News

August 1 2025

SANEF, PanSALB, SAASTA, and the University of Limpopo Unite to Host 3rd Indigenous Languages and the Media

MEDIA STATEMENT

SANEF, PanSALB, SAASTA, and the University of Limpopo Unite to Host 3rd Indigenous Languages and the Media Seminar

Date: 01 August 2025

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and the University of Limpopo (UL), is proud to announce the 3rd Indigenous Languages and the Media Seminar, to be held at the University of Limpopo from 13 to 14 August 2025.

This vital collaboration seeks to highlight and strengthen the crucial role of media in preserving, promoting, and normalising the use of South Africa’s rich tapestry of indigenous languages. This year’s seminar theme is: “VOICES OF THE VILLAGE: Redefining Storytelling in a Digital Age.”

This joint initiative responds to a national call to action to fully integrate indigenous languages into the country’s mainstream and community media and public discourse. It also aligns with the Constitution of South Africa, which recognises 12 official languages, including Khoi and San languages, and affirms the right of every citizen to access information and public services in their language of choice.

The seminar will bring together journalists, media professionals, academics, policymakers, language practitioners, students, and community media representatives. It will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that explore topics such as:

The state of indigenous language media in South Africa
Innovations and best practices in multilingual journalism
The role of media in language revitalisation and cultural preservation
Community media’s role in indigenous language storytelling

By convening this dialogue, SANEF, PanSALB, NRF/SAASTA and UL hope to inspire a national movement to centre indigenous languages across all media platforms — from community newspapers to public broadcasters and digital news outlets.

We believe that language is not only a vehicle of communication but also a carrier of identity, heritage, and dignity. Promoting indigenous languages through media is, therefore, both a cultural and democratic imperative for society.

Invitation to Participate

We call upon all stakeholders, including government, mainstream and community media houses, editors, language boards, academia, and civil society to join us in this noble endeavour. Your participation will contribute to the growth and sustainability of indigenous languages and help shape a more inclusive media landscape in South Africa.

Together, let us harness the power of media to uplift the voices, stories, and languages that form the heartbeat of our nation.

Details about registration, programme, and logistics, contact the organisers below:

Details about registration, programme, and logistics, contact the organisers below:

SANEF Administrator: Ms Dzudzie Netshisaulu

Email: [email protected] Cell: 079 029 7656

UL Communications Department:

For Participation Enquiries: Mr Lebogang Mokaze – 071 233 3272 / [email protected]

For Media Enquiries: Mr Mosela Selepe – 082 882 5818 / [email protected]

Issued by:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF)
In partnership with PanSALB, SAASTA and the University of Limpopo.

July 21 2025

SANEF Mourns the Loss of Sowetan’s Executive Editor, Pearl Sebolao, and Veteran Sub-editor, Ike Segola

News, Obituaries

21 July 2025

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins the journalism community in mourning the passing of two stalwarts of South African media — Sowetan’s Executive Editor, Pearl Sebolao, and veteran sub-editor, Ike Segola. Their passing, within days of each other, has left a profound void in the newsrooms they helped shape and in the hearts of those who knew and worked alongside them.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pearl Sebolao

Pearl passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning following a short illness at the age of 50. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death at the Johannesburg Surgical Hospital in Northcliff. At the time of her passing, she was the Executive Editor of the Sowetan and its digital platform, leading one of the country’s most influential newsrooms.

A seasoned journalist and media executive, Sebolao leaves behind two children and her sister, Lerato, who described her as “a darling and a shining diamond of our family… the woman who held our family together.”

Her peers remembered her in the online Sunday World tribute as a quiet, determined force. Nwabisa Makunga, managing director of News and Media at Arena Holdings, praised Sebolao as a “quiet force… deeply committed to editorial excellence,” noting that her editorial contributions to Sowetan and BusinessLive shaped newsrooms and guided teams with distinction.

Her commitment to mentoring young journalists and ensuring editorial excellence was widely acknowledged. Sowetan’s editor, Sibongakonke Shoba, described her as “an important pillar of the Sowetan newsroom” and “a meticulous editor… dedicated to mentorship and skills training.” Makunga and Shoba are quoted from an internal staff note that went out.

Former Arena Holdings’ chief executive, Mzi Malunga, said: “Pearl was an underrated editor who was very diligent in her work… the last person I expected to speak about in the past tense.”

