Wits Centre for Journalism welcomes class of 2025

It's all systems go for the class of 2025, who began their academic journey with the Centre in February.

The WCJ hosted a welcome brunch for the new group on 1 March, where they had a chance to engage with lecturers and other students at honours, master's and PhD-level, as well as learn more about the work done by the Centre across the continent.

"This event got me thinking about the exciting and challenging journey ahead. I am excited to work with people from different backgrounds, engage with our lecturers and contribute to the work at the Centre. I am ready for a year of growth, learning, and teamwork," said career-entry honours student Likho Mbuka (pictured above right with CE honours student Nomfundo Zungu).

Wishing all students a productive and inspiring year ahead.

Invite: Adenauer Media Lecture at Wits University 

The first Konrad Adenauer Stiftung lecture of 2025 will be hosted by the Wits Centre for Journalism at Wits University, exploring the role of public service broadcasting in a democracy. Join us as we welcome world-renowned expert in the field Dr Peter Frey to address the challenges and opportunities of broadcasting in Africa.

📍 Senate Room, 1st Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House. 
🗓 18 March, 10h30 - 12h00.
📩 RSVP to [email protected]

Click here for more details.

From left, Beauregard Tromp (WCJ), Ishan Tankha (photographer), Prof Srila Roy (Wits Department of Sociology), and Prof Dilip Menon (Wits International Relations)

Dehli-based photographer speaks at WCJ 

The Wits Centre for Journalism and Wits Department of Sociology hosted internationally acclaimed Delhi-based photographer Ishan Tankha at a postgraduate seminar at the Centre.

Drawing on stories and experiences from his illustrious career as an independant photographer, featured in publications like The Guardian, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and many others, Tankha took students and guests through the intricacies of the profession, covering conflict and violence, and certain quandries photographers face in separating themselves from their subjects.

Convenor of the African Investigative Journalism Conference Beauregard Tromp led a Q&A session with Tankha and an engaged, curious audience, which included Prof Srila Roy (Wits Department of Sociology), and Prof Dilip Menon (Wits International Relations).

The WCJ's new mentor in photography Paul Botes said it was refreshing to get a new perspective from Tankha's presentation.

"Ishan makes time for longer form approaches to projects, which allows him to capture a lot more detail and nuance, which perhaps gives his coverage more honesty. I was also impressed that he has steered away from typical tropes in his coverage and interrogates his own bias and that of his audience; his work is unique," said Botes.

Upcoming financial journalism workshops at the Wits Centre for Journalism

Gain the essential skills needed to translate complex financial and economic topics into accessible, engaging content for your audiences through the Wits Centre for Journalism's upcoming financial journalism workshops. 

Participants will engage directly with financial experts and experienced financial journalists, building valuable professional networks while developing their ability to produce in-depth stories that explain the broader impact and significance of financial news.

💡 There are three offerings, which can be taken independently or together.

🎓 Apply by March 6 for the first course. Click here for course and application details.

📩 For queries, please reach out to [email protected]

WCJ's Africa-China Reporting Project hosts successful climate change reporting workshop in Kenya  

The Wits Centre for Journalism's Africa-China Reporting Project, Dialogue Earth, and The China Global South Project recently hosted a day-long workshop, 'Reporting Climate Change in Africa', with the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications in Kenya, bringing together media professionals to tackle the challenges and opportunities of climate reporting in Africa.

The workshop explored the importance of African voices in climate coverage, the media’s role in amplifying marginalised communities, and how climate change intersects with broader issues such as food security, water scarcity, and political instability.

Click here for the full report.

WCJ joins first knowledgeXchange to reshape how media approaches climate storytelling

The first knowledgeXchange of 2025 took place from 27 to 28 February in Nairobi led by Wits Centre for Journalism partner climateXchange, bringing together diverse and inspiring media professionals from across Africa to spark ideas for innovative new products and content to change the climate narrative.

The cohort was welcomed to the kXc with a screening and thought-provoking discussions about "what makes a climate story?" and "what does 'climate' mean in my culture?", before launching into workshops and brainstorming ideas to inspire change in the media landscape when it comes to climate storytelling.

"This work matters because it represents what sets us apart in an AI-driven world: our uniquely human capacity to connect through empathy, emotion, courage, and curiosity," said cXc community manager Mili Semlani.

"While machines can transfer data seamlessly, human connection remains an intangible, invisible magic that transforms how we tell stories—especially crucial ones about our changing climate."

Looking ahead, the kXc aims to reshape the climate media ecosystem through regular gatherings of media professionals across the continent. Keep an eye out for more.

It’s official – the African Investigative Journalism Conference returns to Wits University from 5-7 November in 2025 for its 21st edition, bringing another packed schedule of talks, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions with some of Africa’s finest and most renowned investigative journalists, trainers and experts.

Keep an eye on the AIJC website for calls for participation and fellowship opportunities in the coming months.

📸 Paul Botes joins the Centre as its new mentor in photography for career-entry honours students. He is the picture editor of The Continent and an award-winning South African photographer, picture editor, and educator. He has worked across much of Africa over the past 25 years focusing on themes of social justice and inequality. Most recently, Paul held the role of picture editor at the Mail & Guardian where he spent over 15 years.

✍ Theresa Mallinson joins us on a sessional basis as a sub-editor. Theresa is an experienced freelance journalist, editor, and writer, currently pursuing her MA in Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town. Her journalism has previously been published by the African Digital Democracy Observatory, the Mail & Guardian, The Continent, The Daily Vox, Daily Maverick, and Free African Media, among other outlets.

• Entries have opened for the 2025 Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards, in partnership with SANEF, recognising and encouraging excellent journalistic work in South Africa across multiple categories. Deadline: March 31. Click here for details.

• Queen Margaret University (Edinburgh) is accepting applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the impact of digitalisation on language and cultural inequalities in the Global South. Waiver of tuition fees, annual stipend, and research budget included. Click here for details.

• Global Investigative Journalism Network invites you to a webinar, “The Future of Funding Investigative Journalism: Strategies and Challenges.” The session will offer practical insights and actionable advice on building financial resilience. March 18, 4pm (SAST). Click here for details.