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SANEF Saddened by Kuli Roberts’ Passing

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins other South Africans as we send condolences to the family of Kuli Roberts, who’s passing the country learnt of today. She passed away on Wednesday night in Johannesburg.

Kuli (49) worked across media platforms such as television, radio, magazines, and newspapers. She was known for her witty and smart comments.

Kuli worked for Kaya FM where she presented the breakfast show with the late Bob Mabena, wrote columns for Sunday tabloids, Sunday World, and the now defunct Sunday Sun.

She also presented shows at the SABC such as The Real Goboza and Trending SA. Recently she pursued an acting career as she featured on dramas such as The Queen, Inkabi and Angelina. She was known as an enterprising entertainment all-rounder who spoke out against any ill-treatment, and not only of celebrities, with known views on issues such as albinism and homophobia.

Kuli’s last job in the newsroom was at Sunday World. The newspaper’s editor, Wally Mbhele, said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of former colleague Kuli Roberts last night. Her untimely death has not only left us shocked with disbelief, but it leaves a huge emptiness in both the world of journalism and the entertainment industry.

“We’ll forever remember Kuli as a vibrant colleague in the Sunday World newsroom who always was driven by perpetual energy and powerful desire to empower young female journalists.”

Rhode Marshall, former managing editor at City Press, said: “I’ve followed Kuli’s career long before I joined the industry. Over the years she has remained as passionate, committed, and true to self as I remember. Something that’s very rare, especially when you’re always successfully reinventing yourself.

“She did it so effortlessly. Kuli was always incredibly kind and willing to encourage and share her knowledge, insight and skills with young reporters navigating their way through the entertainment industry. An important takeout from her life is to live fully.”

Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF’s chairperson, said: “Nomakula made her mark in the media over the decades. Her passing comes as a shock. We would like to send our commiserations to her children and the rest of the family. She was a true role model to many aspiring, young journalists as she was a true trailblazer in entertainment journalism. Strength to the Mboya and Roberts families.”

Recently there was controversy after Kuli was unveiled as a councillor candidate in the last municipal elections for ATM, something she later denied. The allegations that she stood for office eventually led to her being dismissed from Sunday World. She denied the allegations despite ATM having put her on their candidate list.

Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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Media Coalition Welcomes Botswana Government’s Amendments to New Bill

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The coalition of Southern African journalism organisations in Gaborone this week, led by the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF), to investigate the country’s controversial new Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill has welcomed the Botswana government’s amendments to the Bill.

The government released amendments which reinstated judicial oversight over surveillance, interceptions and seizures. It also criminalized the abuse of these powers and introduced a new committee, headed by a judge and with extensive powers, that will oversee undercover investigations.

The coalition of organisations representing journalists across the SADC region gathered in Gaborone at the invitation of BEF. It came in response to the government’s plan to push through parliament a law that would have threatened the work of journalists and the country’s media freedom and free expression.

The coalition was led by the BEF and included the Press Council of Botswana, MISA Botswana, the Southern African Editors’ Forum (Saef), the Media Institute of Southern Africa, the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the WAN-Ifra Media Freedom Committee. This group asked to meet the President and other government officials to discuss their objections to the Bill.

It was a strong show of solidarity that highlighted the concern with a draft law that African Editors Forum chair Jovial Rantao called “draconian”.

The government’s latest amendments to the Bill removed clauses that would allow authorities to surveil citizens and conduct undercover operations without a warrant for up to 14 days. It went further and criminalized the abuse of these powers, with penalties up to life imprisonment. The new Controlled Investigations Coordination Committee will coordinate such investigations and also “protect the interests of interception subjects and targets”. The committee will be headed by a judge and has strong powers to “impose administrative sanctions, award compensation, issue and follow up enforcement procedures”. Its decisions will have “the same effects as a judgement of the court”.

“In our view, this is not a perfect Bill, but we are prepared to live with it as part of a trade-off that citizens make in a democratic society to help the state fight modern-day crimes like financial terrorism and money-laundering,” said Spencer Mogapi of BEF.

“I want to thank media colleagues from the region and abroad who came to show solidarity with us in Botswana at a time when we felt that the future was all dark,” he said.

“We appreciate that the government heard the concerns and quickly made changes to improve the Bill. It is a very positive sign when governments respond in this way.