Kabelo Khumalo, Business Day editor, summed up her legacy beautifully: “Pearl, as her name suggests, was a highly prized gem. Calm under pressure, kind and considerate. The next generation of journalists has been deprived of a mentor.”

Former colleague Tefo Mothibeli shared a personal tribute: “Pearl was such a great person… She was jolly and respectful. I spent many holidays at her home. Her passing is deeply painful.”

Honouring the Quiet Giant: Ike Segola

SANEF also pays tribute to Ike Segola, a veteran subeditor remembered by his peers as “an unsung hero of South African journalism.” Segola was one of the invisible yet indispensable figures who shaped the voice and quality of Sowetan as the country’s largest-circulating daily newspaper.

Renowned journalist Joe Thloloe, writing in the Sowetan, called him “one of the behind-the-scenes giants of Sowetan.”

Noting that thousands of readers benefited from his meticulous editing, even though few knew his name. He painted a picture of their shared youth, friendship, and commitment to storytelling born out of the classrooms of Orlando High School: “The Rock prepared us for the life of storytelling that became our love.”

Mutloatse Mothobi, veteran journalist and publisher, described Segola’s unique courage: “I salute Rre Segola for having transitioned to that area most journalists feared – subbing – even in his mature years. Robala ka Kagiso, mogaecho.”

Colleagues recalled his humour, dedication, and deep sense of camaraderie. Mathatha Tsedu reflected on Ike’s years at Mwasa, where he held the fort when others were banned, and how, even in declining health, he attended a recent gathering of veteran journalists out of deep loyalty and spirit.

The flood of tributes on social media and WhatsApp groups from respected veterans speaks volumes about Ike Segola’s influence — not only as a guardian of journalistic standards but as a friend, mentor, and beloved elder in the profession.

SANEF extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of both Pearl Sebolao and Ike Segola. Their contributions to journalism were immense — one shaping headlines from the front, the other ensuring clarity and quality from behind the scenes. Together, they helped define a generation of principled South African journalism.

We honour their memory and express our gratitude for their unwavering commitment to truth, mentorship, and the written word. Their work lives on in the journalists they nurtured, the stories they shaped, and the readers they served.

May their souls rest in eternal peace.

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.

For more information, please contact:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

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

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

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

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (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

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

July 11 2025

SANEF Challenges Fikile Mbalula to Report any Cases of Unethical Journalistic Practice

Disinformation, Media Freedom, News

11 July 2025

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is concerned about the remarks made by ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, alleging unethical conduct on the part of some journalists who cover the ANC and its leaders.

This week, Mbalula publicly attacked the media and accused unnamed journalists of being part of factions within the governing party and having an agenda against the ANC. Unfortunately, Mbalula did not provide any evidence or clarity on the instances that he was referring to.

South Africa’s journalists have, over the years, covered all political parties without any fear or favour, and as an organisation, we have always advocated for journalists to conduct themselves in an ethical, balanced, and unbiased manner. Ethics and balanced reporting are the cornerstone of journalism. This is not to say that journalists are without flaws or beyond criticism.

While Mbalula claims to support media freedom, his conduct is contrary to his stated claim. If anything, his comments have the potential to erode media freedom and further exacerbate the trust deficit that exists between the media and the broader public. Mbalula is not only a leader in the ANC but also in society, and so his words are not without consequences.

At a time when the media is actively working to challenge disinformation and misinformation, Mbalula’s accusation – that the media is behind the spread of disinformation and misinformation – is not helpful.

Also, Mbalula has not reached out to SANEF to raise any of the concerns that he has publicly stated, despite his call on the organisation to “act decisively to confront this creeping ethical rot.”

If there is any rot, SANEF is always willing to address such, but cannot do so if such has not been brought to our attention. We are an organisation rooted in the defence of media freedom and promoting the highest standards in journalism.

Journalists across the spectrum do utilise anonymous sources, and this is an age-old practice which is not about to end anytime soon. But the use of anonymous sources is done within the prescripts of the Press Code.

If Mbalula is not satisfied or has a complaint against the work of any journalist, then he is free to approach the Press Council of SA and/or the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA. These two reputable bodies are charged with the responsibility of adjudicating any complaints against the media by a member of the public, including politicians, without having to pay a cent.

