Join us for the launch of Africa Media Perspectives with a sizzling South African braai and the fearless wit of Marianne Thamm. As a comedian and acclaimed investigative journalist with Daily Maverick, Thamm takes to the stage with her one-woman show – fusing political satire and performance journalism for a night of razor-sharp insight and unapologetic laughter.
Enjoy hot Cape Malay koesisters – syrup-soaked, spiced doughnut-like treats—paired with barista-crafted coffee, freshly brewed to your taste. Mingle with attendees from around the world while indulging in these traditional South African favourites during registration.
A brief introduction to AMP 2025, highlighting the conference’s key themes and goals.
Media leaders must embed sustainability into both operations and content while ensuring financial viability. Across Africa and globally, newsrooms must balance environmental responsibility, audience engagement, and commercial strategy. From reducing emissions to using storytelling for climate action, innovation and leadership are key. By embracing change management and cross-sector collaboration, journalism can drive real impact—making sustainability a core principle, not just a topic.
With political, economic, and technological shifts upending global discourse, independent media across Africa is at a crossroads. This discussion will dive into how these outlets can not only survive but thrive, driving innovation and sustainability to stay relevant in an unpredictable world.
Patricia Torres-Burd, Managing Director: Media Advisory Services, MDIF
This deep dive will explore global success stories of independent media organisations that have developed sustainable business models while maintaining journalistic integrity. Through international case studies, key strategies for building resilient media outlets in a challenging landscape will be highlighted.
With: Styli Charalambous (Publisher and CEO of Daily Maverick), David Adeleke (founder of Communiqué), Karen Thorne (Co-founder of Cape Town TV), Brenda Leonard (Managing Director of Bush Radio)
How do you lead an independent media organisation to survive and thrive in the face of financial pressures, newsroom layoffs, and extensive cuts to development funding? This panel will explore strategies for maintaining journalistic excellence, building resilience, and adapting to the harsh realities of the modern media landscape.
Speakers: Dhashen Moodley (Senior Producer at Radio Workshop) and Vuyo Lutseke (Executive Director at Radio Workshop)
Radio Workshop trains young people across Africa on how to produce radio and podcasts. During this sound-rich session, you’ll hear the moments that have resonated among global audiences, covering a wide range of issues including queer rights in Uganda, toxic mining in Zambia, the japa movement in Nigeria, and the just transition in South Africa. Radio Workshop’s executive director and senior producer will share best practices and some case studies on how they drive change through compelling narrative storytelling.
Lebogang Maphada (Senior Investment Officer at MDIF)
As traditional development funding continues to shrink, independent media must shift from survival mode to long-term sustainability. This interactive session offers a practical exploration of what it takes to become truly investment-ready—from business models and leadership to financial clarity and growth strategy. Designed to spark honest reflection and realignment, the workshop will help participants see their organisations through an investor’s eyes.
Innocent Eteng (Founder of Prime Progress, Nigeria)
Join Prime Progress, Nigeria for an interactive workshop on solutions journalism—an approach that goes beyond problem-focused reporting to highlight effective responses to societal challenges. Learn how to apply this method in your newsroom, engage audiences more deeply, and strengthen journalism’s role in driving meaningful change.
Moderator: Dr Kate Skinner (Executive director of Association of Independent Publishers)
With: Anetta Mangxaba (Chairperson of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) in South Africa and founder of Dizindaba Media, which publishes Dizindaba Iphephandaba lesiXhosa); Peter Luhanga (founder of Iliso LaBantu News and Mother City News); Khutso Tsikane (Programme Manager at the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA))
Grassroots media is essential for informing and mobilising communities, often serving as the only trusted voice in underrepresented areas. This session explores how hyperlocal journalism can remain impactful and sustainable despite growing financial and digital pressures. It also highlights new opportunities, including the Digital News Transformation Fund by Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), which supports the digital growth of small, independent newsrooms across South Africa.
Speaker: Sisanda Nkoala, Associate Professor at the UWC Linguistics Department.
In a world where truth is increasingly blurred, fact-checking is more crucial than ever. We explore the vital role independent media plays in combating misinformation and disinformation while preserving journalistic integrity.