“From a Bill that threatened media freedom, Botswana now has one that regulates covert investigations. It is not perfect, but – if implemented properly – can have positive effects, said Anton Harber, of (CFE).

Joseph Ailonga of SAEF said: “We welcome these amendments and would want to encourage our colleagues in Botswana to now focus on the implementation of this bill once passed.”

Tabani Moyo, MISA regional director, said: “We welcome the government’s decision to water down the bill, although needs to be done to balance citizens’ right to privacy and national security. We will continue to engage with the government and citizens to ensure that rights are protected.”

Contacts:

  • Anton Harber, Campaign for Free Expression  +27-83-3039497 [email protected]
  • Spencer Mogapi, Botswana Editors’ Forum +267 72110101
  • Joseph Ailonga, Southern African Editors’ Forum +264 85-2717853
  • Tabani Moyo, Misa [email protected]

 

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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SANEF Mourns the Passing of Veteran Broadcaster, Dumile Mateza

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) mourns the passing of legendary sport commentator and veteran broadcaster, Dumile Mateza.

Mateza has been in broadcasting for over thirty years when he passed on. Mateza (62) succumbed to cancer, according to his family. Soccer, rugby, and boxing followers would remember Mateza’s distinct commentary across various SABC radio and television channels. He also hosted various news actuality and magazine shows.

Besides sport commentary, Mateza was passionate about writing and the entire journalism fraternity. Those who worked closely with him knew how he was never shy to express his views on the state of journalism.

Mateza was born in the Eastern Cape, before he became a broadcaster, he was a school teacher. He is famed, among others, for his Afrikaans commentary of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, which the Springboks won.

He had incisive views on various challenges in our sporting codes, whether it was cricket, soccer, rugby, horseracing, or boxing. In one of his various roles, he was once a board member of Boxing South Africa.

Timothy Molobi, City Press’ sport and news editor, said: “Mr Mateza was a real doyen of sports commentary as he would take you with him to events. It was rare to find someone who was at home in three different sporting codes – rugby, football and boxing and Mr Mateza was there with the best – a rare breed indeed. Just his voice would make you ask for more, especially when he drifted away from the game to talk about something else unrelated. He was an inspiration to many of us who looked up to him when we first came into the sports industry and learnt a lot from him. We will clearly miss his insightful knowledge of the sporting codes, and his humour. May his soul rest in peace.”

Thabiso Tema, talk radio host and sport commentator, said: “In the past two years we have all had to endure great loss as death stalked us at every turn. And yet despite its constant presence, death has not lost its sting. It was thus with great sadness that we woke up to the news of the passing of Dumile Mateza. Sad as the death of anyone is, it is difficult not smile when thinking of Mateza, as everyone fondly called him.

“That’s because of the man’s endearing personality, a larger-than life character who filled every space he occupied. Mateza was a prodigiously talented broadcaster, who shone in front of the camera and beamed on the microphone. He inspired a generation of sports casters, including myself. I admired his versatility and the depth of his insights into a variety of sports.

“He was a trailblazer who broke the mould in South African sports broadcasting, entrenching himself as the original polyglot broadcaster, equally adept in his native isiXhosa, English and most remarkably, in Afrikaans. Mateza was the consummate professional, a broadcaster who took his work and his audience very seriously. He was passionate about his craft and often bemoaned falling standards not just in broadcasting, but journalism in general.

“Mateza was unique, often imitated by never replicated. Many have mimicked and even mocked him, mostly with affection and rarely with derision. The words legend and legendary are thrown about with gay abandon these days but they certainly are not misplaced in describing the legacy of Mateza. He is a legend because his work has become legendary. The inimitable drawl shall be heard no more but shall never be silenced; that raucous guffaw will shake the walls no more but reverberate forever in our hearts.

“Broadcasting has lost a pioneer, sports administration has lost a passionate workaholic and the church has lost a faithful servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones along with all those who had the pleasure of calling Dumile a friend. Mateza your work here is done and the mark you leave is indelible. Thank you for paving the way for us, a new generation of sports broadcaster to showcase our talents on all platforms. We hope to do your do your legacy proud. Rest in Peace Msasazi, hamba kakuhle nkabi…sizawudibana phesheyaphaya!!

