Nairobi, Kenya — Sustainable journalism is committed to giving a voice to everyone, whether by showcasing the stories of marginalised communities, highlighting the work of environmental activists, or delving into the latest scientific breakthroughs. Content and representation are the building blocks of this approach, creating a more informed, engaged, and sustainable society. Sustainable journalism goes beyond merely reporting the news; it seeks to ensure that future generations are heard. It focuses on sharing positive stories about people making a difference and finding new solutions to challenges, while also amplifying the voices of under‑represented groups—people of diverse races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socio‑economic backgrounds.
A group of Southern African editors, experts, and academics recently convened to explore how sustainable journalism can bridge gaps and serve diverse audiences in the region. The four panellists discussed the representation of youth, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals, examining how journalists can better engage with and portray these groups. They also considered how to create sustainable media models that support such work. The panel aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration, moving journalism in Southern Africa toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
Magamba Network empowers Zimbabwean youth through creative activism for social justice. Gone are the days of boring news broadcasts; media companies now deliver news with humor, satire, comedy, and even rap battles. Magamba Network, a youth‑led creative organisation, uses music, satire, theatre, and digital media to address social‑justice issues and promote change. It also offers training and mentorship for young people pursuing careers in the arts and media. According to Munyaradzi Dodo, activist and Programme Lead for the Digital X programme, the network runs a media conference for young people, the Shoko Festival, a creative hub for media start‑ups, a platform for climate‑change documentaries, and a micro‑grant programme for new media ventures. Their focus on Gen Z is reinforced by humour that makes serious topics more palatable, and they employ rapid‑prototyping tools, lean‑startup methods, and design thinking to develop new content formats. “Our newsroom is our WhatsApp group,” Dodo says. Founded in 2007, Magamba Network has become known for events such as Zimbabwe’s largest urban culture festival, the Shoko Festival, and the satirical news programmes Zambezi News, Open Parly, and The FeedZW, all of which tackle political and social issues.
In Botswana, The Voice newspaper, edited by Emang Mutapati, was started by young people to represent a predominantly youthful community with a high proportion of women and children. The publication works to break down stigmas, including de‑stigmatizing HIV/AIDS and supporting the LGBTQI+ community. Mutapati explains that the media landscape was dominated by male voices, so The Voice was launched to amplify marginalised groups ignored by mainstream outlets. During the HIV/AIDS crisis, the paper collaborated with the government to combat stigma, seeking out individuals living with HIV to share their stories despite backlash. Their efforts helped establish shelters and provide resources for those affected, raising awareness even before antiretroviral drugs were widely available. First published in 1993, The Voice is now respected for its in‑depth reporting, investigative journalism, and coverage of important social and political issues in Botswana. Mutapati believes “journalism is a service industry, with a focus on impact rather than independence.”
Lindokuhle Nzuza of Wits Jamlab highlighted the need for diverse African voices in sustainable journalism. Jamlab is committed to diversifying public discourse through three programmes: knowledge‑sharing, an accelerator, and a community of practice. These initiatives support innovations in journalism, empower media makers to tell complete, ethical, and fair stories, and ensure audiences have access to quality journalism. To date, the accelerator has supported 29 start‑ups, 16 of which are women‑led, and Jamlab has backed organisations such as Green Space, which educates on urban gardening in Zambia, and Quote This Woman +, a South African group amplifying women’s narratives.
Bongiwe Tutu discussed the Africa‑China Reporting Project (ACRP), launched in 2009 to improve reporting on African and Africa‑China relations from local perspectives. The project provides capacity‑building opportunities, reporting grants, skills training, workshops, and networking for journalists. It has awarded over 300 reports and grants, trained more than 200 media professionals across South Africa, mainland China, Nigeria, Hong Kong, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia, and operates in English, French, Mandarin, and Arabic. ACRP also addresses climate change, poverty, inequality, democracy, public health, digital identity data centres, and wildlife trafficking, collaborating with Chinese partners to help African journalists unpack climate impacts on their communities.
In conclusion, the discussions underscore the critical role of media and journalism in advancing social justice and amplifying marginalised voices. The work of organisations such as Magamba Network, The Voice, Wits Jamlab, and the Africa‑China Reporting Project demonstrates the power of creative activism, investigative journalism, and community‑driven media. These initiatives are essential for promoting diversity, inclusion, and sustainable journalism in Africa and for empowering young people to become agents of change in their communities. Continued support and advocacy are vital to building a media landscape that truly represents and serves all people.
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