Upcoming WCJ Webinar: What is the price of justice on South Africa? 

Over the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework period, justice cluster ministries are allocated nearly R150-billion each financial year. Over R100-billion is spent on policing, more than R25.5 billion on correctional services, and R23 billion on our courts and legal services. 

The Wits Justice Project has prepared an updated budget toolkit that looks at each justice ministry's medium-term budget and programmes, so that we can better understand where this money is being spent, and if it is being allocated to the right initiatives. 

To discuss the budgets, academic, accountant and activist Khaya Sithole will host an engaging discussion with members of parliament Glynnis Breytenbach (DA) and Xola Nqola (ANC), and the head of the Wits Justice Project, Dr Nechama Brodie.  

The justice budget toolkits and summaries will be shared by the Wits Justice Project with attendees who register for the webinar. 

Date: Tuesday, 5 September

Time: 3pm to 4.30pm

Click here to register.

Wits Centre for Journalism celebrates official launch

The Wits Journalism department was formally rebranded as the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ) during its official launch on Friday, 11 August at the Wits Club on West Campus, signalling a new chapter in its academic journey.

Since Wits launched a journalism programme over two decades ago, the institution has established itself as a leading provider of quality post-graduate teaching, thought leadership and professional engagement. Besides teaching and research, its activities range from hosting major international conferences to direct support of investigative journalism, community media, media innovators, among others.

Click here to read the full story.

WCJ to administer new SANEF financial journalism fellowship, sponsored by Deloitte SA

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has launched an exciting new financial journalism fellowship aimed at mid-career journalists. The fellowship is sponsored by Deloitte South Africa with funding for the next three years, and will be administered by the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ).

The SANEF Fellowship in Financial Journalism will offer specialised training over six months, and equip candidates to accurately report on complex financial matters. Students will engage with local financial and journalism experts giving them the opportunity to expand their networks and produce more in-depth stories and economic news.

Click here to read the full article.

Beauregard Tromp joins the WCJ as AIJC convener

Veteran investigative journalist and editor Beauregard Tromp is set to take the reins of the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), one of the continent’s flagship journalism gatherings. Tromp will replace Anton Harber, who has led the conference for 19 hugely successful years, and who is set to retire from Wits at the end of 2024.

“Anton and the team have been doing an incredible job with AIJC for nearly two decades now. It takes a team to do this, and what a team it is,” says Tromp, who has been “looking over Anton’s shoulder” in the planning and run-up to the 2023 conference.

Tromp talks about his career, stepping up, and excitement to serve a profession that has been "so good" to him. 

Click here to read the full profile. 

The WCJ proudly launches the AIJC African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award, supported by Absa

Open to all African investigative journalists and with a top prize of US$5,000, the award is an exciting new addition to the continent’s flagship journalism gathering which is set to take place in Johannesburg later this year.

The award is open to all journalists or teams of journalists working in any media for stories from and about Africa, published or broadcast in African media between 1 June 2022 and 31 May 2023.

Entries close at 2pm on 1 September 2023.

Click here for details, and to apply. 

Women Together for a Shared Future: Africa-China Reporting Project takes part in the South Africa-China Women's Forum

The WCJ's Africa-China Reporting Project recently participated in the South Africa-China Women's Forum, celebrating the role of women in both nations. The forum was held by the Chinese Consulate General in Johannesburg, as well as the African Chinese Women Association, and was attended by government and political party officials, scholars, businesswomen, media and other key stakeholders.

The keynote address was delivered by the Consul General of China in Johannesburg, Tang Zhongdong, who remarked on the significance of celebrating and commemorating Women's Day in South Africa.

Click here to read the full article.

Strengthening Journalism Education in Africa: UNESCO grants support to 10 journalism schools

Grants totalling US$15,500 have been awarded to ten African schools as part of the UNESCO International Programme for the Development of Communication, supported by the Google News Initiative. The initiative is jointly coordinated by the Wits Centre for Journalism and Rhodes Journalism and Media Studies and aims to enhance journalism education across the continent. The selected projects will be implemented in all five sub-regions of Africa: Northern, Central, Southern, Western and Eastern Africa.

This outcome follows a call for proposals in June that invited universities to suggest innovative ways to strengthen their journalism programmes, aligning with a pre-established criteria for excellence developed in collaboration with journalism educators.

Click here to read the full article. 

• Radio Workshop invites audio producers in Africa to pitch stories that explore the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth anywhere on the continent. This is a paid opportunity. Deadline: 15 September. Click here for details. 

• The 2023 Jamfest and Civic Tech Innovation Forum are right around the corner! This year’s #AfrIcaFlows theme will look at the influence of AI in the work of media and civic tech innovators across Africa. Date: 16 – 19 October. Click here for details.

• Tickets for the WCJ's 19th African Investigative Journalism Conference are now available! This year’s gathering promises to be bigger and better than ever before as we celebrate groundbreaking work from across Africa. Date: 20 – 22 November at Wits University. Get your tickets here.