Mathews Mpete, sport editor at Daily Sun, paid tribute: “One of the very few breeds in sportscasting, a man of very few words, but vocal when faced with a microphone and TV cameras. In his heydays, Ntate Mateza, as I used to call him, was one of the sports journalists who inspired many aspiring broadcasters into the field, let alone potential boxers.

“He was versatile in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans, and his accent and pronunciation of words is the reason we mostly fell in love with him. The last time I spent time with him was at a boxing tournament where he was commentating in Secunda, and he gave me pointers on several boxers.

“As a journalist, we’re always not shy to ask questions and need for guidance on athletes’ profiles and their means of strength, and he was willing to share.

“Ntate Mateza spoke about all boxers as if they are his friends, giving me their weaknesses and strengths, and how prolific they are in the ring. True to his predictions, the said boxers that he bet on winning, lifted their respective belts.

“This is the reason Boxing SA was at its peak when he was in their board, they too have lost a strategic mentor. He taught us a lot and for that we are grateful to his family for having borrowed him to us, and we indeed reaped a lot from his craft. Lala ngoxolo Ntate Mateza”

Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.

For more information please contact:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

 

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SAEF Expresses Shock at the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill Before the Botswana Parliament

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The Southern African Editors’ Forum (SAEF) is deeply alarmed at what is about to happen in Botswana – the thwarting and suppression of free expression among its people and by extension the media through the contemplated Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill.

SAEF joins the Botswana Editors’ Forum (BEF) and the African Editors Forum in calling on President Mokgweetsi Masisi to withdraw the Bill before Parliament and allow for wider public consultations as it is bound to have serious ramifications not only on the people of Botswana but the whole SADC region because of clear and known interconnectedness between the people and institutions of the country.

The Bill in its current format is dangerous as it forces the disclosure of information by citizens including journalists and allows intelligence officers to use fake identities while providing them immunity from prosecution.

A lack of oversight on the intelligence operatives is itself frightening, especially in a county we had come to regard as a beacon of good governance.

The Bill will also introduce a culture of arrogance and willy-nilly condemnation and execution of innocent citizens reminiscent of the colonial and apartheid-era. What Botswana is advocating in the Bill is totally against the ethos and spirit of the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport to which Botswana and 15 other member states in the region are now signatories.

Four key articles and clauses in that sanctity document stand out for us and all the people of SADC and these are Articles 17(a), 18(4), 19(1) and 20 but especially the last two which speak about member states agreeing to “cooperate in improving the free-flow of information within the region” and ensuring the “freedom and independence of the media”.

We are worried as SAEF, and here we associate ourselves with both TAEF and BEF that the contemplated piece of legislation will negate all the gains made through the regionally, continentally, and globally acclaimed Protocol which is concomitant with the Windhoek Declaration.

Even without this Bill, there was already widespread assault on the media in Botswana. We shudder what will become of the media when this Bill becomes a law.

We hope Parliament in Botswana and also the State President will be responsive to public outcry and take the Bill out to the public for consultations.

Additionally, we call on the United Nations Human and Peoples Rights Commission, through the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, and also the African Union Commission to take a stand and sanction Botswana.

Botswana, it is important to point out, does not have a Freedom of Information law. This by itself, even without this envisaged law has huge negative implications on the functions of the media and also on citizens’ ability to access information and hold authorities accountable.

For a country that has a reputation of democracy, the absence of Freedom of Information law is a big failure on the part of authorities.
We call upon all journalists in the SADC region and the world over to come together in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Botswana.

SAEF together with other regional media freedom partners will as a matter of urgency be sending a delegation to Botswana in solidarity.

Enquiries:
Willie Mponda
SAEF Chairperson
Email: [email protected]
Joseph Ailonga
SAEF Secretary General
Email: [email protected]

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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Phathiswa Magopeni’s Unfortunate Dismissal by the SABC

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is saddened by the dismissal of Phathiswa Magopeni, SABC’s Group Executive: News and Editor-in-Chief.

Magopeni’s abrupt dismissal comes before a panel had adjudicated her very serious grievances against CEO, Madoda Mxakwe, and chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini, alleging that they had interfered in the editorial independence of the SABC by forcing her to set up interviews with ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, during last year’s municipal elections campaign.

Magopeni confidently contends that her sacking is directly linked to her refusal to take instructions from her bosses.

