Founder Members
Sanef’s existence is a tribute to the willingness of media leaders to unite across political and ideological barriers. The organisation was fundamentally a merging of two previously polarised groups – The Black Editors’ Forum, motivated by strong Africanist and black consciousness beliefs, and the Conference of Editors, largely made up of white, male, middle-class English and Afrikaans newspaper editors.
The organisation’s history has been characterised by vigorous debate of controversial topics within the media industry.
Read Part of the Story, Sanef’s 10th anniversary publication, to learn more about Sanef from its inception through the early years of its existence in South Africa’s fledgling democracy, and about its vision for the future.
Sanef’s founder members include the following important editors and senior journalists.
Amina Frense
Chairperson at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism
Arnold de Beer
Professor Extraordinary in the Journalism Department at Stellenbosch University
@newscomber
Arthur Maimane
Brian Pottinger
David Wightman
Jim Jones
Jimmy Seepe
John Battersby
Freelance Journalist
Judy Sandison
Latiefa Mobara
Executive Director of the Press Council
Mark van der Velden
Mike Mills
Mike Tissong
Director at Uranus Financial Services
Molefi Mika
Mtholephi Mthimkhulu
Muriel Hau Yoon
Mzukisi Twala
Nigel Bruce
Global Chairperson and UK Committee Member at the Democratic Alliance
Peter Sullivan
Phil Molefe
Director of Business Development & Strategy at Fabrik
