In the shadow of state capture, pervasive corruption, and eroding public trust, a vital line of defence remains: investigative journalism. In a recent panel discussion titled “Investigative Journalism in Defence of Democracy,” facilitated by the NWU Business School, columnist and analyst Khaya Sithole moderated a conversation with journalists Pauli van Wyk from Investec, Kyle Cowan from Media24, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha from News24 to unpack the difficult realities of holding power to account in South Africa. Their dialogue revealed a profession fuelled by passion but surrounded by risk, underfunded, and operating within a system that often protects the corrupt more zealously than it protects the truth.
A different approach; the South African way
The conversation opened with an important distinction. While South Africans consume news with the same immediacy and urgency seen in the United States, the way journalism is practiced here is quite different.
Instead of leaning heavily into opinion and political divides, the panellists agreed that South African investigative journalism remains rooted in the pursuit of facts, fairness, and accountability. At its core, the work is about getting to the truth and presenting it as clearly and objectively as possible.
This commitment to fairness, however, is being tested like never before.
Not a job, but a calling
One of the most profound insights was that investigative journalism is not a career one simply chooses from a university brochure. It is a calling discovered in the trenches.
“You don’t graduate and become an investigative journalist,” explained Kyle, whose work often involves forensic analysis of complex documents. “You might start in sports, finance, or general reporting. It’s in the newsroom crucible that you discover the patience and dedication this work demands.”
Pauli van Wyk, known for her tenacious pursuit of high-profile corruption stories, emphasised that while university provides theory, it cannot teach the indispensable human skills: the nerve for cold-calling a powerful subject, the empathy to interview a traumatised whistleblower, or the tenacity to negotiate for a key document. Furthermore, in our data-saturated age, proficiency in tools like Excel for forensic financial analysis is now indispensable yet is rarely taught with the depth required.
Sikonathi Mantshantsha echoed this point, stressing that in a data-saturated age, technical skill is non-negotiable. “Proficiency in tools like Excel for analysing large datasets or interpreting municipal financial records is now as fundamental as a notebook and pen,” he said.
However, the traditional way of training journalists, where experienced reporters mentored newcomers on the job is disappearing as newsrooms shrink under financial pressure. This means there are fewer opportunities for hands-on learning, making structured internship programmes essential for training new journalists and sustaining the profession.
A system designed to fail truth-tellers
The conversation took a sombre turn when addressing the stakes. The journalists detailed the personal risks: threats, debilitating legal intimidation (SLAPPs), and public vilification. But the most alarming vulnerability lies not with them, but with their sources. Here, the panel delivered its most damning indictment, stating that whistleblowers are the lifeblood of democracy, yet South Africa’s system is designed to abandon them.
Pauli, who has worked closely with numerous sources, articulated the dual dilemma: “The protections for whistleblowers are paper-thin, and the institutions meant to safeguard them, the police and the National Prosecuting Authority, are often compromised or ineffective” This creates a powerful chilling effect. Anyone with information has to weigh the risk of speaking out, including losing their job, their safety, or even their life, with little confidence that the state will protect them or deliver justice. This breakdown in protection is one of the biggest obstacles to exposing corruption. Whistleblowers show immense courage, while journalists are left with the difficult task of telling their stories, often without being able to guarantee their safety
Strengthening investigative journalism
The dialogue concluded not with despair, but with a clear-eyed call for structural reform to defend the defenders. Their recommendations form an essential manifesto for change:
1. Specialised education: The panel advocated for advanced, practical training through postgraduate degrees or dedicated academies. Curricula must cover forensic finance, data analysis, legal frameworks, and the intricate dynamics of local government corruption.
2. Systemic protection: The demand for robust, enforceable whistleblower protection laws is a democratic emergency. This must be coupled with the
urgent depoliticization and strengthening of police and prosecuting authorities to restore faith in justice.
3. Financial support: Investigative journalism is expensive and time-consuming. “This work cannot be done on a shoestring budget,” Kyle emphasised. Greater funding from both public and private sectors is essential to sustain the newsrooms undertaking this vital work.
The final word from the panel was a powerful reaffirmation of the mission. Despite the risks and obstacles, this work remains driven by a profound commitment to public service, not fame or wealth. The work of journalists like Pauli, Kyle, and Sikonathi is a daily act of defiance against corruption, against intimidation, and for the soul of South Africa’s democracy.
