What We Do
We build
investigative
journalism in the
SADC region of
Southern Africa in
the service of a free,
capable media and
open, accountable
democracy.
What We Do
We build investigative journalism in the SADC region of Southern Africa in the service of a free, capable media and open, accountable democracy.
We raise and de-risk philanthropic
funding for member investigative
journalism centres; we build
organisational capacity at member
centres; and we build investigative
capacity among journalists at
member centres and beyond.
We currently have member
centres in Zambia, Malawi,
Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho,
eSwatini and South Africa.
They are the leading independent,
non-profit investigative
newsrooms in each of their
countries. Some may be small, but
collectively they punch well above
their weight.
We raise and de-risk philanthropic funding for member investigative journalism centres; we build organisational capacity at member centres; and we build investigative capacity among journalists at member centres and beyond.
We currently have member centres in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, eSwatini and South Africa.
They are the leading independent, non-profit investigative newsrooms in each of their countries. Some may be small, but collectively they punch well above their weight.
Why We Do It
Though investigative
journalists in the
SADC region may
face substantial
challenges
individually,
collectively they hold
huge potential to
change their
societies for the
better. Investigative journalists and journalism centres are a prospect worth networking and nurturing, to increase their impact, to multiply their force.
Why We Do It
Though investigative journalists in the SADC region may face substantial challenges individually, collectively they hold huge potential to change their societies for the better. Investigative journalists and journalism centres are a prospect worth networking and nurturing, to increase their impact, to multiply their force.
Investigative journalists and
journalism centres are a prospect
worth networking and nurturing,
to increase their impact, to
multiply their force.
Investigative journalism is key to
democratic accountability. It
exposes wrongdoing, enabling
people to hold power to account.
The media has been debilitated by
the digital transition. As much as
the transition has brought new
and exciting means to serve the
public, the new economy it
birthed has been monopolised by
the platform giants, leaving those
who produce content scrambling
for the crumbs.
Because discovering the truth
takes more time and money than
reporting the obvious,
investigative journalism often
stands at the back of the queue
when resources are allocated, and
first in line when retrenchments
loom.
Investigative journalists and journalism centres are a prospect worth networking and nurturing, to increase their impact, to multiply their force. Investigative journalism is key to democratic accountability. It exposes wrongdoing, enabling people to hold power to account.The media has been debilitated by the digital transition. As much as the transition has brought new and exciting means to serve the public, the new economy it birthed has been monopolised by the platform giants, leaving those who produce content scrambling
for the crumbs. Because discovering the truth takes more time and money than reporting the obvious, investigative journalism often stands at the back of the queue when resources are allocated, and first in line when retrenchments
loom.
As a result, investigative
journalism is under-resourced and
underdeveloped, fighting an uphill
battle to match the sophistication
of the powerful whom it would
hold to account. At the exact time
when more capacity is needed to
discover and disseminate the
truth, investigative media is extra
hamstrung by the media’s
malaise.
In the developing world, the SADC
region included, there are
aggravating factors. There may be
even fewer resources to go
around, and physical repression.
The concentration of political and
economic power may make it
exceedingly hard to survive
without elite patronage and
protection. Independence is the
only solution, but it comes at a
price.
As a result, investigative journalism is under-resourced and underdeveloped, fighting an uphill battle to match the sophistication of the powerful whom it would hold to account. At the exact time when more capacity is needed to discover and disseminate the truth, investigative media is extra hamstrung by the media’s malaise. In the developing world, the SADC region included, there are aggravating factors. There may be even fewer resources to go around, and physical repression. The concentration of political and economic power may make it exceedingly hard to survive without elite patronage and protection. Independence is the only solution, but it comes at a price.
How We Do It
The IJ Hub was founded in 2019 to meet the challenge head-on of supporting and building independent investigative journalism in the SADC region.
