Reflecting On 10 Years of Accountability Journalism: AmaBhungane

In a decade characterized by impunity, the non-profit company, amaBhungane, has continually fought for accountability within South Africa and beyond. Born 10 years ago, this donor-funded entity decided on a new course to give life to serious accountability journalism that dwelled away from the adverse effects of an increasingly frail commercial environment on journalism jobs, skills, and resources.

Established with the assistance of their then publisher, the Mail & Guardian, amaBhungane eventually found independence in 2016 and grew exponentially, filling gaps in their budget through pioneering a local version of supporter funding, as evidenced by their donation portal.

This decade has been a story of resilience and determination towards the pursuit of truth and the fight for accountability in their delivered stories. Indeed, following its significant role in exposing the notorious #GuptaLeaks, amaBhungane's profile rose considerably.

Moreover, in 2019, they enjoyed international recognition as part of the winning team behind the Global Shining Light Award, bestowed by the Global Investigative Journalism Network, thanks to their extensive work on #GuptaLeaks. Susan Comrie, from amaBhungane, also shared the top honor for investigative journalism in South Africa, the prestigious Taco Kuiper Award, for her stunning series on Regiments Capital.

Looking ahead, the AmaBhungane team remains focused on unearthing stories of immense societal importance in a sometimes hostile media environment. It pledges to renew and maintain its unwavering commitment to accountability journalism, while also dealing with inevitable turnover, maintaining a high standard of management, and managing a business with an annual turnover of some R10-million.