Journalists are working harder than ever, taking on multiple roles amid shrinking newsrooms, unstable contracts, and declining print revenue.
As a student journalist who recently began working in a newsroom environment, I have come to realise just how much weight comes with the byline. I used to think journalism was mainly about writing a good story, chasing quotes, and meeting deadlines. But now, being in the thick of it, I see that journalism is so much more; it is a full-body commitment to truth, community, and craft.
What has struck me the most is the sheer amount of work it takes to keep society informed. Behind every headline is a journalist juggling multiple roles – writer, editor, researcher, sometimes even photographer and videographer.
Newsrooms are shrinking, and the expectation is that one person should do the work of three.
According to an article by The Boca Raton Tribune, a major reason for this is the decline in print advertising revenue, which has long been a lifeline for newspapers. With less advertising money coming in, media houses struggle to sustain operations and staff.
This financial pressure trickles down to the newsroom, where fewer people are doing more, often for salaries that do not match the workload or the importance of the job.
From the conversations I have had with practicing journalists, it has become clear that job security in this field is fragile. Most of them are on year-long contracts that get renewed annually – but renewal is not guaranteed. That means one can lose their job at any time, and finding another one is not easy.
This is not just a South African issue. Across the world, finding and keeping a reporting job has become a real challenge. As Mary Paronyan highlighted, the problem is not the quality of journalists, but the job market itself.
Being a journalist is a role that carries great responsibility, but also great uncertainty. Still, the calling remains.
Journalism continues to be a lifeline for communities, a check on power, and a mirror to society. Even with its many challenges, this work matters. And as I learn to navigate it all, I carry that truth with me: journalism may not always reward one financially, but its impact is priceless.
FEATURED IMAGE: Nthabiseng Baloyi. Photo: File/Paul Botes
Wits University’s ongoing biometric access system failures continue to frustrate students and staff, despite earlier promises of improvements.
Wits University’s biometric system continues to malfunction, causing daily access disruptions for students and staff.
Campus control is in the process of replacing the old system.
System failures lead to late arrivals, restricted access to resources, and safety concerns.
Nearly a year after the University of the Witwatersrand acknowledged challenges with its biometric access control system, students and staff are still facing ongoing disruptions that are affecting campus life and safety.
In May 2024, Wits Vuvuzelareported on the instability of the campus control system due to “unexpected software challenges.” At the time, the university proposed interim solutions, including software upgrades and the installation of additional servers.
Almost a year later, the situation has shown little improvement. Students and staff continue to experience difficulties when entering or exiting campuses.
Deputy Director of Campus Control Services (CPS), Mafihla Maleka, confirmed that CPS is currently in the process of replacing the old access control system with “a new, upgraded system.”
“This transition is expected to take approximately fourteen months to complete,” said Maleka. “During this period, Wits patrons may continue to experience some inconvenience when entering or exiting campus premises.”
To help ease the burden during this transitional phase, CPS has stationed personnel at various access points to manually assist with entry and exit.
Students like Reneilwe Kgosietsile and Minentle Mbatha have expressed their frustrations. They say the disruptions often cause them to arrive late for lectures and tests. A major complaint is the random enforcement of student cards, even though the biometric system doesn’t rely on them.
“I don’t live at res. When I forget my student card at home, I must go to extreme lengths to prove that I am a student for security to let me in,” said Mbatha. She also noted that this discourages students from accessing important campus resources. “It even becomes a whole process just to go to the library without your card.”
Security personnel have also voiced concerns. One guard, who requested anonymity, explained that the malfunctions are due to “network issues.” This has implications beyond inconvenience. “What will happen if a student is being chased to be mugged and when they get to the gate it’s not working and there’s no security?” the guard asked.
As the university continues the 14-month system upgrade, the Wits community remains hopeful for a swift resolution. For now, patience is wearing thin and the call for more reliable solutions is louder.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of a non-functional gate at Wits. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
Institutions of higher learning collect millions in non-refundable application fees while thousands of hopefuls are rejected.
As South Africa’s university application season gets underway, the issue of application fees rears its head again, as many wonder why some institutions of higher learning continue to profit while access remains deeply unequal.
