EntreprenHER grant highlights community-focused media and women leadership

Community-driven media thrives when it balances financial sustainability and social responsibility.

This belief is echoed by Nomthandazo Shai, publisher of Straightline News in Mpumalanga and winner of the R50,000 fraymedia Foundation EntreprenHER grant, who emphasises the importance of staying true to your audience.

Nomthandazo Shai, publisher of Straightlne News and winner of the fraymedia Foundation EntreprenHER grant, 2024

“If your goal is to assist the community, then the community will be the one that drives you, once you put all your models in place,” said Shai.

Shai was named the inaugural winner of the grant on 18 November during an online event that celebrated ten women media entrepreneurs who completed the six-month entreprenHER programme. The event brought together journalists, community leaders, and supporters from across the continent.

The co-founder of fraymedia Foundation, Paula Fray, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering women, and creating opportunities for collaboration and support that will ripple across Southern Africa and the broader African continent.

Paula Fray, co-founder of fraymedia Foundation

“fraymedia Foundation aims to “change the media landscape in the sense of making sure that women in the media are supported,” said Fray. 

The 2020 Global Media Monitoring Project noted an increase in the number of women reporters, yet men continued to dominate coverage of politics and government, highlighting the persistent gender imbalance in media representation. 

Addressing this imbalance, keynote speaker Phathiswa Magopeni, Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA), delivered a compelling speech on the critical role of women leaders in transforming media narratives.

Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA)

“Having women as newsroom leaders promotes intellectual diversity and improves connection with audiences,” she said.

Magopeni emphasised the importance of addressing intersectional issues and amplifying the voices of marginalised groups, including Black women, LGBTQ+ women, and women with disabilities.

“Women media leaders can reshape narratives and foster a more inclusive, accurate media landscape,” said Magopeni.

Additionally, Magopeni called on media leaders to push for policy reforms addressing systemic inequalities and holding power structures accountable. By spotlighting intersectional issues, women leaders can drive cultural change and create equitable representation in media and society, she said.

Looking ahead, Charmeela Bhagowat, CEO of fraymedia Foundation, announced that the foundation would seek new partners to help launch next year’s programme.

“We are hoping to grow this into one of our flagship programmes. A program that over time, transforms an already transforming media environment,” Bhagowat said.