The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) strongly condemns the recent raid by Israeli soldiers on Al Jazeera’s bureau in Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank, and the subsequent forced closure of the bureau for 45 days. This blatant attack on media freedom strikes at the heart of democratic principles, as journalists must be free to report fairly, safely, and without fear of intimidation.
Sanef recognises this as a culmination of the Israeli government’s ongoing efforts to harass and intimidate the Qatari broadcaster, Al Jazeera, ultimately leading to its closure. On 5 May, the Israeli government voted to shut down the channel, resulting in the raid on its offices, the removal of its broadcasts from Israeli providers, and the blocking of its websites—citing alleged bias against Israel.
This aggressive action is part of a broader pattern of escalating violence against journalists in conflict zones. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 116 journalists have been killed in conflict areas. These figures represent far more than just statistics; they embody the tragic human cost of silencing the truth.
Sanef has consistently called for an end to the persecution and killing of journalists. We echo the sentiments of the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO, both of which have affirmed that “the safety of journalists is essential to ensuring freedom of expression and access to information for all.” Journalists serve a critical function in holding power to account, speaking truth to power, and ensuring that the public remains informed—even in the most dangerous and challenging environments.
UN experts have also raised alarm over the rising attacks on journalists in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In a February statement, they expressed deep concern over the “extraordinarily high numbers of journalists and media workers who have been killed, attacked, injured, and detained,” particularly in Gaza, in recent months, in blatant disregard of international law.
Sanef stands in full solidarity with Al Jazeera and all journalists working in conflict zones across the globe. We call on governments worldwide to take immediate action to protect journalists’ safety, in compliance with international law and human rights standards, and to support their indispensable role as the eyes and ears of society. An attack on media freedom anywhere is an attack on democracy everywhere.
Media freedom is non-negotiable, and Sanef will continue its unwavering fight to defend the rights of all journalists to report without fear or repression.
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, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
Visiting stalwart icon Joe Thloloe is Nwabisa Makunga, Reggy Moalusi, Glenda Daniels, Hopewell Radebe, Tshamano Makhadi
A SANEF delegation, comprising Chairperson Nwabisa Makunga, Deputy Chairperson Tshamano Makhadi, Secretary-General Dr. Glenda Daniels, Executive Director Reggy Moalusi, and Projects Manager Hopewell Radebe, visited SANEF founding member and journalism icon Joe Thloloe at his home in Johannesburg on the morning of 20 September 2024.
Mr. Thloloe was unable to attend the SANEF Council meeting and the Nat Nakasa Awards ceremony held in Durban on 14 September 2024 due to ill health. In recognition of his immense contribution to ethical journalism in South Africa, the SANEF Council tasked Chairperson Makunga to visit him and deliver their wishes for a speedy recovery and continued good health.
SANEF Chairperson Nwabisa Makunga presents stalwart icon Joe Thloloe with a gift.
Mr. Thloloe warmly welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as a “blessing” that encouraged him to get out of bed. Mrs. Thloloe also expressed her gratitude, referring to the SANEF leadership as “family,” adding that they need no special invitation to visit their home.
During the visit, Chairperson Makunga presented Mr. Thloloe with gifts, while the group enjoyed tea and freshly baked banana bread.
Thloloe is also the former Press Ombudsman who serves as member of the Nat Nakasa awards four-member panel of judges together with former editor of The Star, Peter Sullivan, Crystal Orderson, a producer for Al Jazeera and contributor to The Africa Report on Talk Radio 702, and Moipone Malefane, the founder of Vutivi Business News.
Most newsrooms in South Africa have yet to formally integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into their daily practices, according to a recent study examining the relationship between journalism and AI.
This study was the focus of a webinar titled *Opportunities and Risks for Journalism in South Africa in the Era of AI-Driven Newsrooms*, organised by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) in partnership with Sanlam. The event took place on Monday, 16 September 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel Umhlanga in Durban.
According to Adjin-Tettey, the study explored how journalists in South Africa and Ghana have used AI tools in their work, primarily in straightforward tasks such as transcription, research, idea generation, and fact-checking. She noted, however, that the formal integration of AI into newsroom operations remains limited due to factors such as cost, language barriers, and resistance to change.
