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FOREWORD
A significant contribution
Founder of the Women in The Media awards, SANDRA GORDON, looks back at the 10 years she ran the annual awards, and the women who were honoured during that time.
Sandra Gordon
In August 2003, I launched Women in the Media, with The Media magazine’s esteemed editorial board serving as judges of the event. The initiative was based on a simple, yet seldom-voiced fact: over several decades the influence, talent, drive and effect of women working across the media sector had not been acknowledged, let alone celebrated.
For the next 10 years – in the magazine and at classy invitationonly functions – we honoured more than 100 women who had made a significant contribution to the economic, political, social or cultural development of the South African media industry.
In August 2012 we agreed to end on a high note – by celebrating three Women of the Decade who epitomised the qualities, skills and fortitude it took to stand out in an industry not fond of acknowledging its own.
PASSIONATE JOURNALIST WHO ROSE TO THE TOP
Esmaré Weideman was CEO of Media24, the largest media company in Africa. Her boss at the time, Naspers CEO Koos Bekker, had this to say of her: “Esmaré faces two types of challenge in the years ahead: how to navigate this ship through turbulent political and regulatory waters; and, with print media in the dwang globally, she needs to shift to internet media. Esmaré will have to find a way to transform her ship from a sailing vessel to a steamship – while in mid-voyage on the high seas.”
During her tenure she tackled distribution problems, pushed for transformation and diversification, and began the long transition from print to digital. She retired in 2018 after more than three decades in media and eight at the helm of Media24.
FEARLESS EDITOR AND ACTIVIST
In 2004 Ferial Haffajee was appointed editor of the Mail and Guardian, becoming the first female editor of a mainstream newspaper. In 2009 she took on the task of repositioning City Press, increasing the newspapers readership to 1.75 million within three years.
At the time, Business Day editor Peter Bruce had a few things to say in his Thick Edge of the Wedge columns about her success: “Haffajee doesn’t so much edit her newspaper as engineer it,” and “City Press is now edited with considerable genius by a woman.” He wrote of her “fearlessly rebuilding the newspaper in her
own image … and has become probably one of the country’s first celebrity editors in the process … thoughtful, conciliatory and gentle she is, for an editor, wildly popular.” It was rare praise from another of South Africa’s most fearless editors. Haffajee is currently associate editor at Daily Maverick.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT WITH INSTINCT AND VISION
Terry Volkwyn joined 702’s sales department in 1986 and in 2004 was appointed CEO of Primedia Broadcasting. Under her leadership, the business achieved compound annual growth of 18%, increased gross turnover five times, and by 2014 had exceeded R1-billion in turnover. At the time, Primedia Group CEO Kuben Pillay described her journey: “From successfully leading the best sales team in the country’s media, to effectively integrating the various radio stations into Primedia Broadcasting, to being the architect behind the positive financial turnaround of the businesses within the stable – Terry’s story is the stuff that MBA books are made of.”
Katy Katapodis, at the time Eyewitness News editor-in-chief, had this to say: “She epitomises the leadership required to ensure that the media stands firm against the elements that threaten its independence and freedom. She has a ‘gut’ for what is right, and what will work and what won’t. The media is often under attack and the underlying support that we enjoy from Terry is invaluable.”
THE RISING STARS
We were never short of nominations for Rising Stars: young women who showed obvious promise and were likely to expand their presence across the sector were selected and honoured, and received accolades with style and grace. These women have gone on to win numerous global and local awards, many are household names, and many continue to study and stretch their wings. 2004: Unathi Nkayi is a broadcast personality (SABC1, YFM, Metro FM, Kaya FM), award-winning singer, actress, judge of Idols SA and shareholder in a television production business. Her memoir, I Keep Learning, was released in 2019. 2005: Tembisa Gebeda-Marele is business journalist and presenter who went on to study strategy and management. She is currently head of communications and reputation at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. 2006: Nikiwe Bikitsha is a multiaward-winning journalist, radio host, television presenter, senior news anchor (CapeTalk, 702, SAfm, eNCA), social commentator and founder of Amargi Media. She has an MA in journalism and media studies, is a Fulbright Hubert Humphrey fellow, and has an MSc from Oxford University. 2007: Siki Mgabadeli is a business and senior anchor, editor, presenter (SABC, CNBC Africa, SAfm, Moneyweb, eNCA, Power FM, SABC2). She has an honours degree in journalism from Rhodes University. 2008: Redi Thlabi is a journalist, producer and presenter (702, SABC, Kaya FM, eNCA), and is presently host of The Big Debate on eNCA. She has written two books, Endings and Beginnings, and Khwezi. She has an honours degree in political economy and English literature.
2009: Sbu Mpungose is a sub-editor, editor (Move!, Bona, True Love, Cosmopolitan), PR account director and communications manager. She studied journalism at Tshwane University. 2010: Natasha Joseph is a writer (Al Jazeera, The Atlantic, The Big Issue), news editor (Cape Argus, City Press) and commissioning editor (The Conversation). She has a BA in journalism from Rhodes University and is currently a much-in-demand freelance editor. 2011: Mandy Weiner is an investigative journalist and news reporter (EWN, 702, CapeTalk, 947, Kfm 94.5), author (Killing Kebble, My Second Initiation) and co-author (Behind the Door, Ministry of Crime, The Whistle Blowers). She has a BA in journalism from Rhodes University and is currently the host of the Midday Report on 702 and CapeTalk. 2012: Anele Mdoda is an award-winning radio and television personality (5FM, 947, Mzanzi Magic, SABC, M-Net) comedian, talk show host and Miss SA competition judge. She studied politics and international relations at the University of Pretoria and is currently host of the 947 Breakfast Club.
