As journalism evolves, trust remains central. Venelize de Lange from media update spoke to Zukiswa Cetywayo about the realities shaping modern newsroom practices.
As South African media continues to grapple with questions of credibility and representation, the role of journalists working across languages and communities has become more prominent. Newsrooms are under increasing pressure to report quickly, accurately and responsibly, while remaining accessible to diverse audiences.
Zukiswa Cetywayo is a journalist at Newzroom Afrika where she works primarily on isiXhosa-language news programming. Her work sits at the intersection of language, community and contemporary journalism, informed by reporting rooted in both rural and urban contexts.
In this Q&A, Cetywayo reflects on the evolving demands placed on today's journalists and the considerations that shape how stories are told.
You often speak about journalism as a tool for connection. In practice, what does connection look like when you’re reporting on difficult or sensitive stories?
Asking respectful and transparent questions, and telling stories in a way that honours people's humanity rather than reducing them to moments of pain. Always provide context and avoid sensationalism. Building trust is crucial.
In 2025, misinformation is nothing new. How do you personally safeguard accuracy without losing relevance or timeliness?
Staying relevant doesn't mean being first at all costs — it means being clear, honest and responsive, and prioritising trust so audiences know the information they're getting is both timely and reliable.
Cross-checking facts and being transparent about what's known and what's still developing is part of the way we operate at Newzroom Afrika.
Reporting in isiXhosa is central to your work. How does language choice shape the way stories are told (and received) by audiences?
Language shapes not just how a story is told, but how it's felt and understood.
Reporting for Iindaba Zethu in isiXhosa allows stories to be rooted in cultural meaning; and that builds connection and makes complex or sensitive issues more accessible.
One thing I have come to realise is that when audiences hear their own language, the reporting feels less distant and more accountable, turning journalism into a conversion rather than just news or translation.
How do you see indigenous-language journalism contributing to cultural preservation in an increasingly globalised world?
By keeping languages active in public life, not just in tradition, but in contemporary conversations about anything ranging from politics to health and identity.
That carries cultural memory through storytelling and ensures communities see themselves reflected with dignity in a globalised media landscape, rather than being spoken about only through dominant languages.
Do you think speed has become the enemy of depth in modern journalism, or can the two coexist?
Yes, I do think that speed and depth can coexist. When journalism prioritises clarity, verification and transparency, timely reporting can still leave room for follow-up, context and deeper storytelling — treating speed as a starting point, not the final word.
Growing up in Mount Frere and later working in Johannesburg, how has moving between rural and urban spaces shaped your journalistic lens?
Experiencing life in a rural community taught me to value lived experience while urban reporting exposed me to broader systems and diverse audiences. This helps me tell stories that are both grounded in people’s realities and aware of larger societal contexts.
What skills do young journalists need today that weren't as crucial a decade ago?
Young journalists today need strong digital literacy, including the ability to verify online content and spot misinformation, as well as multimedia storytelling skills to engage audiences across platforms.
They also need cultural sensitivity and adaptability to report for diverse communities and the ability to balance speed with accuracy in a 24 / 7 news cycle — skills that weren't as critical a decade ago.
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