“While participants acknowledged the benefits of using AI for newsroom tasks, they also raised ethical concerns about misinformation, improper attribution, and intellectual property issues,” Adjin-Tettey explained. (Download her presentation)
The study also found that journalists believed the adoption of ethical guidelines and fact-checking practices could help mitigate some of these concerns. Overall, the research added a crucial perspective on AI’s role in African journalism, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges posed by the technology.
AI adoption in newsrooms ranges from simple tasks, such as transcribing interviews, to more complex functions, like detecting fake videos and images. Previous studies have examined how AI is used in news production and fact-checking, but the ethical dimensions of its use have often been overlooked. The authors of this study aimed to fill that gap by providing evidence of how journalists in Ghana and South Africa are incorporating AI into their work and how they are navigating the ethical challenges involved.
The study also explored more advanced uses of AI in newsrooms, such as the Associated Press’s automated generation of earnings reports, which has significantly increased its reporting capacity. Another example highlighted was Reuters’ use of the AI tool Lynx Insight, which analyses large datasets, including financial reports and social media trends, to identify patterns that might hold news value but are not immediately obvious.
The webinar concluded a series of events that began on Friday, 13 September, with a media networking session hosted by FNB and supported by SAB-South Africa. SANEF held its council meeting on Saturday, where it discussed constitutional amendments to align with the country’s national constitution. The weekend culminated with the Nat Nakasa Awards for Courageous Journalism on Saturday evening.
The second Indigenous Languages Seminar, held on August 7, 2024, has marked a crucial reflection on South Africa’s 30 years of democracy and its progress in fostering linguistic diversity, with special emphasis on marginalised indigenous languages.
It was a pivotal event aimed at addressing the pressing issues surrounding the preservation and promotion of South Africa’s indigenous languages within the media landscape.
Organised by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) in collaboration with key partners, including the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the United Nations South Africa, the seminar brought together media professionals, academics, and language experts.
With participants including government representatives, media veterans, educators, and young entrepreneurs, the seminar underscored the media’s vital role in promoting indigenous languages and ensuring access to information in mother tongues. It also provided a platform for stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of existing initiatives and propose solutions to the challenges faced by indigenous language media in the country.
The seminar sessions featured discussions on the media’s contribution to language preservation, the challenges posed by commercial pressures, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in language development, and the need for greater collaboration between mainstream and community media. With an eye on fostering an inclusive and equitable society, the event emphasised the need for innovative approaches to support indigenous languages in the digital age.
You can download speeches and presentations below:
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), estimates that 43% of the world’s approximately 6,000 languages are in danger of extinction. We need to take immediate action to preserve and promote indigenous languages. I am delighted to note that the United Nations remains a leading voice in this fight.
The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which the UN adopted in 2007, acknowledges the rights of indigenous peoples to their languages, traditions, and education. The declaration addresses the right to preserve, utilise, develop, and transmit languages to future generations.
Additionally, the UN has designated specific years and decades as priority areas for indigenous languages. The International Year of Indigenous Languages of 2019 was the most significant. It addressed the dire state of indigenous languages and aimed to motivate immediate action to preserve, revitalise, and promote them. The UN has reaffirmed its dedication to this cause by establishing the International Decade of Indigenous Languages from 2022 to 2032.
When it comes to preserving languages from extinction, UNESCO is in the vanguard.
The UN initiatives have greatly influenced and inspired numerous countries and global movements to preserve indigenous languages and for governments to enact laws and policies that safeguard indigenous languages. Among others, these include the US, Canada, and New Zealand. Here in South Africa, the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Act of 2019 acknowledges indigenous laws and knowledge.
One crucial area where our efforts are most clearly seen is education. Several countries have instituted culturally relevant curricula, bilingual education programmes, and schools that immerse students in indigenous languages. These programmes positively impact the cultural pride, academic achievement, and language preservation of indigenous children.
The UN work has also led to growth of community-driven initiatives as these typically achieve the most significant and long-lasting outcomes. To guarantee the survival of their languages, indigenous communities are developing digital resources, including language applications and online dictionaries.
The UN consistently advocate for the collaboration and sharing of successful strategies among indigenous groups and countries worldwide. We convene numerous conferences, seminars, and cultural exchanges to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information, and innovative solutions.
