[South Africa] Uncertain future for nation’s oldest newspaper as staff go unpaid under new ownership

In South Africa, three months after taking ownership of two of the Eastern Cape’s best-known newspapers, Ubuntu Media Holdings has failed to make its July payroll for around 100 employees, Daily Maverick reports.

Staff continue to seek answers about the future of the publications they produce.

Ubuntu Media Holdings reportedly acquired five Eastern Cape titles from Arena Holdings on May 1, including The Herald in Gqeberha, South Africa’s oldest newspaper, Daily Dispatch in KuGompo City, together with community titles Go & Express, Talk of the Town and The Rep.

According to the Daily Maverick, it has made repeated attempts to establish the reason for the missed payroll, when employees would be paid, and if the affected newspapers faced any risk to their continued publication. Their requests were met with silence or refusals to comment from key figures at Ubuntu Media Holdings.

The missed payroll deadline provoked fears about the continued publication of the titles, and some staff have reportedly stated that financial pressures from the wage arrears are affecting their ability to travel to work, access data and continue working as normal.

By July 30, communication about the reasons for the non-payment still had yet to be made to employees. Ubuntu Media Holdings CEO Bongani Siqoko declined to comment on the situation.

Source: Daily Maverick

In South Africa, three months after taking ownership of two of the Eastern Cape’s best-known newspapers, Ubuntu Media Holdings has failed to make its July payroll for around 100 employees, Daily Maverick reports.

Staff continue to seek answers about the future of the publications they produce.

Ubuntu Media Holdings reportedly acquired five Eastern Cape titles from Arena Holdings on May 1, including The Herald in Gqeberha, South Africa’s oldest newspaper, Daily Dispatch in KuGompo City, together with community titles Go & Express, Talk of the Town and The Rep.

According to the Daily Maverick, it has made repeated attempts to establish the reason for the missed payroll, when employees would be paid, and if the affected newspapers faced any risk to their continued publication. Their requests were met with silence or refusals to comment from key figures at Ubuntu Media Holdings.

The missed payroll deadline provoked fears about the continued publication of the titles, and some staff have reportedly stated that financial pressures from the wage arrears are affecting their ability to travel to work, access data and continue working as normal.

By July 30, communication about the reasons for the non-payment still had yet to be made to employees. Ubuntu Media Holdings CEO Bongani Siqoko declined to comment on the situation.

Source: Daily Maverick