DNTF Awards R15. 8M in Grants to 22 South African News Publishers Emphasizing Digital Transformation and Vernacular Content Johannesburg, South Africa – The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNTF) has allocated R15. 8 million in grants to 22 independent news publishers in its second funding round, supporting a diverse range of projects aimed at enhancing digital operations and audience engagement across South Africa.
This brings the total number of funded projects to 43, reflecting a growing commitment to modernizing the country’s news ecosystem.
The DNTF, a partnership between Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), is administered by Tshikululu Social Investments.
The initiative is part of a broader R114 million program designed to strengthen digital operations, audience development, and financial resilience among South Africa’s independent news publishers.
The second funding round targeted smaller newsrooms across seven provinces, with grants distributed across all four of the Fund’s maturity tiers: Ignite, Build, Grow, and Engage. Notably, three projects operate at a national level, while the projects range from the launch of digital platforms by community newspapers to advanced data journalism platforms and AI-powered content tools serving national audiences. Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa, a member of the DNTF Adjudication Committee, highlighted the improvement in applications aligning with digital transformation.
“These are not applications for basic websites or podcast studios,” she. “Publishers and editorial teams are presenting sophisticated and nuanced strategies for reaching their audiences through mobile-first platforms, WhatsApp channels, and short-form video. ” The growth in vernacular-language publishing and responsible newsroom AI adoption across the cohort reflects a diverse, independent media sector that is rapidly growing and deserves sustained investment.
The Fund now supports content in at least nine South African languages, including Sepedi, Xitsonga, Setswana, isiXhosa, and Sesotho.
In addition to financial support, the grants provide capacity building to support newsrooms in adopting new technologies and methodologies. This includes the expansion of vernacular-language publishing, which is crucial for reaching communities that may not be served by mainstream media.
The impact of these grants is expected to be far — reaching, contributing to a more robust and resilient media landscape in South Africa.
As the news ecosystem continues to evolve, the DNTF’s role in fostering innovation and sustainability is becoming increasingly vital.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: africa
Source: SG Editor