SANEF is ready to meet with Mbalula and his colleagues in the ANC to address any ethical concerns that they may have. At the same time, we challenge Mbalula to report any instance of suspected criminal conduct by journalists to the relevant law enforcement agencies. As a former cabinet minister, we expect him to know which relevant law enforcement door to knock on.

As the South African media, we are aware we will not always agree with those we report about, but we are always ready and available to have difficult conversations.

Note to Editors:

For more information, please contact:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

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

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

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

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (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

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

July 7 2025

Framing the Fight for Fairer Digital Markets

Access to Information & Media Policy, Media Freedom, News

South Africa is at a critical juncture in the global fight for fairer digital media markets, and a new publication — Framing the Fight for Fairer Digital Markets by Michael Markovitz — provides an essential guide to understanding this moment. This interim analysis explores how a journalism-led civil society alliance, coordinated by the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), influenced the country’s Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) led by the Competition Commission.

This document is more than a policy digest for journalists — it is a roadmap to understanding how their future is being shaped behind regulatory and algorithmic curtains. Here’s why every journalist in South Africa should download and study it.

What’s in the Document?

The report offers a detailed account of how a coalition of journalists, media organisations, academics, and public interest groups helped frame the MDPMI’s scope, submissions, and early recommendations. It traces SANEF’s leadership role in coordinating input from community media, public broadcasters, digital rights advocates and academia, creating one of the most significant acts of collaborative journalism advocacy in the democratic era.

Among the coalition’s key contributions were:

Framing the Inquiry Around Constitutional Rights: The alliance positioned journalism as a public good, calling for protections rooted in South Africa’s Constitution, particularly freedom of expression, access to information, and media diversity.
Challenging Algorithmic Bias: The alliance spotlighted how opaque algorithms on platforms like Google and Meta deprioritise local and vernacular news, hurting independent publishers and skewing public access to credible information.
Calling Out AdTech Exploitation: It exposed how programmatic advertising diverts value from quality journalism to viral and often harmful content, demanding structural reform of digital advertising practices.
Defining Credible Journalism Through Accountability: The alliance pushed for regulatory definitions that favour news organisations affiliated with self-regulatory bodies like the Press Council and BCCSA, reinforcing journalistic ethics and trust.
Advocating for a Media Industry Fund: Instead of short-term bailouts, the alliance called for a sustainable, independent fund — financed by a levy on digital ad revenue — to support diverse, public interest journalism across the country.
Highlighting the Public Broadcaster’s Role: The SABC’s exclusion from initial compensation discussions was challenged, ensuring the public broadcaster’s inclusion in eventual remedies.
Addressing Generative AI Exploitation: The alliance raised early concerns about how AI models are trained on news content without permission or compensation, advocating for transparency and negotiation frameworks.

This is not just abstract policy work. The MDPMI has made provisional recommendations that could directly affect newsroom sustainability, algorithmic visibility, and funding models. These include:

Considering ordering Google and other platforms to pay R300–R500 million annually to support South African journalism.
Introducing a 5–10% levy on digital advertising to fund an independent media support structure if platforms refuse fair compensation.
Structural remedies to restore visibility to local and credible journalism in search and social media feeds.

The report also reveals Google’s resistance to these reforms, showing why coordinated advocacy and legal clarity are critical if journalism is to thrive in the digital age.

Why You Should Read It

If you work in journalism today, you’re already affected by the shifting power of platforms. Your stories may not reach audiences not because of their quality, but because an algorithm deprioritised them. You may see advertising revenue fall despite strong readership, or struggle to monetise content in a system stacked against smaller outlets.

This document offers tools to understand — and challenge — that system.

It equips journalists with:

A legal and constitutional framework to defend journalism as a public good.
Knowledge of current digital platform practices and their consequences.
Strategic insight into how collective advocacy is shaping the national agenda.

Conclusion

Framing the Fight for Fairer Digital Markets is a must-read for all journalists, editors, media owners, and journalism educators. It’s not just a snapshot of the past two years of digital policy work; it is a blueprint for how journalists can assert their role in shaping a fairer digital media landscape.

Download it. Read it. Share it. Your newsroom’s survival may depend on what comes next.