Ariel Zirulnick, Journalist and Audience Strategist
How can independent media shift from delivering news to co-creating journalism with audiences? If media professionals have all the skills and tools needed to make this shift, why have so few of us done so? Ariel Zirulnick will share practical approaches for embedding community engagement into editorial and business strategies, drawing on her experience leading audience-driven innovation to strengthen journalism, build trust, and create sustainable revenue models.
With: Wale Lawal (founder of The Republic in Nigeria), Slindile Khanyile (co-founder of Likhanyile Media Group), and Vernon Wessels (co-founder of Currency News)
A showcase of three innovative independent media projects across the continent, highlighting their success strategies and key lessons for others.
With: Florence de Vries, Head of Marketing and Communication, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Mental illness remains deeply stigmatised in South Africa—and the media plays a crucial role in either reinforcing or challenging that stigma. Drawing on her award-winning PhD research, Florence de Vries explores how mental illness is framed in South African news reporting, using high-profile case studies to reflect on broader journalistic trends. The session will ask: Are journalists applying an ethics of care when reporting on mental illness? And how can media professionals shift towards more responsible, empathetic storytelling that uplifts rather than harms?
This talk will offer practical insights for reporters, editors, and communicators on reframing narratives around mental health and aligning journalism with principles of dignity, nuance, and care.
Kath Magrobi, Founder and Director of Quote This Woman+
We unpack the business case for amplifying women’s voices in African media — not just as a matter of equity, but as a strategic advantage. Featuring insights from Quote This Woman+ on why gender diversity makes business sense in today’s media landscape.
Facilitator: Adam Oxford, Founder of Area of Effect and newshost.africa, media consultant and trainer at OpenUp
Panel: Patricia Tembo (Food For Mzansi), Andiswa Matikinca (Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism Associate), Dr. Monika Moir (Senior Researcher at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) and the Climate Amplified Diseases and Epidemics (CLIMADE) project).
With climate change disproportionately affecting Africa, this session explores how data journalism is empowering independent media to highlight urgent issues, drive accountability, and present solutions to the crisis.
Discussion leader: Jennifer Mairo, COO Joy, Inc., producers of #WithChude
Fake news isn’t going away, but neither are we. In this collaborative session, we roll up our sleeves to explore real strategies for confronting misinformation head-on. Bring your ideas, questions, and fire. Together, we’ll map out what’s working, what’s failing, and what’s next.
Discussion leader: Sanja Gohre, host and founder of African Optimist
Forget doom and gloom. What if journalism could feel fresh, hopeful, and deeply human? In this creative jam session, we’ll explore bold new ways to tell our stories, build trust, and design a media future audiences actually want to be part of. Let’s rebrand journalism – on our own terms.
Discussion leader: Asha Mwilu, founder of Debunk Media
Let’s get real about the messy side of media – from busted business models to epic editorial fails. This raw, no-filter session is where media folks share the flops that didn’t make headlines and, more importantly, what we learned so we can innovate and do better next time. Expect honesty, laughs, and big takeaways.
With: Will Davis, Director of Election Analytics at The New York Times
Traditional newsrooms are evolving, and so are the skills needed to deliver impactful journalism. In this session, Will Davis shares insights on integrating non-traditional roles—such as statisticians, data analysts and developers—into daily news reporting. Drawing from his experience modernizing legacy news operations and bridging the gap between journalism and technology, he’ll explore how diverse expertise can enhance storytelling, audience engagement, and newsroom innovation.
Luciana Cardoso, Media Business Advisor at MDIF
Join a hands-on workshop exploring how product and design thinking can drive innovation in independent media. Learn practical strategies for audience-centric product development, improving user experience, and aligning editorial and business goals to build sustainable media products.
Moderator: Lwazi Maseko, Programme Officer JournalismAI
Featuring:
Is AI the future of African journalism, or a threat to journalistic integrity? This session explores how AI is reshaping media, its ethical challenges, and how African outlets can leapfrog outdated models by embracing innovation.
Africa Media Perspectives is presented by the Food For Mzansi Group.
Date: 2-3 July 2025
Location: Hofmeyrsaal, Stellenbosch, South Afirca
Email: info@africamediaperspectives.com