Nwabisa Makunga Emphasizes Skills Development and Wellness in Newsrooms as New Sanef Chairperson

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has ushered in a new era of leadership with Sowetan editor-in-chief Nwabisa Makunga at its helm, highlighting pivotal industry challenges at a time when the dissemination of complex stories in South Africa is more demanding than ever. In her inaugural remarks post-election during the organization's Annual General Meeting (AGM), which coincided with the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, Makunga unveiled her vision for an industry facing unprecedented pressures exacerbated by digital evolution.

In the presence of her peers, Makunga articulated the burdens shouldered by newsrooms, tasked not only with distilling the intricacies of South African narratives but also contending with dwindling resources amid the relentless tide of digital innovation. The situation spells a mounting task for journalists and editors to remain authoritative and accurate without the luxury of abundance.

Under Makunga's guidance, Sanef is charting a strategic path focused on fortifying the journalism profession from within. This includes championing journalists' and editors' skills advancement to keep pace with a rapidly transforming digital landscape, alongside ensuring their mental and emotional well-being — elements Makunga perceives as integral to maintaining a robust and resilient newsroom environment.

Moreover, Makunga has brought to light the sustainability of journalism as a core pillar of Sanef's agenda. The Sanef Journalism Sustainability Fund represents the concrete embodiment of this objective, a mechanism aimed at nurturing quality, independent journalism committed to serving the public interest. This fund not only underscores the need for financial backing but also embodies the ethos of a collective responsibility to uphold democracy and transparency.

Emphasizing collaboration, the chairperson also underscored the importance of active partnerships with the academic sphere to supply journalists and editors with the necessary toolkit for tackling the sophisticated layers of national events and topics. The upskilling of industry professionals is a goal shared by many stakeholders who recognize the significance of well-informed reporting in an era of misinformation.

In a world where burnout and stress are becoming increasingly prevalent within the fast-paced, competitive arena of news reporting, Makunga's focus on wellness support represents a fresh acknowledgment of the human element behind the news. Acknowledging the strains on mental health within the profession, she advocates for a healthier work environment, nurturing not just the intellectual, but also the emotional stamina of those who bring daily news to the public.

Makunga's election and forward-looking stance herald a conscientious approach toward steering the journalistic community through the present and upcoming terrain. With this leadership transition, the emphasis is keenly set on empowering those who inform the nation, ensuring that South African journalism not only survives but thrives in the digital epoch ahead.