Michael Markovitz is the Director of Media Leadership Think-Tank at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria

July 1 2025

SANEF Holds a Successful AGM and Reiterates that Media Houses Should be Members of the Press Council and/or BCCSA

Access to Information & Media Policy, Disinformation, Media Freedom, News

01 July 2025

On Saturday, 28 June in Johannesburg, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) held a non-elective Annual General Meeting that discussed various issues from training and development of journalists, mental wellness, the upcoming Media20 (M20) Summit, and the important role of the Press Council of SA. Also discussed was the long-awaited media engagement between President Cyril Ramaphosa and the broader media in South Africa.

The AGM took place at Kaya 959 and preceded the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards later that day. See Standard Bank and SANEF congratulate the winners of the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards » SANEF | Protecting Media Freedom

Market and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry/ Competition Commission

The AGM noted the progress that the Competition Commission has made with the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) and is looking forward to seeing the final report, expected at the end of August. The AGM was unequivocal in its position that all media entities must be members of the Press Council and/or the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA. This has always been SANEF’s position, which abides by the ethical codes set out by these industry bodies.

With the Competition Commission favouring the establishment of a country fund to support journalism, SANEF reiterates its position that no media house should be considered for any possible funding if they do not defer to the guidance of these reputable industry bodies that uphold journalism standards and ethics.

Print and Digital Media Transformation Report

SANEF also noted the release, in June, of the Print and Digital Media Transformation report. While the report marks an important intervention, it however does not include the broadcast media in the country. The exclusion of the broadcast media is unfortunate and makes it difficult to engage with the report, as the entire media landscape – and not just print and digital reporting publications – is facing challenges of sustainability. SANEF is looking to further engage with the GCIS on the report. With regards to the report, SANEF welcomes and supports the recommendation that only those who belong to the Press Council and BCCSA must be considered for any funds intended for the revitalisation of the media in South Africa.

Presidency Engagement

The AGM noted the progressive meeting between SANEF leadership and Kenny Morolong, the deputy minister in the Presidency, following the organisation’s criticism of the government and the Presidency’s attitude towards the South African media.

The meeting was also briefed on the deputy minister’s feedback at a recent media engagement event which he had communicated SANEF’s call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to have a direct engagement with the broader South African media, as he last took questions from the media in 2020. The ball is now in the President’s court.

Training of Journalists

The AGM resolved that more funds need to be raised for the continuous training of journalists. The training should be on areas such as financial journalism, mental wellness, indigenous languages reporting, and other specialised beats such as health and education. An institution of higher learning will be sought, with the view of partnering to provide such training and improvement of skills in newsrooms, given the massive skills deficit in most newsrooms due to the well-documented sustainability challenges of the media sector.

Progress on the M20

SANEF and Media Monitoring Africa, through the support of partners such as Brand SA and Standard Bank, have made significant progress regarding the preparations for the Media 20 (M20). The M20 is an independent initiative by the media and involves a series of media events that will take place parallel to the G20.

An international media summit has been planned for September, and numerous international media organisations have come on board to support the M20 efforts in South Africa.

There will be several policy issue papers that will be released, and more information can be found at Home – Media20. The work continues to focus on areas such as the role of AI in journalism, intellectual property, children in the media, and information integrity.

The safety of journalists is also a topic for the M20.

Note to Editors:

For more information, please contact:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

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

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

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

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (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

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.SANEF.org.za

June 27 2025

SANEF bemoans threats to media freedom carried by the Kenyan government

News

27 June 2025

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the intimidation and harassment tactics employed by the state against the media in Kenya. On Wednesday, the Kenyan government, through its Communications Authority of Kenya, called for the media to stop broadcasting LIVE footage from the youth protests currently happening in the country.

While we note the latest communication suspending this directive, media houses should not be stopped from exercising their media freedom and stopped from any kind of broadcasting.

The initial decision by the government to stop LIVE broadcast footage was unheard of and a clear disregard for media freedom. The decision to initially deplatform and jam signals, leaving viewers to only watch the media broadcasts on their YouTube or Facebook pages, is not welcomed and goes against the principles of media freedom.

As a continent, we already struggle with multiple threats to democracy and freedom of expression, and we will not tolerate any media censorship or threats to media freedom.

Kenya has broken its promises as a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which includes provisions for freedom of expression. Article 9 of this charter explicitly protects the right to receive information and to express and disseminate opinions within the law. Kenya is also signatory to other African charters which uphold media freedom, a right it is now not respecting.

