Our latest venture, Our City News, which will spotlight the city of Johannesburg and everything we know and love about the country’s economic engine, is rolling out. This new venture brings together a team of top-notch journalists to fill the gaps in coverage of the city: what we love and hate about it, what works and what doesn’t, and how we can work together to fix it.
Our City News is a non-profit dedicated to serving the people of Johannesburg and ensuring that the city caters for all its residents. It will bring to the fore the voices and faces of ALL Joburgers.
OCN Editor-in-Chief Sbu Ngalwa said the initiative was a response to the hollowing out of newsrooms due to the digital disruption. This has resulted in declining revenues and lack of investment in media companies.
Our City News is about filling the void left by the flight of skilled journalists. Our reporting will get to the heart of what matters most to people of Joburg – whether it’s a broken traffic light, water issues or a thriving community park. By focusing on accountability and solutions, we intend not only to spotlight problems but also empower residents with the information they need to make decisions about their lives. Our reporting will also help communities to participate in making their city better,” said Ngalwa.
Our City News, a project of the Henry Nxumalo Foundation, is the first test of a new approach to journalism: a pop-up, virtual, hyperlocal newsroom. You will find our reports in mainstream outlets, on social media, on our website, or subscribe to our newsletter and you will get it in your inbox.