Quote This Woman+ (QW+) and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) have teamed up to launch the Look, Listen, Local Innovation Fund, supported by a generous R100,000 donation from 1st for Women Insurance. This R2 Million fund aims to amplify women’s voices in South African media and support journalists and editors at the grassroots level.
Named in celebration of Women’s Month, the initiative focuses on empowering community-first media to better represent and serve their audiences. Kath Magrobi, director of QW+, emphasized the fund’s role in transforming community newsrooms to be inclusive and reflective of diverse community needs.
Seugnette van Wyngaard, head of 1st for Women Insurance, highlighted the fund’s significance in closing the gender gap in media, providing crucial role models for girls and ensuring diverse perspectives in news coverage.
Kate Skinner, director of AIP, stressed the urgent need to support journalists amidst industry challenges, enhancing community media’s ability to produce diverse content and transition online.
The Look, Listen, Local Innovation Fund launches officially on 22 September with a corporate donor media breakfast, featuring prominent women thought-leaders and media professionals. Corporate sponsorships for tables will contribute directly to the fund’s goal of R2 Million, supporting initiatives that empower women and marginalized voices in South African media.
For more information and to participate, visit AIP’s website.