This pattern needs to be condemned because it makes a mockery of labour laws and associated processes. It also leads to a mistrust of our public institutions and denies the public broadcaster their constitutionally protected freedom of media. An environment where people can be fired following political interference by the ANC-influenced elections campaign leads to self- censorship and restrains journalists and media workers from the freedom they need to do their job.

Magopeni has been treated unfairly by the SABC as they continued to ignore her submissions to their various nefarious intents, such as calling her to give reasons for mitigation against her dismissal, which she wrote back to, yet they ignored that and released an ill-informed statement regarding her dismissal.

The SABC management and board, since making the announcement to charge Magopeni, has carried itself in a questionable manner that has not only been disheartening, but has also put a negative dent on the reputation of the public broadcaster.

It’s unfortunate that the gains made in recent years since Magopeni assumed the leadership of the news team are now being taken backward, by a management team that wants to see the news division led asunder with clear political influence from the ANC.

SANEF remains committed to media freedom and believe that the news division of the SABC should continue pushing back against intentional ANC propaganda, in whatever shape or form it takes.
We will continue to support editors at a key institution such as the SABC, who continue to fight back against any undue editorial interference.

The SABC plays a key role in our constitutional democracy, editors espousing independence who work for it must be given the freedom and independence to do their jobs and make decisions even when they are politically unpopular, as long as they are for the good of public interest. The SABC cannot be a place for serving any political party’s agendas, factionalism or serving any narrow political interests.

We are resolute that this outrageous decision by the SABC will be challenged by all endeavouring to see an independent SABC newsroom. The public, the main stakeholder in the institution, envisage no such political interference at the public broadcaster.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

 

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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Webinar Invitation: The Role of the Digital Economy in South African Media Post Covid-19

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) in partnership with Sanlam would like to formally invite you to our webinar; The role of the digital economy in South African media post Covid-19.

Please see below details of the webinar and the zoom link for connection.

Topic: Webinar: The role of the digital economy in South African media post Covid-19

Date          : 3rd February 2022

Time         : 11:00am- 12:00pm

Platform  : Zoom

For more information please contact:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
  • Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary-General (082) 772-5861
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (078) 041-9528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Gauteng Regional Convenor (083) 582-1734
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

SANEF Laments the Damage and Lack of Maintenance of Nat Nakasa’s Grave

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is disappointed by news that the eThekwini Municipality has not fulfilled a promise to restore the dedicated tomb of anti- apartheid icon, journalist Nathaniel Nat Nakasa.

His gravesite and that of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa, were vandalised in 2021. Nat, whose legacy is celebrated in SANEF’s annual Nat Nakasa Courageous Journalism award, died in Upstate New York in 1965.

At the time he was on a one-way visa in the US, on a Nieman Scholarship, to escape threats to his life under the apartheid regime. SANEF, together with the Nakasa family and a range of stakeholders, worked tirelessly for years to bring the remains back to his childhood suburb of Chesterville outside Durban.

In 2014 his remains were returned to SA for reburial at the Chesterville cemetery Hero Acres site, a fulfilment of his last wish to return home to the country where he was born. Sanef is saddened by the turn of events and calls on the municipality to restore his gravesite – that is considered a shrine to journalism.

He paid a high price for his sacrifices, and everything must be done to restore his final resting place. SANEF has contacted the municipality division that was responsible for the reburial as well as the eThekwini municipality in the hope that the gravesites can be properly restored and bring comfort to all.

SANEF calls on the eThekwini Municipality to ensure better security at the Hero Acres as such vandalism cannot be allowed with criminals running amok and there is no prosecution.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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Call for Tender: Organising Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards and Event Management’ Project

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Introduction

The Awards encourage and recognise excellent journalistic work. Over the years, the Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards have become one of the key highlights in journalism awards.

The awards 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.

Previously called the Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards (MSNA), in recent years the awards have been known as the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards. Standard Bank has now contracted the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) to oversee the organisation of the awards. SANEF is the most influential media freedom advocacy grouping in South Africa. SANEF members are veteran founding editors, current title editors, senior editors and journalists working in print, broadcasting, and digital mainstream at national, regional and community media levels. It also serves media trainers and academics from major journalism departments and training institutions across the country.