Every year, thousands of hopeful students submit university applications, dreaming of a better future. For many, higher education is a way out of generational poverty, a shot at stability, or simply the next step in their growth. But beyond the administrative process of applications lies an overlooked yet significant source of revenue for institutions: non-refundable application fees.
Take the University of the Witwatersrand as a case study. According to Wits news, the university received around 85 000 undergraduate applications for the 2025 academic year. Yet, only about 6 000 first-year students could be registered. This means the vast majority of applicants paid the fees and were ultimately not admitted.
The undergraduate application fee at Wits is R100 for South African citizens and a steep R700 for international students. Postgraduate applicants are charged R200 per application. Multiply those numbers across tens of thousands of applicants, and the revenue becomes significant, even before a single student sets foot on campus.
Wits is not the only institution profiting from this model. The University of Pretoria (UP) and Sefako Makgatho University (SMU) each charge R300 – a hefty amount for many South African families.
This issue has also sparked national debate and caught the attention of Parliament, according to IOL. In a media statement, the Portfolio Committee on higher Education said the practice of collecting fees regardless of whether a student is admitted is concerning.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has called for the “abolishment of unjustifiable application fees.” The PSA argued that these fees result in universities making massive profits even when applications are rejected. “One university reportedly received over 600 000 applications, with applicants each paying a R200 application fee. The university made an enormous profit of R150 million to just reject applications,” a PSA statement said.
From the institutions’ viewpoint, the financial strain they face is real. Universities like Wits carry the weight of providing world-class education in an economy where many students can’t afford to pay tuition. Some students register with fee waivers, which is a progressive move, and many owe thousands in unpaid fees. Yet, the university must continue operating – paying staff, maintaining facilities, and ensuring academic quality.
Speaking to IOL, Wits University’s spokesperson, Shirona Patel, said the university employs hundreds of assistants, senior students, and part-time staff to support the application, administration, and orientation processes at the start of the academic year. Additionally, the university highlighted the ongoing costs of maintaining online platforms and associated technology.
Still, one can’t help but ask: If a large institution like the University of Johannesburg (UJ) can process thousands of applications without charging a cent when one is applying online, why can’t those who charge application fees follow suit?
According to UJ news, the university received more than 760 000 applications (study choices) from 400 000 applicants. UJ said in a Facebook post, almost 99% of these applications were made online, meaning they were processed without an application fee.
This raises the question: Is the application fee truly an administrative necessity?
In a country where education is supposed to be a pathway out of poverty, monetising the application process, especially when rejection is more likely than acceptance, begs for critical reflection.
FEATURED IMAGE: A list of South African universities without application fees. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
Holding power to account is imperative for functioning democracy
The 19th Taco Kuiper Awards served as a reminder of the vital role investigative journalism plays in holding power to account. The stories uncovered wrongdoing and injustice. The annual awards ceremony hosted by the Wits Centre for Journalism was held at Sakhumzi Zoo lake on Friday, April 11.
News24’s Sikonathi Mantshantsha earned top recognition for his explosive series Waste Land, which revealed the devastating collapse of sewage and sanitation infrastructure in Mogale City Municipality.
Having returned to the newsroom after working for Eskom, Mantshantsha reflected on how much this award means to him. “For me to still get full acceptance back into the newsroom after three years of national service was a great honour, and the fact that nearly a year after coming back, I am awarded like this tops it all, it’s the highlight of my career,” said Mantshantsha.
The runner-up prize went to Dewald Van Rensburg of amaBhungane for his intricate series The Laundry, which investigated an elaborate money-laundering operation involving billions of rands and international networks.
Van Rensburg said, “It is fantastic to have the kind of work we do acknowledged because it is very specialised and it is nice to know that people appreciate it.”
The ceremony also cast a light on the often-unseen burdens borne by journalists and their sources. Bianca Goodson, the Trillian whistleblower who helped expose the dodgy dealings between the Gupta-linked Trillian, Eskom, and Transnet delivered an emotional keynote address.
She spoke about the personal cost of coming forward and extended heartfelt thanks to those who supported her and her daughter throughout the ordeal. “I feel very strongly that if it wasn’t for not just amaBhungane but also other journalists that supported not just my narrative, but everyone else that came together, I don’t think my daughter and I would be here today,” she said.