The contemporary digital era presents unparalleled opportunities to preserve languages. Through mobile applications, social media, and digital platforms, language acquisition can be accessible to a broad audience. However, indigenous groups should be involved in the design and governance of these technologies in order to maintain cultural integrity.
Revitalising a language necessitates a continuous commitment and focus. Achieving long-term change requires more than just finance or programmes with a short timeline. Although the UN’s programmes have been inspiring for the past decade, their success is contingent upon the continued investment of time and resources by all parties involved.
While the UN has played a crucial role in bringing attention to the issue of indigenous languages, we still have a long way to go. The lessons learnt underscore the significance of respect, comprehensive approaches, policy support, technical advancement, and dedication in the long term. Moving ahead, we must stay committed to preserving indigenous languages and the cultural richness they embody by leveraging these lessons and working together.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), in partnership with Sanlam, is proud to announce the winners of the highly esteemed 2024 Nat Nakasa Awards for Courageous Journalism held at the Radisson Blu, Umhlanga in Durban on 14 September 2024.
These awards celebrate journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary bravery in their work, often in the face of great personal and professional risk.
For the first time in the history of the awards, the main Nat Nakasa Award for courageous journalism has been jointly awarded to three outstanding journalists, each of whom has made a significant impact with their fearless reporting:
– Kyle Cowan has been recognised for his investigative feature on the brutal and gruesome assassination of the Murray family.
– Jeff Wicks is honoured for his relentless reporting on the assassination of whistleblower “Babita Deokran”, a story that uncovered corruption in the health department.
– Theo Jeptha has been awarded for his powerful coverage showing everyday struggles communities face, particularly in accessing basic rights such as education.
These three journalists epitomise the spirit of courageous journalism, risking their safety to shine a light on critical issues and expose injustices, said Crystal Orderson Judge.
Nwabisa Makunga, SANEF chairperson, challenged the media fraternity to be not “deaf to the call of accountability; without fear or favour, nor be lethargic in our response to the abuse of power and injustice”.
“This moment demands that we step up the challenge of history; that we are even more vigilant to the insidious nature of the abuse of power by those who claim to want the best for this nation,” Makunga said.
She said this moment demanded high standards of integrity from editors, a standard to which they must hold themselves as individual media practitioners, media houses, and of SANEF as an organisation. Download her speech
Thami Nakasa, the nephew of Nat, said if the courage of journalists in Nat Nakasa’s era was done without fear or favour, the same excellence is expected in every journalist today.
“This award is a great achievement that needs to be celebrated across our communities in the country. There are school kids who yearn to become not just journalists, but excellent ones,” he said.
Nwabisa Mpondo, market development specialist at Sanlam Mass Retail said Nat Nakasa’s story is one of courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to truth. In the oppressive climate of 1960s apartheid South Africa, where the press was restricted and Black voices were systematically silenced, Nakasa dared to speak out. Download her speech
Nakasa’s legacy is woven into the fabric of South African journalism, not because he lived a long life, but because he lived a courageous one, and it serves as a testament to the transformative power of journalism.
Nat Nakasa awards 2024 winners: Kyle Cowan, Jeff Wicks, Vicky Abraham, Slindile Khanyile and Theo Jephta.
“Sanlam, as a cornerstone business in African society, has unwavering faith in the importance of truth. In a world filled with uncertainties and ever-changing economic and social landscapes, truth remains the bedrock upon which trust is established,” Mpondo said.
Sanlam continues to play its rightful role as a responsible corporate citizen and supporter of media development. The group hosts the annual Sanlam summer school, a one-week seminar for emerging journalists from all over Africa that provides skills training on financial reporting. More than 500 journalists have completed the programme and continue in one way or the other to make a meaningful contribution to a thriving media in Africa.
Sanlam also hosts the Sanlam Group Awards for Excellence in Journalism, recognising the best financial journalism on the continent over decades. These awards will celebrate 50 years in 2025 and aim to continue to inspire the next generation of business reporters for the next decades to keep spotlighting Africa’s rightful place in the global economy.
She said the journalists we honour today are not just chroniclers of events; you are custodians of our democracy. They ensure that the South African public remains informed, that the powerful remain accountable, and that our society remains just.
Stephen Wrottesley Award 2024
The Stephen Wrottesley Award, given annually to a SANEF member for exceptional service to the organisation, has been awarded to Ms. Slindile Khanyile, head of Digital Publications and co-director of Likhanyile Tutoring and Media, as well as the editor of online publications Umbele and Umkhanyisi in Durban.
