Our Impact
The Digital News Transformation Fund is built on a commitment to transparency, accountability, and learning. While we begin this journey, our intent is clear: to strengthen independent publishing, share insights openly, and measure impact in ways that benefit the entire industry.
| Beneficiary (Legal Entity) | Newsroom / Trading Name | Project Summary | Approved Amount (ZAR) | Funding Period | Funding Tier | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstream Media (Pty) Ltd | Currency News | The project strengthens a digital-first business journalism platform focused on South Africa’s economy, markets, and policy environment. Funding supports platform development, audience growth, and improved editorial workflows. The work aims to build a sustainable model for high-quality financial journalism with national reach. | 1010000 | 12 Months | Engage | Gauteng |
| WhatsNews (Pty) Ltd | Explain News | This project scales social-first explainer journalism designed for audiences who consume news primarily on digital platforms. It supports collaboration with trusted news influencers, rigorous fact-checking, and experimentation with new revenue models. The goal is to expand access to credible information while strengthening financial sustainability. | 1193058 | 12 months | Engage | Gauteng |
| Papasha Media (Pty) Ltd | The Olifants News | The project supports the growth of a digital-first local news platform serving community audiences. Funding focuses on improving digital infrastructure, content production, and audience engagement. The aim is to strengthen consistent local reporting and long-term newsroom viability. | 700000 | 12 months | Grow | Gauteng |
| Williams 2050 (Pty) Ltd | Indaba News and Meer | This project transitions a community newspaper into a multilingual, digital-first newsroom serving Karoo communities. Funding supports a new website, audio journalism, and expanded mobile distribution. The project prioritises access to credible local news in underserved rural areas. | 737600 | 12 months | Grow | Eastern Cape |
| Xenor Projects | Orange Farm News, Globe Post, Walkerville & Savanna City Times | The project delivers a full digital transformation across multiple township news titles. Funding strengthens digital infrastructure, newsroom capacity, audience development, and revenue diversification. The work also generates shared learning for the wider independent media sector. | 699421 | 12 months | Grow | Gauteng |
| Highveld Chronicle | Highveld Chronicle | This project modernises a regional community newspaper through digital platform upgrades and skills development. Funding supports improved content workflows and audience reach. The aim is to sustain local journalism in a rapidly changing media environment. | 514000 | 12 months | Grow | Mpumalanga |
| Rhodes University | Grocott's Mail | The project supports the next phase of digital sustainability and audience growth for a historic community newspaper. Funding strengthens digital products, newsroom systems, and engagement strategies. The work reinforces Grocott’s Mail’s role as a public-interest newsroom in the Eastern Cape. | 620640 | 12 months | Grow | Eastern Cape |
| Winelands Echo | Winelands Echo | This project supports the transition from print to a digital-first community news platform in the Cape Winelands. Funding focuses on multimedia storytelling, mobile access, and new revenue opportunities. The goal is to maintain trusted local reporting while adapting to changing audience habits. | 679000 | 12 months | Grow | Western Cape |
| Vutivi Business News | Vutivi Business News | The Vutivi Club and Vutivi Podcast project expands a digital business news platform focused on small and medium enterprises. Funding supports the launch of new products, including a membership community and podcast. The work aims to amplify underrepresented entrepreneurs and build a sustainable journalism model. | 619000 | 12 months | Grow | Gauteng |
| The Voice of Africa | The Voice of Africa | The Men Speak Up: Prostate Health Awareness in South Africa project delivers a national public-interest journalism initiative focused on men’s health and awareness. Funding supports multimedia storytelling, data-driven reporting, and community engagement. The work uses journalism to address stigma and improve access to reliable health information. | 700000 | 12 months | Grow | Gauteng |
| East Griqualand Printers CC | Kokstad Advertiser | This project modernises long-standing community print operations through digital transformation. Funding supports improved online publishing and operational efficiency. The aim is to secure the future of local journalism in the Eastern Cape. | 326000 | 12 months | Build | Kwa Zulu Natal |
| BT News | BT News | The project supports the digital migration of a community news outlet. Funding focuses on strengthening online publishing and audience development. The work ensures continued access to local news in the North West province. | 329190 | 12 months | Build | Kwa Zulu Natal |
| Eagle Eye News | Eagle Eye News | This project supports the transition of a community newspaper to a stronger digital presence. Funding improves content production and online reach. The aim is to sustain local reporting in Limpopo communities. | 280000 | 12 months | Build | Eastern Cape |
| Zebra Digital Media (Pty) Ltd | Dear SA | The Dear SA project builds a digital civic journalism platform focused on accountability and community voices. Funding supports a multilingual website, content production, and early revenue pilots. The work connects communities, civil society, and funders through verified public-interest reporting. | 290000 | 12 months | Build | Gauteng |
| Stokvel Media Hub (Pty) Ltd | Stokvel Talk | The Stokvel Talk Podcast project expands a digital media platform focused on stokvels and community finance. Funding supports content production, platform development, and audience growth. The goal is to strengthen trusted financial storytelling rooted in everyday community experience. | 280000 | 12 months | Build | Gauteng |
| Mpiyonke's Dream Trading | The Informer Newspaper | The project supports a youth-focused digital storytelling platform. Funding strengthens digital infrastructure and content creation. The work amplifies young voices and community narratives through accessible digital media. | 300000 | 12 months | Build | Eastern Cape |
| Zini Advertising (Pty) Ltd | Kasi Chronicle | This project supports the development of a digital platform for community news content. Funding focuses on improving online presence and production capacity. The aim is to strengthen sustainable local publishing in KwaZulu-Natal. | 280000 | 12 months | Build | Gauteng |
| Inkundla Yezindaba Trading and Enterprise | Inkundla Yezindaba Community Newspaper | The Inkundla Yezindaba Digital Transformation and Community Engagement project expands vernacular digital journalism for community audiences. Funding supports platform development and content growth. The work prioritises access to local news in indigenous languages. | 245000 | 12 months | Build | Kwa Zulu Natal |
| Dikelethu Trading | Queens Town Innovation & News Hub | This project establishes a digital-first community news and innovation hub. Funding supports newsroom setup, content production, and digital skills development. The goal is to strengthen local information access and civic engagement. | 200000 | 12 months | Build | Eastern Cape |
| The Sports Eye News and Projects | The Sports Eye News | The project supports the digital migration of a long-running community sports publication. Funding strengthens online publishing and audience reach. The work preserves grassroots sports reporting in a digital format. | 250000 | 12 months | Build | Free State |
| Thaba Chweu News and Printing | Thaba Chweu News | This project launches the first digital platform for a print-based community newspaper. Funding supports website development and digital workflows. The aim is to secure the long-term sustainability of local journalism in Mpumalanga. | 250000 | 12 months | Build | Mpumalanga |