As the country continues to grapple with corruption, inequality, and systematic failure, the journalists honoured this year demonstrated that there are still those willing to speak truth to power.
FEATURED IMAGE: From left to right: Taco Kuiper Awards convenor, Beauregard Tromp; 2025 winner, Sikonathi Mantshantsha and Taco Kuiper judge, Tom Cloete. Photo: Paul Botes
Wits Tang Soo Do athletes are facing major financial hurdles which may prevent them from representing their country.
Athletes need R50 000 each to go to the championships, the university can only cover up to R10 000
Donations are being collected through a GoFundMe campaign
Half the team may have to forfeit their participation
Eleven athletes from Wits Tang Soo Do have been selected to represent South Africa at the World Championships in Scotland this August, but with funding falling short, the team is calling on the Wits community, alumni, and the public to help cover the remaining costs.
The Wits Tang Soo Do Team poses proudly after an intense training session on campus. Photo: Supplied/Keneilwe Sekwale
This prestigious selection marks a significant achievement not only for the athletes but also for Wits University’s legacy in sports. However, they are facing financial difficulties.
According to the club’s Chairperson, Lethabo Rabothata, each athlete will need approximately R50 000 to cover expenses such as flights, accommodation, and food for approximately ten days. Wits Sports is only able to contribute between R5 000 and R10 000 per athlete, leaving a massive shortfall. When contacted for comment, Nontuthuko Simelane from Wits Sports said they were not the relevant party to comment on the matter.
The club has launched a GoFundMe campaign and recently hosted a self-defense seminar to raise funds. Wits Tang Soo Do instructor, Master Gregory Hart said, “The club has a GoFundMe campaign, and I think that’s a really good way that the public can get involved because whether you got R20 or R2 000 that all adds up.”
What started out as a moment of celebration has quickly turned bittersweet. Some athletes are now reconsidering their participation. According to Hart, more than half of the selected athletes may not be able to go.
Lethabo Hatang, one of the selected athletes said, “I really do want to represent my club and the country, but the financial burden is quite demotivating.”
The situation has also reignited calls for greater institutional investment in university sports. “The University is not only for academic excellence but also the sporting opportunities it provides. Wits can provide life-changing opportunities not just in terms of their degrees but also in terms of exposure to different sports,” said Hart.
For Wits Tang Soo Do, this journey is about more than medals. It’s about national pride, representation, and the hope of inspiring the next generation of martial artists.
FEATURED IMAGE: One Team. One Spirit. Tang Soo Do! Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
The newly introduced student contract at Wits is not just a bureaucratic document – it is a silent threat to the academic futures of many.
Disguised as a formality, the student contract introduced in 2025, contains conditions that are not only unjust but it is also out of touch with the lived realities of the very students the institution claims to uplift.
Among its many rigid conditions, the contract states that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all fees are paid on time and within the year of study. This includes tuition and accommodation fees, regardless of whether the surety is a parent, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), or a bursary sponsor.
According to the 2025 comprehensive university fees book, fees are due and payable by June 30, 2025. Failure to meet the deadline may result in the denial of access to university facilities, libraries, or even student accommodation. Let’s be clear; this policy is unfair, it is punitive, and insensitive to the everyday struggles of students.
A section from the contract outlining the university’s conditions regarding fees. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
Much of the student populace is made up of those from historically disadvantaged and economically vulnerable backgrounds. Some were only able to register through the university’s hardship fund. Others were housed in residences through hardship accommodation because they had nowhere else to go. These are not students who are refusing to pay, they simply cannot afford to.
Equally disappointing is the Wits Student Representative Council’s (SRC) delayed response. It wasn’t until students began raising concerns on social media – after the university’s reminder to students, to sign the contract before the deadline on April 2 – that the SRC finally spoke up on April 1. Why did it take public pressure for them to act? Why were they quiet then? Why are they quiet now?
Many students signed this contract, not because they agreed with it, but because they were scared. Scared of being blocked from registration. Scared of being left behind. Scared of the unknown consequences if they didn’t comply.
A contract signed under duress is not a contract freely entered into. It raises serious ethical questions about informed consent and institutional power.
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