Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism - Swaziland

The newly established Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) realises that without investigative reporting, Swaziland would be a far more corrupt constitutional democracy. This new non-profit media organisation was established on June 16 2017 with its headquarters in the capital, Mbabane. In the SiSwati language, inhlase means a spark and in this case, ICIJ’s overall goal is to shine light on the corrupt practices concealed from the glare of public scrutiny. ICIJ draws inspiration from the words of Assistant Director General of UNESCO for Communication and Information, Janis Karkilins (2012) who states that the role that media can play as a watchdog is indispensable for democracy. More importantly, investigative journalism crucially contributes to freedom of expression and freedom of information. ICIJ realises that it is about time Swaziland had its own media organisation specialising in the development of investigative reporting skills to uproot corruption. ICIJ produces investigative stories.

Inhlase background

Swaziland’s Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism, which was registered in June 2017, is the newest addition in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Inhlase, which means “spark” in siSwati, is an independent and non-profit making organisation that produces investigative news for publication. Inhlase Centre for Investigative Journalism has been set up to ignite the culture of investigative journalism and critical thinking in the kingdom. There is no doubt that investigative journalism in Swaziland is on the decline and Inhlase intends to revive it by also training investigative journalists.
The importance of investigative journalism in the fight against corruption that according to a former finance minister and now governor of the Central Bank of Swaziland, Majozi Sithole account for E80 million per month, cannot be over-emphasised. It also plays a crucial on the promotion of good governance and democracy.
Inhlase currently operates from The Nation magazine, the only publication that has so far agreed to publish its investigative news. Its founders are; Nimrod Mabuza, Vuyisile Hlatshwayo and Mantoe Phakathi.
Since Inhlase is new, it has not secured any funding. Operations are still funded from the co-founders pockets. We acknowledge all support from amaBhungane in making this idea into reality.

Team

Nimrod Mabuza, Managing Partner - Editorial

A graduate of Ghana Institute of Journalism, Nimrod worked as a journalist at the Times of Swaziland Group of Newspapers from 1988 to 2007. At the Times of Swaziland, he edited the weekly editions: Swazi News and Times of Swaziland Sunday. He also headed the newspaper’s investigative wing which however collapsed due to interference. He attended workshops in investigative journalism coordinated by the then NSJ Centre. He joined The Nation magazine in January 2008.

Mantoe Phakathi, Managing Partner – Research & Training

A Chevening alumnus, Mantoe, who joined The Nation in 1997, has been with the amaBhungane. She studied at the University of South Africa, Rhodes University and is currently completing her MSc Climate Change Development and Policy, at Sussex University in the United Kingdom.

Vuyisile Hlatshwayo, Managing Partner - Operations

A media researcher and co-founder of The Nation, Vuyisile doubles as a journalist and voluntary National Director of MISA Swaziland. Armed with a Research MA in Media Studies from University of Cape Town, South Africa, his research interests are media freedom, media regulation and public sphere.