Speak Up SA 2025
Where Young Voices Defend the Future of Free Expression
In Partnership
Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies
Speak Up SA 2025
Where Young Voices Defend the Future of Free Expression
In Partnership
with the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies
Freedom of Expression Needs New Voices
And South Africa’s students are stepping up.
In 2025, the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) at Rhodes University launched the pilot Speak Up SA Competition, inviting journalism students to examine the meaning and importance of freedom of expression in society.
A total of 56 students participated in an online seminar series and produced original submissions across multiple formats, including podcasts, blogs, documentaries, posters, essays and design.
What Is Speak Up SA?
Speak Up SA is a year-long initiative by the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) and the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University.
The programme aims to encourage journalism students to think critically about freedom of expression in South Africa and across the continent, while supporting creative and ethical storytelling using contemporary media formats.
Through an online seminar series, students engage with leading journalists, cartoonists, and media practitioners from across Africa. The programme also seeks to build a model that can be expanded to universities across South Africa, and later across the continent.
As part of the pilot, students participated in expert-led sessions, all of which are available on the Campaign for Free Expression YouTube channel.
Why This Competition Matters
Speak Up SA was created to encourage journalism students to think critically about freedom of expression in South Africa and across the continent, while developing the skills needed to tell these stories responsibly.
The competition supports creative and ethical storytelling using contemporary media formats, and exposes students to leading journalists, cartoonists, and media practitioners through an online seminar series.
The pilot also tests a model that can be expanded to universities across South Africa, and later across the continent. As part of the programme, students engaged with expert guests from across Africa, with all seminar recordings available on the Campaign for Free Expression YouTube channel.
2025 Prize Winners
Why These Projects Were Chosen
Assessment excerpt by Nicole Fritz
“I was enormously impressed by the overall standard of submissions received for the Speak Up SA competition. Students approached the theme of freedom of expression with striking seriousness, creativity, and insight. The range of mediums demonstrated both the variety of contemporary expression and the richness of the individual voices participating.
Among a commendable field, three submissions stood out for their conceptual clarity, strong execution, and originality: Mahlatse Mokgope’s podcast Dumb Internet People, Ndalo Mbombo’s blog Reading Between the Lines, and Minenhle Mbali Ndlela’s documentary Freedom’s Frequency.
Freedom’s Frequency stands out as the strongest entrant and is awarded the overall prize, with special commendation given to Mokgope and Mbombo.”
Student Showcase
Watch the Online Seminar Series
Students participated in a live seminar series featuring journalists, editors and creators from across Africa.
Seminar 1
Seminar 2
Seminar 3
Seminar 4
Project Leadership
Catherine White
Project Manager — Speak Up SA 2025
Catherine White is a multimedia journalist and media trainer passionate about mentoring young storytellers. She led the pilot from concept to completion, supporting students as they explored freedom of expression through creative media.
Atang Matiea
With Thanks
Speak Up SA 2025 was made possible by many hands behind the scenes.
Special thanks to Atang Matiea, whose technical coordination ensured every seminar ran smoothly — with care, calmness and commitment to student success.
Our Guest Speakers
Speak Up SA 2025 was enriched by the insights, expertise, and generosity of leading journalists, editors, and creators who joined our seminar series. We are deeply grateful to the following contributors who shared their time and expertise with our students
Zapiro
Political Cartoonist
Anton Harber
Former Executive Director at Campaign for Free Expression; Executive Director Henry Nxumalo Foundation
Khadija Patel
Investigative Journalist; Fund for Public Interest Media
Nicole Fritz
Executive Director, Campaign for Free Expression
Ismail Akwei
Editor, Global South World (Ghana)
Jeff Wicks
Investigative Journalist, News24
Mia Malan
Founder and Editor in Chief, Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism
KG Mokgadi
Presenter and Comedian, Politically Aweh
Stephen Horn
Co-founder, Politically Aweh
Gloria Irankunda
Journalist, Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Help us grow the next generation of South Africa’s storytellers.
Your contribution helps us offer training, mentorship, prize money, and resources to student journalists across the country.
Every donation, large or small, strengthens our ability to expand the programme to more universities and to ensure that young voices continue to be heard.
When donating, please include the reference: SPEAKUPSA to ensure your contribution is correctly directed to this initiative. All contributions go directly toward student support, training, project resources and competition prizes.
Support free expression. Support student voices. Support the future of journalism.