Black Wednesday: The Legacy of the Early Black Press and Indigenous Media in South Africa

AIP chairperson, Anetta Mangxaba was proud to speak at an historic event, held on Wednesday, 16 October to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Imvo Zabantsundu, the first African-owned and run newspaper, founded by John Tengo Jabavu in 1884. Scholars from the University of the Western Cape and the University of Cape Town highlighted the profound impact of early black press publications on African modernity, democratic discourse, and indigenous language media. The event aimed to foster collaboration between academics and media practitioners to enhance inclusivity, representation, and sustainable practices within South African media, drawing from the lessons of Imvo Zabantsundu.

Click here for Anetta’s presentation.