We call on the government to allow the media and young people to express their views about the challenges they experience, which include structural youth unemployment and lack of opportunities, high cost of living and economic pressure, abuse of power by police against protestors and political exclusion, corruption and the other issues highlighted as the source of discontent and reason for the sporadic youth protests which started a year ago. Democracies need governments that listen to their people and protect their right to freedom of expression instead of suppressing them.

We in South Africa are speaking out because, as African journalists, we all face enough challenges while trying to do our job. Across Africa, the media plays a crucial role in sustaining democracy, playing the role of watchdog and being a bridge between the government and the people and an outlet for people’s concerns. In our context, the media’s role is often constrained by structural, political, and economic challenges.

Our continent is plagued by multiple challenges, including a lack of safety for journalists as they are attacked and even killed for exposing corruption by politicians and powerful businesspeople. State control of media, as seen in this example, has led to multiple instances of media censorship in multiple countries, including Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Egypt and now Kenya.

Various reports have been released over the last year detailing how African journalists fear for their lives with regular harassment, arrests, and sometimes murder for reporting against powerful players, including instances in Cameroon, Uganda, and Eritrea.

The law, meant to protect journalists and citizens alike, is often used to suppress and censor the media when they seek to expose corruption and abuse of power. Many African media houses are plagued by a lack of funding, infrastructure, and skilled personnel, which makes them easy prey for the well-funded and politically connected, who use and abuse the media’s role and power for their nefarious means.

Kenya joins a long list of governments that fail to respect media freedom, including Uganda and Tanzania, which regularly crack down on online media platforms and social media platforms that seek to expose corruption or keep power in check.

Nigerian journalists also regularly face death threats and harassment from the government and other business powers, while Rwandan media is mostly state-controlled, and dissenting journalists are jailed or exiled.

We, as SANEF, call on the African Union (AU) to intervene and ensure its member states uphold the freedom of expression charters they signed. The AU also needs to support countries to strengthen independent regulatory bodies, support local journalism capacity-building and training, promote media literacy among citizens to combat misinformation, and fund and protect investigative journalism while enforcing laws that protect freedom of expression and access to information.

Note to Editors:

For more information, please contact:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

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

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

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

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (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

Twitter: @SAEditorsForum

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sanef.org.za

June 23 2025

South Africa’s Digital News Landscape in 2025

Disinformation, News, Partners

A Continent in Transition, a Country at a Crossroads

South Africa’s place in the 2025 Reuters Institute Digital News Report reveals a nation navigating a shifting digital news ecosystem. Set against a global backdrop of declining trust in traditional media, the rise of influencer-driven content, and the disruption of AI technologies, South Africa reflects many of these challenges but also offers unique insights from the African continent.

In line with global trends, South African audiences are turning away from legacy news formats like print and broadcast and leaning into social media and video platforms for news. According to the report, 33% of South Africans use TikTok for news, and 42% rely on YouTube, among the highest on the continent. These figures place South Africa closer to countries like Kenya and Nigeria, where younger, mobile-first populations have bypassed traditional media entirely, and further from the digital restraint still seen in Western Europe.

The rise of social video signals not only a change in format but a shift in trust. Across South Africa, audiences report paying more attention to content from news creators and influencers than traditional journalists, especially on platforms like TikTok. This parallels the global trend of personality-led journalism, where individuals with large followings often outperform newsrooms in audience engagement.

Trust and Misinformation Worries

South Africa reflects the global anxiety over misinformation. 73% of respondents say they are concerned about their ability to discern true from false information online, on par with Nigeria and the United States, well above the global average of 58%. Online influencers and politicians are viewed as the primary sources of misleading content, highlighting both the power and potential peril of the influencer-news dynamic.

Despite this, traditional news brands and government sources remain the top go-to platforms for verifying facts. This suggests that, while social platforms are becoming the default gateway for news, established brands still carry a credibility advantage—albeit a shrinking one.

AI: Scepticism with Cautious Engagement

One of the most significant global findings of the 2025 report is the emergence of AI chatbots and summarisation tools as legitimate news sources. Although only 7% globally report using AI for news weekly, this figure jumps to 15% among under-25s. South Africa mirrors this cautious adoption, with audiences expressing concern over AI’s potential to reduce trust and transparency in journalism. While users appreciate AI’s ability to summarise stories or translate them into indigenous languages, a potentially powerful tool in South Africa’s multilingual media landscape, they remain wary of fully automated content.

