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Slindile Khanyile

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Indigenous Languages are a Key to a Sustainable Media Landscape

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Khusela Diko & Slindile Khanyile. Pic: Dzudzie Netshisaulu

The promotion and commercialisation of Indigenous languages is a cultural imperative and a viable solution to the economic woes of news organisations, declared the 2025 Indigenous Languages and Media Seminar, held at the University of Limpopo on August 13th and 14th.

The two-day seminar underscored the critical role of South Africa’s Indigenous languages in revitalising the media industry. It was attended by the Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms. Khusela Diko-Sangoni.

The seminar, a collaboration between the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), and the University of Limpopo, brought together journalists, editors, civil society representatives, language practitioners, and academics to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

The seminar began on a sombre note, with a powerful opening address from SANEF Media Freedom Committee chairperson, Slindile Khanyile, highlighting the harsh realities facing the industry, particularly the recent retrenchments at the Mail & Guardian, where many seasoned journalists lost their jobs due to a decline in advertising revenue.

To make matters worse, Khanyile bemoaned the fact that some of the retrenched journalists have not yet received their full severance packages, leaving them unable to pay their bonds, settle debts, or cover school fees for their children.

She emphasised that this was not an isolated incident but a frequent occurrence in legacy news organisations, which are struggling with declining revenue and audience migration to digital platforms. She painted a grim picture, noting that if major newsrooms are facing such a crisis, the situation is even more dire for smaller, community-based news organisations.

“These smaller organisations, however, possess a unique advantage: they are rooted in Indigenous languages. This presents a significant opportunity for growth and sustainability, provided their work receives the necessary support,” Khanyile said.

A Call for Commercialisation and Integrity

Victor Kgomoeswana

Echoing these sentiments,Victor Kgomoeswana, the University of Limpopo’s executive director for marketing and communications, stressed that while South Africa has made substantial progress with policies recognising Indigenous languages, it is time to take the next step.”

“This seminar is a platform to engage in how to do that through journalism and storytelling,” he said, adding that commercialising Indigenous languages would not only help preserve national heritage but also sustain news organisations, create jobs, and combat misinformation and disinformation.

Kgomoeswana, extending a warm welcome on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, emphasised the University of Limpopo’s role as a public institution that must actively engage with society. He also expressed deep gratitude to PanSALB for its work in preserving the country’s Indigenous languages11. According to Kgomoeswana, a fundamental impediment to justice, access to rights, progress, and transformation in South African society is a lack of respect for Indigenous languages across all sectors—socially, politically, culturally, and economically12.

Kgomoeswana praised SANEF as one of the country’s most important associations and described journalists as a “critical element” and the “fourth estate.” He asserted that, unlike politicians, journalists are often viewed as trustworthy and vital for uncovering truths, ensuring accountability, and bringing attention to injustices. He cited the courage of reporters who, during the Marikana incident, ran toward gunshots while others fled, demonstrating the dangers they face. He expressed hope that organizations like SANEF will help restore the integrity of the journalism profession and also highlighted the resilience of the country’s journalism, pointing to veteran reporters who continued their work even when television broadcasting stopped overnight.

PanSALB’s Commitment to Linguistic Diversity

PanSALB CEO Lance Schultz. Pic Dzudzie Netshisaulu

In his opening remarks, PanSALB CEO Lance Schultz articulated his organisation’s clear mandate: to preserve, promote, and protect South Africa’s rich linguistic diversity, which includes its 12 official languages, the Khoe and San languages, and South African Sign Language.

He stated that language is not just a communication tool but the very “heartbeat of our identity, culture, and heritage,” carrying the nation’s stories, histories, and aspirations.

Schultz described the seminar as a “call to action” acknowledging the persistent challenge of English and Afrikaans dominance in the media, which risks marginalising communities and eroding the cultural wealth embedded in Indigenous languages like isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho, Xitsonga, and Tshivenda.

Schultz emphasised that promoting Indigenous languages was not just about preserving heritage, but about ensuring equitable access to information and empowering communities to participate fully in a democracy. He stressed a lack of respect for Indigenous languages that undermines their parity of esteem, and called for intentional collaboration among media houses, journalists, educators, parents, and policymakers to elevate these languages. He said PanSALB was committed to addressing these challenges through advocacy, policy development, and collaborations with partners such as SANEF and the University of Limpopo.