Our solution is holistic and encompasses the following:
Raising and de-risking
philanthropic funding for
investigative journalism
We present a de-risked
opportunity for philanthropic
funders to support independent
investigative journalism in the
SADC region. Those who prefer
not to support centres directly
donate to our funding pool, which
we disburse to member centres
based on their relative needs and
accountability profiles.
In this way, funders contribute to
an established network
impactfully covering much of the
region; a collective growing in
capacity and reach.
Raising and de-risking philanthropic funding for investigative journalism
We present a de-risked opportunity for philanthropic funders to support independent investigative journalism in the SADC region. Those who prefer not to support centres directly donate to our funding pool, which we disburse to member centres based on their relative needs and accountability profiles.
In this way, funders contribute to an established network impactfully covering much of the region; a collective growing in capacity and reach.
Building the organisational and administrative capacity of
organisations practicing
investigative journalism
Making resources available to
member centres is not enough. A
centre’s editorial performance is
optimal when its organisational
base is solid. And increased
resource flows demand
heightened accountability.
We advise and assist member
centres with matters as diverse as
corporate registration, compliance
with non-profit requirements,
accounting, auditing, funding
applications, digital security and
websites.
Building the organisational and administrative capacity of
organisations practicing investigative journalism
Making resources available to member centres is not enough. A centre’s editorial performance is optimal when its organisational base is solid. And increased resource flows demand heightened accountability.
We advise and assist member centres with matters as diverse as corporate registration, compliancewith non-profit requirements, accounting, auditing, funding applications, digital security and websites.
Building the editorial capacity of organisations and journalists
practising investigative
journalism
We network and advise member
centres on editorial matters.
Where they feel they need it, we
help them get their stories ready
for publication.
We sponsor qualifying journalists
for three-month fellowships at
investigative newsrooms.
And we arrange workshops;
anything from investigations 101
to following the money, the latest
tools and techniques, and digital
security.
Building the editorial capacity of organisations and journalists
practising investigative journalism
We network and advise member centres on editorial matters. Where they feel they need it, we help them get their stories ready for publication.
We sponsor qualifying journalists for three-month fellowships atinvestigative newsrooms.
And we arrange workshops; anything from investigations 101 to following the money, the latest tools and techniques, and digital security.
Our People
The buck stops with three to five non-executive directors elected by member centres, and up to two ex-officio executive directors.
Prof Dumisani Moyo
Non-executive chair
Prof Dumisani Moyo
Non-executive chair
Lionel Faull
Non-executive director
Lionel Faull
Non-executive director
Troye Lund
Executive director
Troye Lund
Executive chair
Mantoe Phakathi
Non-executive director
Mantoe Phakathi
Non-executive director
Steven Budlender
Non-executive director
Steven Budlender
Non-executive director
Prof Dumisani Moyo
Non-executive chair
From December 2019
Prof Dumisani Moyo
Non-executive chair
From December 2019
Dumi is the executive dean in the
faculty of humanities at North
West University. He moved to his
current role after a stint as
associate professor and vice dean
(academic) in the faculty of
humanities at the University of
Johannesburg.
Earlier, he worked as regional
programme manager for media
and access to information at the
Open Society Initiative for
Southern Africa, where he led the
foundation’s efforts to promote
media freedom, media diversity,
access to information and ICTs for
development.
His previous professional
experience includes senior lecturer
and head of department (Wits
University); visiting lecturer
(University of Addis Ababa);
research fellow (University of
Dumi is the executive dean in the
faculty of humanities at North
West University. He moved to his
current role after a stint as
associate professor and vice dean
(academic) in the faculty of
humanities at the University of
Johannesburg.
Earlier, he worked as regional
programme manager for media
and access to information at the
Open Society Initiative for
Southern Africa, where he led the
foundation’s efforts to promote
media freedom, media diversity,
access to information and ICTs for
development.
His previous professional
experience includes senior lecturer
and head of department (Wits
University); visiting lecturer
(University of Addis Ababa);
research fellow (University of
Oslo); Fulbright Scholar (College
of Lake County and William
Rainey Harper College, Illinois);
and lecturer (University of
Zimbabwe).