According to the judges’ citation, Khanyile has shown outstanding dedication to SANEF’s goals, stepping up in her region during a challenging period when the regional convenor was on extended sick leave. Khanyile worked tirelessly to ensure SANEF’s ongoing presence and impact, particularly in promoting community media participation. Her continued collaboration with the convenor upon their return has strengthened the region’s media landscape, especially through initiatives like training workshops and partnerships with the IEC.
Her dedication and commitment go above and beyond, and SANEF is proud to acknowledge her contributions with the Stephen Wrottesley Award.
Nat Nakasa Community Award 2024
The Nat Nakasa Community Award, honouring journalists who amplify local voices and foster community engagement, was awarded to Ms. Vicky Abraham.
Abraham was awarded the award for an article that highlighted allegations of racism, discrimination, and unfair labour practice that Deaf employed electrical learnership students were apparently subjected to by their white superiors.
It is understood that some of the students are Deaf-partially-blind. Although, they use South African Sign Language to communicate, others can lip-read.
The students had alleged that they do not have lockers to keep their bags and food. Therefore, their food got infested with ants as they place them on the ground, they explained in the video that they posted on TikTok. This prompted Abraham to investigate these allegations and conduct interview with the students.
The students said, “We place our food on the ground because we do not have lockers, therefore they get filled with lots of ants. We remove the ants and continue eating the same food. That is our daily life, we sit with ants on the grass. It is like the ants are our friends.”
According to the judges, of the Nat Nakasa Awards, the quality of entries in this category was exceptional, but Abraham stood out for her compelling series on Deaf and Deaf-partially-blind students and those with different disabilities who were subjected to inhumane conditions, including eating food crawling with ants. These stories, which exposed racism, exploitation, and unfair labour practices faced by Deaf including the Deaf-partially-blind students at PCD College in Pretoria, were described as “deeply impactful” and “courageous.” The work exemplified the commitment of community journalists, who often work with limited resources but remain determined to tell the most important stories of their communities.”
Sanef congratulates all the winners of the 2024 Nat Nakasa Awards for their exceptional contributions to the profession and their unwavering commitment to truth and justice.
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, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) mourns the passing of poet, writer and publisher James Matthews who died in Cape Town on Saturday 7th September, at the age of 95.
Latiefa Mobara, Press Council executive director, described Matthews as her mentor from Bridgetown when she worked at the Congress of South African Writers (Cosaw).
“He was as fit as a fiddle and a prolific poet, who would write on the spot wherever he was with a glass of red wine in hand.
“James walked everywhere and was a mischievous free-spirited bohemian. May his artist soul explore eternal creativity,” she said.
James David Matthews was born to working-class parents in District Six, Cape Town, on 29 May 1929. He attended Prestwich Primary School and then went on to Trafalgar High School in Cape Town.
After leaving school, Matthews had a number of jobs, including as newspaper boy, office messenger, clerk, and telephonist. Following the publication of his first writings in 1946, when he was aged 17, he found work as a journalist, over the years contributing to various national publications such as the Golden City Post, Cape Times, and Drum, as well as the independent community newspaper The Muslim News.
In 1972 his first poetry collection, Cry Rage (co-authored with Gladys Thomas), was published. It was banned by the apartheid regime — the first poetry collection to be targeted — as would also happen to most of his later works. Matthews was detained by the government in 1976 and was denied a passport for 13 years.
He established the first black-founded art gallery in South Africa (Gallery Afrique) in 1972, and the first black-owned publishing house, BLAC (Black Literature Arts and Culture), 1974–91, which closed as a result of constant government harassment. In 2000, he founded the publishing house Realities.
In 1984, Matthews visited the campus of the University of Iowa and met with students there who, so profoundly influenced by his descriptions of the horrors of the Apartheid regime, would go on to organize thousands of students to occupy the main administration building at Iowa and ultimately convince university authorities to sell off all portfolio investments in companies that were doing business in South Africa.
Matthews was a founding member and the patron of Cosaw from its inception in 1987.
As Sanef we bow our heads in sorrow for the loss of such a prolific writer, poet, and publisher as Matthews. His words and wisdom will continue to inspire generations. We express our sincere condolences to his family and the journalism fraternity. And peace to his soul.