SANEF’s vision is to promote quality and ethical journalism across all media platforms, while reflecting SA’s diversity, and to champion freedom of expression. The awards are planned to be the national flagship of ethical and credible journalism awards across the media platforms which is Print, Digital, Radio and TV.

The Awards event will be attended by Standard Bank’s executives, senior journalists, editors, publishers, executives from the advertising, PR/marketing, and media agencies as well as clients and service providers to the entire newspaper industry.

Awards and Event Management Services

SANEF would like to invite event management companies and individuals to bid to manage the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards processes and event:

SANEF is seeking bids to help it organise

  • Management of fair and transparent invitation for applications across various categories
  • Publicise the awards and promote its theme and concept to the broader media fraternity without prejudice to any media platform
  • Be instrumental in the secretariat from ensuring all the entries are sorted, recorded, and ensure they are qualifying, and that information is complete. They should arrange packages for the judges
  • Work closely with the SANEF office in ensuring the judging process is smoothly run, resourceful and efficient
  • Facilitate the communication with shortlisted candidates. Source trophies and certificates

Awards Event Management

  • Outline of how the company/individual would approach the Sikuvile Journalism Award Gala dinner event.

Event concept/theme including entertainment and decorations,

proposed venues and menus,

detailed budget); and or

  • Present a marketing strategy to promote and publicise the awards.

Tender documents

SANEF_Call_toTender_Event_Management_JournalismAwards-24 January 2022

Prospective companies and individuals should submit a document that contains the following:

  • Name of company/individual and contact details including company registration and ID numbers of representatives
  • Profile and references

Bidders can apply with proposals that detail all proposed processes/systems for applications to facilitate a fair and transparent adjudication, the format envisaged for the awards event, and a timeframe for producing a world-class awards event, amid Covid-19 restrictions, as well as total cost with budget heads indicated.

Shortlisted bidders will be asked to present to the SANEF management team.

Send your proposal in writing to Dzudzie Netshisaulu by email: [email protected]

DEADLINE: Midnight, Monday 07 February 2022

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.

Website: www.sanef.org.za

For more information please contact:

  • Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
  • Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary-General (082) 772-5861
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (073) 404-1415
  • Janet Heard – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (078) 041-9528
  • Hopewell Radebe – SANEF Gauteng Regional Convenor (083) 582-1734
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

Socials

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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SANEF Mourns the Untimely Death of City Press Journalist, Poloko Tau

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“A journalist’s journalist,” is how Mondli Makhanya, City Press’ Editor-in-Chief, has described the untimely passing of the newspaper’s features writer, Poloko Tau.

Poloko, capable of telling undiscovered untold stories while writing them as humanely as possible, was also talented in writing about the myriad of challenges to service delivery issues facing most municipalities across the country.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins the family, journalism fraternity and friends as we mourn Poloko’s passing. He was found dead at home in Mmabatho, Mahikeng, North West Province, on Friday afternoon.

His younger brother, Onkemetse Tau, said the family was devastated by his sudden death and disclosed that Poloko died a week before his 42nd birthday.

Makhanya further said: “This is not just a loss for the family and City Press. It is a loss for South African journalism. Poloko told stories that mattered to all, and he did so in the most empathetic way.”

Nicki Gules, Tau’s former news editor at City Press, described him as a very talented writer with a passion for telling the stories of ordinary people.

“Poloko was a wonderful colleague and a fantastic storyteller. He wrote with great empathy for people and in a way that brought the stories to life. He was also very committed to his work as a journalist.”

There are many stories that Poloko wrote that she remembers years after editing them.

“One is his investigation into the multimillion-rand mobile clinic contract that Gupta-linked company, Mediosa, scored in the North West Province. Poloko followed that story relentlessly. Another was his harrowing account of the murder of little Kutlwano Garesape, the six-year-old boy who was tossed in the air and disembowelled by an attacker who tried to rape his mother as she walked him and his brother to school. Poloko’s story made me weep at my desk,” she said.

“Poloko was a devoted son, father and grandfather. His family have lost a pillar, as has City Press.”

Sbu Ngalwa, SANEF’s chairperson, said: “We are saddened and devastated by Poloko’s passing. He was a talented writer and rare gem, mostly when it came to telling the human story. These are the kind of stories that changed lives and were written emphatically by a journalist not only wanting to write a story, but to write one that would bring change.”

SANEF extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610-9374
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695

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Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: SANEF

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