Dumisani has served as an
independent consultant for
several NGOs, donor
organisations and multilateral
organisations on a wide range of
assignments, including project
evaluations, strategic
planning/review and research
projects focusing mainly on media
and democracy and media and
development in Southern Africa.
His research interests include
media policy and regulation in
Africa; and (new and alternative)
media and political engagement
in Africa; journalism in the digital
era; and media an elections.
Oslo); Fulbright Scholar (College
of Lake County and William
Rainey Harper College, Illinois);
and lecturer (University of
Zimbabwe).
Dumisani has served as an
independent consultant for
several NGOs, donor
organisations and multilateral
organisations on a wide range of
assignments, including project
evaluations, strategic
planning/review and research
projects focusing mainly on media
and democracy and media and
development in Southern Africa.
His research interests include
media policy and regulation in
Africa; and (new and alternative)
media and political engagement
in Africa; journalism in the digital
era; and media an elections.
Lionel Faull
Non-executive director
From 6 December 2023
Lionel Faull
Non-executive director
From 6 December 2023
Lionel is a diligent and determined researcher, communicator and trainer with more than a decade’s experience investigating the energy, resources and public sectors. He brings a detail-oriented approach to problem-solving, an ability to synthesise large volumes of complex material and the skill to communicate with clarity and precision. Lionel enjoys applying his forensic ‘follow the money’ skills to investigations, working closely with like-minded people in a collaborative environment and delivering impactful impactful storytelling that serves the public interest.
Lionell is a diligent and determined researcher, communicator and trainer with more than a decade’s experience investigating the energy, resources and public sectors. He brings a detail-oriented approach to problem-solving, an ability to synthesise large volumes of complex material and the skill to communicate with clarity and precision. Lionell enjoys applying his forensic ‘follow the money’ skills to investigations, working closely with like-minded people in a collaborative environment and delivering impactful impactful storytelling that serves the public interest.
Troye Lund
Executive director and managing partner: editorial
From March 2022
Troye Lund
Executive director and managing partner: editorial
From March 2022
Troye started reporting on South
Africa’s political economy during
the country’s first democratic
elections in 1994. Her career
started on The Star newspaper’s
political desk, where she had a
ringside seat from which to
observe and report on the
establishment of a new
democratic state – processes like
the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission hearings and the
drafting of South Africa’s
constitution.
She joined Independent
Newspapers’ parliamentary team
in Cape Town three years later
tracking and interrogating policy,
budgets, legislation and the party
politics that underpinned these.
Troye started reporting on South
Africa’s political economy during
the country’s first democratic
elections in 1994. Her career
started on The Star newspaper’s
political desk, where she had a
ringside seat from which to
observe and report on the
establishment of a new
democratic state – processes like
the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission hearings and the
drafting of South Africa’s
constitution.
She joined Independent
Newspapers’ parliamentary team
in Cape Town three years later
tracking and interrogating policy,
budgets, legislation and the party
politics that underpinned these.
After a stint as a parliamentary
correspondent for a radio station,
Troye returned to print media as
deputy editor of a magazine title,
Fairlady, in 2002, gaining
management and editing skills.
She was responsible for planning
content, commissioning work,
editing copy and managing the
production process.
Troye returned to parliament for
Finweek in 2005 and then joined
Times Media six years later where
she wrote for the Financial
Mail/Business Day.
Troye was appointed the IJ Hub’s
managing partner: editorial in
2022.
After a stint as a parliamentary
correspondent for a radio station,
Troye returned to print media as
deputy editor of a magazine title,
Fairlady, in 2002, gaining
management and editing skills.
She was responsible for planning
content, commissioning work,
editing copy and managing the
production process.
Troye returned to parliament for
Finweek in 2005 and then joined
Times Media six years later where
she wrote for the Financial
Mail/Business Day.
Troye was appointed the IJ Hub’s
managing partner: editorial in
2022.