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, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
The world of sports journalism has lost a true legendary Phil Nyamane (Pic from family)
The story of black sports writers would not be complete without mention of the unforgettable scribers of the calibre of legendary sportswriters such as Phil Nyamane, that graced the newsrooms of The World, The Star, Post, and the Sowetan. Nyamane died peacefully of natural courses on Tuesday.
Oupa Ngwenya, the founding secretary-general of the Forum of Black Journalists (SA) and freelance journalist, described Nyamane as “irreplaceable, irrepressible and unforgettable.” He said Nyamane’s star will shine in the galaxy of other star writers comprising such as Joe Latakgomo, Harold Phongolo, Victor Tsuai, Lesley Sehume, Sy Leman, Louis Mazibuko, Elliot Makhanya, Don Manaka, Molefi Mika.
“All these legends were formidable reference points that equally gifted young writers like Sibusiso Mseleku, Rony Mtshazo, Sipho Mthembu, Sello Rabothatha, Ali Mphaki and Linda Rulashe, could be said to be proud chips from the same exemplary block,” he said.
Long before TV existed in South Africa, sports readers’ imagination was ignited with pictures of games that writers like Nyamane skillfully captured in words that even radio could not emulate. Ngwenya said soccer coaches could take cues from their previews of the game to determine the starting line-up of their respective teams. “Losers and winners of the game could similarly rely on craftsmen like Nyamane for post-match analysis.”
He said Nyamane was a moving library in the sports field with abilities to recite facts and stats on things ranging from players’ different attributes, sports administrators and promoters, coaches, and experts’ predictions of various games of different teams.
“Nyamane leaves behind footprints to be followed by those who appreciate his craftsmanship. He leaves cherished memories to the sports fraternity,” Ngwenya said.
As an aspirant journalist and boxing lover, journalist, and communication strategist, Themba Sepotokele keenly followed the work of the likes of Nyamane, Pongola, Junior Motsei, Arthur Molosiwa, and Bafana Shezi.
“They were not just scribes but living legends who lived for the sport. I was fortunate to have worked with Pongola and Nyamane at the Sowetan and The Star newspapers, respectively. Bra Phil was a walking encyclopaedia of boxing. He knew the history of pugilists, remembered their fights and how they fared,” remarked Sepotokele.
Sanef wishes to express sincere condolences to Nyamane’s family, the sports fraternity, and the sports journalism sector. And peace to his soul.
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, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) in conjunction with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the United Nations South Africa will on 07 August 2024 host the seminar on the media’s role in the development and preservation of indigenous languages at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Gautrain, Sandton in Johannesburg.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), in collaboration with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the United Nations in South Africa, is pleased to announce an upcoming seminar on the media’s role in the development and preservation of indigenous languages. The seminar will take place on 07 August 2024, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The seminar will focus on the media’s role in the development and preservation of indigenous languages, the impact of artificial intelligence on media, and strategies for the indigenous languages media sector to attract digital advertising and thrive.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural indigenous languages seminar, this event will delve into the progress made over the past year and identify the next steps in promoting indigenous languages in the media. Key developments, such as the translation of the Press Council of SA (PCSA)’s Press Code by the United Nations South Africa into several indigenous languages, will be highlighted and discussed.
This seminar is aimed at journalists, academics, analysts, and professionals in the business media sector. There will be a strong emphasis on community media practitioners, particularly those from small and independent outlets. Participants from digital, print, and broadcast media, as well as stakeholders with an interest in language development, are encouraged to attend.
The seminar will be interactive, guided by experienced moderators.
Reggy Moalusi, SANEF executive director says the seminar aims to foster meaningful conversations and debates, leading to actionable points that will drive the promotion and utilisation of indigenous languages in both formal and informal media settings. The media, including social media platforms, play a critical role in this effort, especially among young people, he says.
“As we mark 30 years of democracy and the vital role of linguistic diversity in South Africa’s media landscape, we also celebrate the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032 and the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. These milestones underscore the United Nations’ priority of multilingualism and our commitment to safeguarding and promoting indigenous languages. Ensuring that every language is respected and celebrated is essential to preserving cultural heritage and advancing inclusive development,” said Nelson Muffuh, UN resident Coordinator in South Africa.
