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Association of Independent Publishers

May 27 2020

SANEF Mourns The Death of Community Media Activist and Editor Masindi Mkhize

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and the community media at large are deeply saddened to learn of the death of community media activist and editor, Ms Masindi Octavia Mkhize (43).

According to her family, Mkhize suffered a stroke and died on her way to the hospital on Friday, 22 May 2020.

Dunisani Ntsanwisi, SANEF’s Community Committee Convenor, said Masindi would be remembered for her passion and dedication towards the growth and sustainability of community print media platforms.

“She was one of the last few remaining voices for the community print media who pushed for the development of the sector in South Africa’s indigenous languages,” he said. He added that Mkhize had dedicated her life to the sector since 1995.

Mkhize was the publisher and editor of the Pinetown based newspaper, EzaKwazulu News. She was part of the team that forged a long-standing working relationship between the community media and the Office of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, which saw KwaZulu-Natal Community Print Media Publishers receiving more than R1 million in advertising revenue between 2009 and 2018. She was also part of the team of KwaZulu-Natal Publishers who signed an advertisement contract with Ethekwini Municipality in 2017, which has been running for over three years. Mkhize was recently appointed the Deputy-President of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP). She is survived by her three daughters.

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:

Mahlatse Mahlase – SANEF Chairperson, (083) 399-2852
Katy Katopodis – SANEF Deputy Chairperson, (082) 805-7022
Moipone Malefane – SANEF Secretary-General (082) 772-5861
Dunisani Ntsanwisi – SANEF Community Committee Convenor (073) 981- 8649
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 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

April 24 2020

AIP’s Open Letter to the President

News

The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) has written an open letter to the office of the Minister in the Presidency, Media Development and Diversity Agency and the Office of the President. Click here to download the letter:

It is with deep regret and anguish that the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) is writing this letter. As the president has made several announcements regarding economic relief to South Africans during this testing time, it seems that community print media is yet again forgotten.

In all of the relieve measures the president has made, independent community media has been sidelined and it is clear that the president does not regard the sector as an important contributor to not only the economy but the communities it serves.

The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is yet again playing hide-and-seek at a crucial time. It recently announced an emergency relief fund and gave our members less than three days to apply. The conditions on how the money was to be used were not only unclear but completely absurd. The emergency fund was a clear indication that the MDDA is out of touch with realities on the ground. We are to this day not clear how many publications received the grant and if there will be any further relief offered. The MDDA has shown that it does not care about the print sector and is willing to see it die a slow, painful death.

I am sure that as the economy is going through the current challenges, it is well known that corporations are to cut advertising spend which is a huge income loss for the community print sector. Something the government, MDDA and the Minister of the President is simply ignoring.

Our print members are still waiting to see a directive that will push government departments to place advertising in community newspapers, which was promised to the sector, more than a decade ago The issue of advertising is a sign of lack of political will by those in power to help keep the sector afloat. We are also very distraught that the money that the Competition Commission set out over a year ago as compensation especially for the community print as a result of the advertising cabal has not in any way reached community print.

As a solution to our continuing challenges we propose the following:

MDDA provides the emergency fund to all AIP member publications.
The Presidency must mandate all government departments to spend at least 30% of their advertising on community media.
The money that the Competition Commission fined mainstream media on the advertising irregularities must be made available to community media especially community print and the AIP, with immediate effect.
The AIP as an NPO be allowed in the period of 2020 to issue section 18A certificates to corporates that will be willing to make the donations to them.
The MDDA avails a budget to help NPOs in the media sector with some sort of relief.
That all relief measures afforded to SMMEs are extended to the NPOs such as the AIP.
The SETAs that are funding the sector on a project basis also work on a relief fund for NGOs that work with them

About AIP:

Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) is a membership association that represents grassroots community newspapers (both online and print). There are over 200 AIP members that publish over 7 million copies per month (reaching close to 28 million readers). Over 70% of our publishers are black and our publications service the most rural parts of the country.

AIP member publications are distinct from mainstream media owned by large media groups like Media 24, Sekunjalo, Caxton Group and Tiso Blackstar. Members publish primarily in rural areas and disadvantaged communities, in a diverse range of languages and service a diverse range of interests.

85 members publish in a combination of English, Afrikaans and a local language. 78% of publications are black-owned with 28% owned by women.

Our geographical communities range from rural Cofimvaba to the urban people of Bonteheuwel, Heideveld and the Cape Flats; from Makhado to Gansbaai; Mangaung to Jozini and many more in between.

Regards

Carol Mohlala

Executive Director