Mantoe Phakathi
Non-executive director
From December 2019
Mantoe Phakathi
Non-executive director
From December 2019
Mantoe is an experienced
communications specialist,
freelance journalist and media
trainer. She has journalism
experience spanning over 15 years
with a special focus on
development stories. She has
written for The Nation Magazine,
IPS News, the Mail & Guardian,
Independent Newspapers and
Climate Home.
As a communications specialist,
she has consulted to organisations
including the UN Food and
Agriculture Organisation, the
National Agriculture Marketing
Board, Marchmont
Communications, Inhlonhla, the
Food, Agriculture and Natural
Mantoe is an experienced
communications specialist,
freelance journalist and media
trainer. She has journalism
experience spanning over 15 years
with a special focus on
development stories. She has
written for The Nation Magazine,
IPS News, the Mail & Guardian,
Independent Newspapers and
Climate Home.
As a communications specialist,
she has consulted to organisations
including the UN Food and
Agriculture Organisation, the
National Agriculture Marketing
Board, Marchmont
Communications, Inhlonhla, the
Food, Agriculture and Natural
Resources Policy Analysis
Network, the Swaziland Network
Campaign for Education for All,
and the government of eSwatini’s
National Climate Change Unit.
Mantoe is also a part-time
journalism and mass
communication lecturer at the
University of eSwatini.
She holds an MSc in climate
change, development and policy
from the University of Sussex, a
post-graduate diploma in media
management from Rhodes
University and a bachelor’s degree
in communication science from
the University of South Africa.
Resources Policy Analysis
Network, the Swaziland Network
Campaign for Education for All,
and the government of eSwatini’s
National Climate Change Unit.
Mantoe is also a part-time
journalism and mass
communication lecturer at the
University of eSwatini.
She holds an MSc in climate
change, development and policy
from the University of Sussex, a
post-graduate diploma in media
management from Rhodes
University and a bachelor’s degree
in communication science from
the University of South Africa.
Steven Budlender
Non-executive director
From January 2022
Steven Budlender
Non-executive director
From January 2022
Steven is senior counsel specialising in constitutional and administrative law, in which capacity he has batted with great aplomb for media organisations in pursuit of better information rights and other public interest causes. But there is more to him. His Twitter profile says: “Keen on law, obsessed with (good) cricket.” He is the lead independent director of Cricket South Africa, which he has helped to steer from crisis towards strength.
Steven’s love affair with cricket started around the time he went to school. And it wasn’t only as a player. At the age of 11 he qualified as South Africa’s youngest umpire – a pursuit which may well have planted the seed for his later attraction to the law. Early in his law career now spanning some two decades, Steven served as clerk to Arthur Chaskalson, the then chief justice. He helped found the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa, which works to transform the profession in South Africa.
Sebenzile Nkambule
Executive director and managing partner: organisational
From August 2022
Sebenzile Nkambule
Executive director and managing partner: organisational
From August 2022
Sebenzile is an experienced journalist and strategic communications practitioner. She has experience in radio and television broadcasting, having previously hosted and produced shows on some of South Africa’s leading news and current affairs platforms. Sebenzile also has experience in the social justice and human rights sector in southern Africa, and previously held a senior managerial role at a regional human rights and social justice non-profit organisation.
Sebenzile was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Humphrey Fellowship, through which she specialised in digital storytelling and strategic communications at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, in the USA. Sebenzile holds a BA Journalism degree majoring in International Relations, and Honours and Master’s degrees in Gender Studies from the University of Pretoria. Sebenzile is Mandela Rhodes Scholar, a member of the Graca Machel Women in Media Network, and a member of the inaugural cohort of the Obama Africa Leadership Programme.
We build investigative
journalism.
©2022 IJ Hub, All Rights Reserved | Designed by Polygram Creative Agency and
developed by Phambano Technology Development Centre
©2022 IJ Hub, All Rights Reserved | Designed by Polygram Creative Agency and developed by Phambano Technology Development Centre