As South Africa heads to a festive season like no other – after a tumultuous year and concerns of a resurgence in Covid 19 cases ahead – SAMIP participants got on with the job of informing and engaging audiences across the country.

Hashtag Our Stories is on TV

Hashtag Our Stories has partnered with NBCLX on a TV project that will see them broadcasting 34 episodes about people changing the world.

Also, Hashtag’s 12-episode Snap Original First Person just launched. Filmed with Snap Specs, the show revolves around young innovators fighting to save our planet in six countries. Find it on Snapchat, by searching “First Person.”

 

SMWX unpacks BLM, at home and abroad

Over the weekend #SMWX host Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh sat down with activist, author and political organizer DeRay Mckesson to discuss racial justice activism and the intersections between the global north and south.

Explain.co.za simplifies news

Last week South Africa marked World Aids Day and Explain.co.za published an explainer on all the developments related to the treatment of HIV. In addition, Explain.co.za ran political coverage of a planned motion of no confidence debate against President Cyril Ramaphosa that was due to take place on Thursday afternoon, before being postponed by the African Transformation Movement (ATM). Explain broke down what ATM wants with Ramaphosa.

A successful campaign for QW+

Quote This Woman+ (QW+) celebrated a successful fundraising month, exceeding their target of R55,000 in 30 days (the campaign netted over R62,000, with more to come). The campaign also helped boost the profile of the organisation’s work to amplify marginalised voices in the news media. Highlights from QW+ include:

  • Cape Talk was one of the broadcasters who interviewed Quote This Woman+ founder Kathy Magrobi on her work. Listen here.
  • Kathy also published an article in Daily Maverick on the challenges of bringing women+ voices to the fore.
  • QW+ was also featured in Wits Journalism’s new State of the Newsroom

 

Daily Maverick podcast tops the charts

Daily Maverick’s podcast ‘Don’t Shoot the Messenger’ was listed as one of the “New biggest shows in South Africa” by Apple Podcasts, a major win for the outlet. A full list of winners is available here.

In addition, Daily Maverick’s print newspaper ‘Daily Maverick 168’ last edition for 2020 will be released on 19 December. This will be a bumper issue, with increased circulation: 30,000 copies will be released on 19 December and another 10,000 copies will be distributed on 29 December. Get your copy of the paper at the nearest Pick n Pay outlet.

gsport partners with M&G

gsport for girls had a groundbreaking moment as they partnered with Mail & Guardian to increase the coverage of women’s sport on the continent – a partnership between two great SAMIP participants. In addition, gsport for girls will be hosting the gsport Annual List of Newsmakers event in December, the details to be shared in due course.

 

Volume produces another podcast

Volume has released a new podcast called ‘The Witness’ in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF). The podcast is hosted by activist Fatima Hassan and discusses stories of the men and women who risk everything to stand up against corruption. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts.

 

CRF launches a podcast training

Children’s Radio Foundation (CRF) announced a New Voices in Podcasting training – a six-month podcast training program that will take place across four American Corner sites, in partnership with the US Consulate. To kick the initiative off, CRF is co-hosting a US virtual speaker event on “Podcasting 101 A view from the U.S.” You can register for the event here.

Scrolla increases its news coverage

Scrolla has continued to deepen its coverage in the Eastern Cape and sports. Their sports cover tracks the decline of Kaiser Chiefs but extends to smaller teams too. Access other stories here.