Furthermore, he highlighted initiatives like the Indigenous language journalism short course being developed by North-West University and SANEF, and the translation of the Press Council of South Africa’s Press Code into Indigenous languages as vital steps toward a more inclusive media ecosystem.

Schultz concluded by urging attendees to “redefine storytelling in a digital age” and to commit to “centring the voices of the village, our communities, through journalism that respects and celebrates our linguistic diversity”. He expressed confidence that, working together, a media landscape that truly reflects the “soul of our nation” can be built.

The Path Forward

The seminar provided a crucial platform for dialogue and action, exploring innovations in multilingual journalism, the role of community media, and the impact of artificial intelligence on language preservation.

The discussions highlighted that the global decline of print media and the rise of digital platforms presented both a challenge and an opportunity. Technology, through mobile apps, social media, and online content, was to be harnessed to make Indigenous languages accessible and relevant to younger generations.

As the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) continues, the seminar’s recommendations and their implementation, will be key to creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant media landscape in South Africa. The event served as a stark reminder that the future of South African media may well depend on embracing the richness of its own linguistic diversity.

ENDS

 

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World Press Freedom Day examines the impact of AI in Journalism

2 May 2025

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) joins its global peers in examining artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact on journalism, media sustainability, and press freedom as the industry commemorates World Press Freedom Day on 3 May.

UNESCO’s 2025 theme is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” SANEF concurs with UNESCO that we need to focus on the “profound influence of AI on journalism and media,” given that it serves both as an advantage and a disadvantage to the sector.

“AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these tech advancements also have risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Additionally, AI’s role in the media business model raises concerns about fair remuneration for journalistic content and media viability,” said UNESCO.

SANEF continually addresses the threats and opportunities posed by technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, particularly in the context of the dwindling resources in newsrooms. This year, we will amplify our voice on the global platform by participating in the UNESCO World Press Freedom event in Brussels, represented by Secretary-General Prof Glenda Daniels who will address the gendered, cultural, racial, language and class bias that’s inherent in the present Ai tools which generate content, as well as speak to the Social Media for Peace Campaign that will become a global effort.

SANEF also wishes to emphasise the importance of journalist safety in light of disinformation and cyberbullying, which not only undermine public trust but also threaten the well-being of news staff; thus, SANEF conducts safety and wellness workshops to ensure the protection of journalists.

This year marks 32 years since the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day. In South Africa, the significance of this day is more pronounced as it comes five days after the national Freedom Day that is celebrated on 27 April, marking the day the country ushered in a democratic dispensation.

“One of the best things about South Africa is that media freedom is not just something that is the lifeblood of our democracy, but also it is one of the constitutional rights and pillars that underpin our democratic order. In this regard, because of our history, press freedom is a right that we all fought for and which we all hold dear as one of the foundations and the bedrock of our democracy. This is one thing that as a country we can be proud of, despite all our challenges.

“Over the past 31 years since the dawn of democracy, there is a consensus across the whole political spectrum that for democracy to thrive, journalists have a big role to play in disseminating information so that we can have an informed citizenry. Although there could have been some incidents over the past 31 years that might have caused jitters and tested our commitment to press freedom. However, by and large, we can say that we are better off than many countries, and as we have seen recently, even the so-called old democracies. However, this means that we should always be vigilant and defend this much-cherished freedom of the media because it’s the oxygen that makes our democracy to thrive,” says chairperson of the SANEF Media Freedom Sub-Committee, Slindile Khanyile.

SANEF is alarmed by the huge losses of journalists’ lives in the escalating conflicts present in our world over the past three years, from the devastating war in Gaza to the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and other perilous regions. Journalists are increasingly finding themselves fatally targeted in environments where freedom of the press is severely compromised. The chilling reality that journalists are paying the ultimate price for their commitment to reporting in these conflict zones should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. It underscores the urgent need for heightened protections for media professionals and a collective commitment to safeguarding the fundamental principles of free expression and a free press, which are essential for democracy and accountability in an increasingly volatile world.

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

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

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SANEF elects new chairperson, and the Minister of Basic Education calls for a resilient press, and respect for media freedom

SANEF chairperson Makhudu Sefara

 09 February 2025

At its first Council meeting for 2025, in Cape Town, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) elected Makhudu Sefara as its new chairperson.