The shift away from traditional media is not just about platforms but also about generational values. South Africa’s young, urban, mobile-first population increasingly prefers video over text. This is echoed in broader Global South trends, where reading-intensive formats are being eclipsed by short-form, visual content. However, this shift coincides with growing news fatigue. As in many other countries, a significant portion of South Africans now selectively avoid news, especially content perceived as negative, political, or overwhelming.

Comparisons with the Global North

South Africa’s digital news environment shares much with first-world counterparts in the types of disruption but differs in intensity and cause. Where Western nations are grappling with news fatigue due to overexposure and political fatigue, South Africa’s issues are compounded by data costs, digital literacy gaps, and declining newsroom resources.

While countries like Norway and the UK still enjoy relatively high rates of digital news subscriptions (42% and 9% respectively), only a small fraction of South Africans pay for online news. Free, mobile-accessible platforms dominate. This economic reality curtails the viability of subscription-driven models that have helped sustain journalism in the West.

Opportunities in Crisis

Yet, within these challenges lie opportunities. The South African data shows strong interest in local news, especially when delivered in accessible formats. There is also a tangible appetite for AI to enhance news relevance, accessibility, and language inclusion. These are potential areas for innovation and localisation that could serve not just South Africa but also offer a blueprint for the rest of the continent.

As the Digital News Report 2025 makes clear, South Africa is part of a new “social-first” global news ecosystem. It is a country where the old guard of journalism is being disrupted not just by technology, but by a generation that demands news on its own terms: fast, visual, interactive, and personalised. The question is not whether South Africa will follow global trends, but how creatively and inclusively it can chart its own path, the report concludes.

ENDS

June 19 2025

Minister Godongwana Calls for Auditing of Political Parties at IEC Symposium

Elections, News, Partners, Seminars

Minister Enoch Godongwana addressing the IEC Political Funding Symposium: Picture: IEC

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has made a bold call for the thorough auditing of political parties that receive public funds, asserting that transparency and accountability are central to sustaining South Africa’s democratic integrity.

Delivering the keynote address at the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) first-ever Political Funding Symposium in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Godongwana emphasised the urgent need for all registered parties to comply with legal financial reporting obligations.

“Words must translate into action,” said Godongwana, lamenting that the majority of political parties have failed to submit audited annual financial statements for the past three years. He reminded delegates that these statements are a legal requirement under the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA), which came into effect in 2021. He called on the IEC to enforce sanctions without fear or favour to protect the credibility of the political system.

Godongwana’s address came as South Africa grapples with declining trust in political institutions and heightened public scrutiny over the use of public funds. Citing reforms introduced through the PPFA, such as donation thresholds, prohibitions on foreign donations, and mandatory disclosures, the Minister warned that persistent loopholes and weak enforcement continue to threaten the integrity of democratic processes.

“We must curtail opportunities for parties with questionable intentions to gain power. This requires a strong fiscus and responsible public finance management, shunning wastage and ensuring traceability of all money flows,” he said, warning that opaque financial systems erode public trust and invite illicit influence.

A major concern raised by Godongwana is that current political finance legislation excludes local government, despite municipalities being the closest tier to citizens and frequently plagued by service delivery failures. He urged a revision of the legislation to cover municipal-level political funding, warning that the absence of transparency at this level undermines governance and weakens democracy at its foundation.

He could not commit to the timeframe for the government to start funding parties contesting the local government elections, saying the discussions involving stakeholders, including the South African Local Government Association, which represents local governments at various stages and levels of government as well as provides support in their efforts of development.

IEC Vice Chairperson commissioner Janet Love.
Pic: IEC

Vice Chairperson Janet Love, in her remarks summarising key deliberations from the previous day, acknowledged the pressing concerns raised by stakeholders. She highlighted several critical suggestions from delegates, including the proposal to establish an independent oversight body distinct from the IEC to monitor compliance with funding regulations. This, she noted, would preserve the IEC’s neutrality while ensuring robust accountability mechanisms.

“There is growing concern about the IEC’s dual role as both administrator and enforcer,” said Love. “Delegates are proposing structural reforms that would both strengthen compliance and protect the IEC’s institutional integrity.”

Love also reflected on calls from civil society and smaller political parties for greater access to public funding, which many argue remains skewed in favour of larger, established parties. There was broad consensus that transparent, equitable funding is necessary to ensure a level playing field and to deepen participatory democracy.