The CEO of PanSALB, Mr. Lance Schultz, emphasised the importance of revitalising indigenous languages. He highlighted the critical role that the media has played in the past in preserving these languages and encouraged journalists to continue the legacy of the media leading efforts in language preservation through their use in print and broadcast media.
Sanef, PanSALB, and United Nations South Africa are committed to fostering a robust discussion on the media’s role in preserving and promoting indigenous languages, and we look forward to welcoming participants to this significant event.
About Sanef:
The South African National Editors’ Forum is a non-profit organization that promotes quality journalism and media freedom in South Africa. Sanef engages in advocacy, training, and support for journalists and media practitioners.
About PanSALB:
The Pan South African Language Board is a statutory body established to promote and create conditions for the development and use of all official languages of South Africa.
About UN South Africa:
The United Nations in South Africa operates through a network of 21 specialised agencies, funds, and programmes that work together to support the country’s development and humanitarian efforts. The UN in South Africa focuses on a range of issues, including sustainable development, health, education, human rights, and peace and security. UN works closely with the South African government, civil society, and other partners to address the country’s challenges and support its development goals. In South Africa, the Resident Coordinator is the head of the United Nations in South Africa and a representative of the UN Secretary-General.
For more information, please contact:
Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director – 0716823695
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), at its annual general meeting (AGM) at the weekend condemned the continued harassment and abuse our journalists experience in our courts, and those seeking to take news titles to court.
SANEF resolved to work closely with various local and international stakeholders as it seeks to formalise the establishment of a Media Defence Legal Fund. The purpose of the Fund will be to support journalists and media houses, particularly against those who use lawfare to intimidate news media.
One of the immediate matters on our radar regards the MK Party’s intention to take the SABC to court over the use of the Government of National Unity (GNU) definition, a move by the political party that we explicitly oppose. SANEF intends to become a friend of the court.
New Leadership
The Sowetan’s editor, former deputy chair of SANEF, Nwabisa Makunga, was elected as chairperson at this elective AGM, with the previous chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa, now assuming the treasurer-general role. Tshamano Makhadi is now the deputy chairperson and Glenda Daniels retains her position as secretary-general.
Dunisani Ntsanwisi was re-elected to be the chairperson of the community sub-committee; Katy Katopodis was also re-elected to be the chairperson of the journalism wellness and safety sub-committee; Makhudu Sefara was also re-elected to lead the media freedom sub-committee; Phathiswa Magopeni continues to lead the education and training sub-committee and Nicki Gules and Asanda Ngoasheng lead the diversity and ethics sub-committee.
Dianne Hawker is now the convenor in Gauteng, she will be supported by Heather Robertson, while Judy Sandison continues as convenor in KwaZulu-Natal, supported by Slindile Khanyile. In the Eastern Cape, Rochelle de Kock continues as convenor, Jude Mathurine will support her, while in the Western Cape, Sisanda Nkoala is the convenor, and Marenet Jordaan will support her.
Constitution Review
The AGM further resolved to review the organisation’s constitution, to be led by a review committee that the management committee would appoint. The review will be presented at SANEF’s next Council meeting in September. The review committee intends to look at several clauses that need clarity, such as the establishment of sub-committees.
Press Council of South Africa (PCSA)
The AGM resolved to allocate a percentage of funds raised from SANEF’s annual fundraiser dinner to financially support the Press Council of SA (PCSA). The PCSA remains independent and continues to do invaluable work with online and print media. Its continued sustainability concerns SANEF, hence we resolved to support it as much as we can.
Journalists in Palestine and Kenya
The AGM noted the continued killing of journalists in Palestine; since October 7, there have been 162 journalists killed. The latest to be killed was this past weekend when an Israeli strike targeting the central Gaza Strip killed a Palestinian journalist. Our hearts and support continue to be with the working media, and we reiterate the urgent call for the protection of journalists, and the killings to cease.
In Kenya, journalists are constantly harassed and shot at by a brutal police force. We join our media colleagues across the continent in condemning these senseless violent acts, carried out by a police force driven who are anti journalists.
Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards (SBSJA)
SANEF’s newly elected management committee and council wish to congratulate all the winners of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalist Awards, particularly, Lucas Ledwaba, for being awarded the Journalist of the Year, in 2024.
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, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
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