Sefara is the editor of the Sunday Times and previously chaired SANEF’s Media Freedom sub-committee.

He replaces Nwabisa Makunga who relinquished the position following her promotion to an executive role at Arena.

Sefara thanked his predecessor for her leadership and challenged the organisation to follow in her footsteps in defending media freedom and strengthening the industry that is facing strong economic headwinds.

“I take this opportunity seriously and note that it comes at a time when the industry is facing a myriad of challenges. Many newsrooms are asking the question of how they are going to turn the corner without losing faith and hoping for better solutions as they go through retrenchments and having critical positions frozen, which has an impact on the quality of the work and therefore an impact on the quality of the contribution journalism makes to our much-cherished democracy,” Sefara said.

He thanked all newsroom leaders for continuing to do a sterling job of telling the South African story and “doing this not for themselves but for the country even with limited capacity”.

Slindile Khanyile, publishing editor of Umbele, an isiZulu financial publication, is the new chairperson of the SANEF Media Freedom sub-committee.

SANEF also congratulated Phathiswa Magopeni on her appointment as the new Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa. Thivhudzi Lukoto, executive producer at SAFM: News and Current Affairs, is SANEF’s new representative at the PCSA.

The Minister’s address

Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube, addressed the council where she emphasised the importance of strong media in the functioning of our democracy.

Even with challenges facing newsrooms due to the economic challenges in the sector, Gwarube said South Africa should never underestimate the privilege it has of a free media that is “able to hold those entrusted with the power to account, inform and critique the government without journalists landing in jail”.

“Free press is fundamental when it comes to a constitutional democracy, it can’t thrive without a free press that is capable of exposing wrongdoing,” she said.

The minister shared her department’s plans and priorities over the next five years.

She spoke about the importance of fixing the country’s broken education system with a focus on developing the foundation phase. The country has to inject quality education from early child childhood development, instead of over-emphasising Matric results and using it as a barometer of the country’s education system.

“We cannot have an education system that is stitched together by interventions where learners in Grades 10, 11, and 12 are sent to boot camps and kept in schools around the clock just to make them obtain good Matric pass rates,” said Gwarube.

Challenges and opportunities of freelance journalism

SANEF discussed the research report on the plight of freelance journalists, which painted a bleak future for freelance writers and described their working conditions as untenable. It noted the profound transformations in media labour and the limited research on the state and working conditions of freelance journalists.

SANEF partnered with the Henry Nxumalo Foundation to commission a study aimed at understanding the current state of freelance journalism in South Africa.

The research report highlights both the challenges and opportunities of freelance journalism in the country – noting that freelance journalism has become increasingly prominent, especially in South Africa, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its normalisation of remote work.

SANEF will amend its constitution to allow senior freelancers to become members and repurpose its Community Media sub-committee to also include issues affecting freelancers.

SANEF has decided to draft a charter of minimum norms and standards for engaging freelancers. This charter will be shared with newsrooms around the country as guidelines for editors to help improve the working conditions of freelancers in the industry. SANEF has tasked veteran journalist, Anton Harber, to lead the process of drafting the guidelines for the media sector.

Cutting off financial assistance

SANEF noted the move by U.S. President Donald Trump to cut funding to USAID. SANEF is concerned by this move, and how it will harm the functioning of some organisations that do media advocacy work and investigative journalism.

Media’s role in an SA G20 year

SANEF has decided to proceed with a programme of events, consultations, and inputs aimed at bringing attention to issues affecting the media in Africa and the world – to coincide with South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 and the country’s hosting of the G20 Summit in November 2025.

This work will focus on the media, highlighting the role of AI in journalism, information integrity, and taking forward issues raised during Brazil’s Presidency of the G20 in 2024. Several local and international media development organisations have already expressed an interest in participating, including media representatives from G20 countries.

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

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

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SANEF Proudly Announces the 2024 Nat Nakasa Awards for Courageous Journalism

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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.

For more information, please contact:

  • Nwabisa Makunga – Chairperson (082) 555-1972
  • Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
  • Dr. Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
  • Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415
  • Makhudu Sefara – Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
  • Sisanda Nkoala – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
  • Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
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