ABOUT US:

WE DEVELOP INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM. WE EXPOSE WRONGDOING. WE HOLD POWER TO ACCOUNT.

Through our exposés, advocacy and advancement of investigative journalism, we have contributed to positive change and political accountability.

AmaBhungane’s small team of investigators has forced information into the public domain where there was none. Our investigative stories – exposés on institutional independence being undermined, corruption, corporate malfeasance and “state capture” — have contributed to political and corporate changes that included the resignation of South Africa’s president in February 2018.

We have helped others do and develop investigative journalism by hosting some 80 fellows and presenting numerous workshops. Some of our alumni went on to found centres like ours elsewhere in Southern Africa. We have supported and collaborated with those centres, and scaled up the support by spinning off a separate non-profit, the IJ Hub, which we incubated from 2019 to 30 June 2021.

Our advocacy has secured information flows for journalists and the public at large. We helped found the campaign that stopped the “Secrecy Bill”; secured legislative amendments including to make company ownership transparent; litigated successfully including to preserve the public status of court records and have unduly intrusive state surveillance practices struck down; and improved access-to-information law by exercising it in and out of the courts.

We answer to a board consisting of Prof William Gumede (chair), Stephen (Sam) Sole, Nic Dawes, Angela Quintal and Caroline James (staff representative). Sam is the executive director.

AmaBhungane is a part of the Press Ombud. Bringing transparency, bringing about change.

AmaBhungane proudly displays the “FAIR” stamp of the Press Council of South Africa, indicating our commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics for Print and online media which prescribes that our reportage is truthful, accurate and fair. Should you wish to lodge a complaint about our news coverage, please lodge a complaint on the Press Council’s website, www.presscouncil.org.za or email the complaint to enquiries@ombudsman.org.za. Contact the Press Council on 011 4843612.

FAQ

What kind of entity is amaB?

AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism NPC is registered as a non-profit company (NPC) with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).

AmaBhungane is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) with the South African Revenue Service.

Who serves on the board of directors?

  • Prof William Gumede, board chair
  • Nicholas Dawes, non-executive director
  • Angela Quintal, non-executive director
  • Caroline James, amaB staff representative
  • Sam Sole, Executive director, ex officio

Is amaBhungane owned by the Daily Maverick?

AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism NPC (amaB) is not owned by the Daily Maverick nor is amaB part of the Daily Maverick in structure. The Daily Maverick is one of amaBhungane's publication partners - as is News24. Depending on how stories unfold or are produced, we may also publish via others as we have done in the past, e.g. Financial Mail, M&G, etc. AmaBhungane makes its stories available to the Daily Maverick (and to others as above) for publication. AmaB has collaborated with the Daily Maverick on specific stories. AmaBhungane is registered as an NPC with the CIPC - with its own registration number, and we are registered as a Public Benefit Organisation with SARS - again with its own PBO number. The organisation is led by Sam Sole and has its own governing body of directors.

Who funds amaBhungane’s work?

Our work is made possible by grants and donations. To donate to amaB, click here. To see our grantor support, click here. To read our fundraising policy, click here.

DIGGING DUNG.
FERTILISING DEMOCRACY.

Launched in 2010, amaBhungane (isiZulu for “the dung beetles”) is an independent, non-profit newsroom based in South Africa. We develop investigative journalism to promote free, capable media and open, accountable, just democracy.

We are a non-profit, there to serve the public. We do not sell our stories.