis, and MMA’s Thandi Smith. Smith presented the Media Performance Review for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, emphasising the importance of ongoing election coverage and the need to protect journalists during this period.

She also expressed concern over the rising reports of disinformation, with platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and WhatsApp being the top sources of complaints. Mamabolo reaffirmed the IEC’s commitment to ensuring reliable and fair elections, underlining their dedication to upholding democratic values.

At the festival, author and journalist Qaanitah Hunter shared insights into the mental health challenges journalists face, highlighting the traumas they experience in the field. She specifically addressed the issue of social media harassment targeting women journalists, criticising the normalisation of cyberbullying, and calling for more dialogue around promoting healthy social media practices.

The festival concluded with a panel discussion on building a sustainable media industry, focusing on the future of the SABC, community media, and other media organisations. Uyanda Siyotula, from SOS, expressed concern over the sustainability of public service media, pointing out the absence of a funding model in the SABC Bill as a significant issue. The panel emphasised the need for media organisations to adapt to changing economic and media environments.

Shirley Govender, from AIP, gave a sobering assessment of the challenges facing community media, warning that without proper funding and resources, some community outlets could shut down, leaving communities without vital access to information. She called for policy reforms and capacity-building efforts to ensure the survival of community newsrooms.

The 2024 Media Freedom Festival highlighted the essential role of journalists as defenders of democracy, issuing a strong call to tackle misinformation and address critical issues such as journalist safety and media sustainability.

If you want to watch the event, click here

Written by Nyakallo Moleko

October 16 2024

Rhodes University, Sanef launches a declaration to shape the future of journalism

Media Freedom, Seminars

16 October 2024

Makhanda – The School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) of Rhodes University, in partnership with the Eastern Cape office of the South African National Editors’ Forum, Sanef, are hosting a webinar on Friday, October 18 to officially launch the Makhanda Declaration — a bold call to revitalise journalism in South Africa.

The milestone event marking SA Media Freedom Day on October 19 is a historical commemoration of Black Wednesday in 1977 which saw the apartheid state’s banning and closing of the World and Sunday World and the imprisonment of several anti-apartheid journalists under the Internal Security Act.

The Makhanda Declaration revisits the commitment and purpose of the Windhoek Declaration of 1991 which was crafted by African journalists and media professionals 33 years ago to promote the importance of journalism on the continent.

The new declaration was drafted by journalists, academics and scholars to deliberate on current challenges facing South African communities of journalistic practice at a summit in Makhanda in April 2024.

Over three days, stakeholders identified strategies that must be pursued to ensure the future of journalism that contributes to the public good. The Declaration captures their shared commitment to supporting and strengthening journalism and provides concrete guidelines that can enable them to put this commitment into practice and compel other stakeholders to do the same.

Delegates of the Journalism Summit mandated a Steering Committee to refine the Makhanda Declaration, by sharing its content broadly with South African and African stakeholders in the future of journalism.

The Steering Committee has completed this process and developed 11 clear goals for the future of journalism including investing in journalism as a public good, ensuring news media are financially sustainable and ending attacks and killing of journalists, among others.

We invite all media professionals to engage in a crucial conversation about the industry.

A panel of seasoned journalists and editors will reflect on the principles in the Declaration and the realities facing today’s newsrooms.

The webinar, which is due to take place at the Africa Media Matrix Building between 11h00 and 13h00, is titled Renewing our Commitment to the Endurance and Success of Journalism.

It will be a hybrid session and will include a public reading of the Declaration and a panel discussion of its importance to the South African journalistic community.

The panel will include Cheri-Ann James (editor of the Daily Dispatch); Heather Robertson (editor of Daily Maverick 168) Zikhona Tshona (Freelance journalist and producer) and Provincial editor SABC News: Eastern Cape (acting) Jurie Blignaut.

Physical and virtual guests will include representatives from Eastern Cape academic institutions – WSU, Nelson Mandela, RU – and various media houses.

For more information, contact:

Rhodes University head of Journalism and Media Studies head: Jeanne du Toit – 083 573 9970

Sanef Eastern Cape convenor: Rochelle de Kock – 072 969 8028