The Album student newspaper on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng recently invited Mr Sikonathi Mantshantsha, the deputy editor of the Financial Mail, to deliver a public lecture titled “State of Capture: A South African story”.

The public lecture, which analised the role of journalists in holding the executive accountable, was attended by students and various media practitioners in and around Mahikeng.

This lecture was organised in response to campus students who expressed interest in holding a dialogue with journalists who are at the forefront of writing and publishing articles on what has come to be known as state capture.

“The campus newspaper organised this dialogue not only in response to this student interest, but also to its own need to conduct meaningful dialogues on campus to enable students who are studying towards a communication or journalism qualification to interact with some of the heads of top publications,” says editor of The Album, OL Seleke. “By doing this, it will enable us all to get a better sense of what a career in journalism entails.”

“If I had it my way, I would change the topic slightly to talk about the role of citizens in holding the executive accountable,” says the public lecture guest, Mr Mantshantsha. “It is the people who are looted, because they actually own these institutions, although government manages them on their behalf. Journalism needs to shine a light on unscrupulous acts by men and women entrusted to manage the assets of people, but it is the citizenry that must and should have the last word as stakeholders.”

 Mr Sikonathi Mantshantsha, the deputy editor of the Financial Mail, addresses students on the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng on state capture and the role journalists play to keep the executive accountable