Godongwana echoed these sentiments, calling for an eventual move towards full public funding of political parties, with a fair and transparent formula to determine allocations. He underscored the need to align political finance laws with broader efforts to fight corruption, reform procurement systems, and close legislative gaps.

“We must build a system that empowers voters, strengthens institutions, and upholds the values of the Constitution,” he concluded.

ENDS

June 19 2025

IEC Political Funding Symposium Flags Public Trust Crisis in SA

Elections, News, Partners, Seminars

As the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa convened its landmark Political Funding Symposium in Durban to discuss progressive models for financing political activity, a sobering report by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) jolted the conversation into reality: public trust in political parties and politicians is at an all-time low.

According to the nationally representative research, only 17% of South Africans express confidence in political parties, while a mere 14% trust politicians.

You can access the HSRC research report here.

The research, commissioned by the IEC, paints a bleak picture of the nation’s political mood. A staggering 80% of South Africans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, while 58% express discontent with democracy itself.

Despite this, 66% say they would still vote if elections were held tomorrow, signalling a persistent, if not a strained, commitment to democratic participation.

Image Credit: Gallo Images / Beeld / Deaan Vivier

Perhaps most telling is the public’s unwillingness to financially support the very system meant to represent them and protect the country’s democratic elections from foreign interference through anonymous and possibly foreign political funding.

The research finds that only 9% of South Africans have ever donated to a political party, and among those who haven’t, 73% express no interest in ever doing so. Even the state-backed Multi-Party Democracy Fund (MPDF), designed to depoliticise donations and reduce elite capture, has failed to gain traction. Over half of South Africans have never heard of it, and nearly three-quarters are unwilling to contribute, even when offered tax rebates.

The findings suggest a deep alienation from the political class. The reasons for public reluctance are varied: a lack of trust in politicians, ignorance of the regulatory frameworks, scepticism and fears of misuse of funds, and sheer economic hardship. Those more politically engaged or already party members were slightly more inclined to donate, but even this effect was weak, the document finds.

Implemented in 2021 and amended in 2024, the Political Funding Act (PFA) was designed to enhance transparency and fairness in party financing. It mandates the disclosure of large private donations and introduced the MPDF. However, awareness of the Act remains alarmingly low, with 61% of South Africans never having heard of it. Education, wealth, and political engagement were significant predictors of awareness, leaving large segments of the population uninformed.

Even among those aware of the PFA, the document says support is tepid. Just 42% of the public support laws like the PFA, while 29% remain neutral and 16% are unsure. Only a slim majority (55%) support tracking political party expenditures to verify donation claims, an essential step towards detecting fraud or manipulation.

Despite overall distrust, 64% of South Africans still believe the IEC should be responsible for overseeing political funding transparency. Yet confidence in the Commission’s ability to enforce compliance is fragile: only 9% express very high confidence, and 19% say they have no confidence at all. This signals the need not only for better capacity but also for a public-facing strategy to restore trust in the institution’s oversight role.

Recommendations from the HSRC Research

The HSRC report doesn’t stop at diagnosis. It puts forward a series of concrete recommendations, including:

Enhanced Public Education Campaigns: To raise awareness of the Political Funding Act and the MPDF across all socio-economic groups.
Increased IEC Capacity: Calls to improve the technical, investigative, and auditing capabilities of the IEC to enforce compliance.
Hybrid Regulatory Models: Shift from a purely income-based disclosure regime to a hybrid income-and-expenditure model, which could expose discrepancies between reported donations and actual campaign spending.
Strengthening Gender Equity: Encourage the use of public funds to promote gender-responsive political financing and better support for women candidates.
Collaboration with Other Institutions: Include entities like the Auditor-General, SARS, and the Hawks in financial monitoring efforts.

The delegates in the symposium described the findings of the HSRC’s report as a wake-up call for political renewal in the country, and not just academic. As South Africa stares down another electoral cycle next year for the local government, the data mirror a citizenry that is politically exhausted, economically constrained, and increasingly disillusioned.

If parties, regulators, and civil society fail to respond to this crisis of trust with urgency, the country risks watching its democratic institutions wither from the inside out.

The IEC’s Political Funding Symposium may have been a forum for policy ideas, but the HSRC report made it clear: without public trust, even the best regulations may be dead on arrival.

ENDS