Who we are

As of 10 June 2020, GroundUp became an independent non-profit company. Previously we were a project of Community Media Trust (CMT). CMT continues to manage our finances, human resources etc.

Board

Thembela Ntongana (Chair, former GroundUp reporter and currently Digital and Community Manager at The Nal’ibali Trust)

Phumzile Malinga (Treasurer, Finance Executive for Old Mutual Property)

Angela Quintal (former editor of the Mail & Guardian, currently the Africa Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists)

Edwin Cameron (former Constitutional Court Judge and currently the inspecting judge of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services)

Tyrone August (former Editor of the Cape Times and a founding member of the South African National Editors Forum)

Philani Mgwaba (former Editor of The Mercury newspaper and founding Editor of Isolezwe)

Nathan Geffen (ex officio as Director)

Barbara October (ex officio as Editor)

Staff

Nathan Geffen: Director

Barbara October: Editor

Daniel Steyn: Deputy Editor

Brent Meersman: Associate Editor

Alide Dasnois: Associate Editor

Ashraf Hendricks: Visual Editor

Steve Kretzmann: Chief Reporter

Joseph Bracken: KZN Reporter

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik: Eastern Cape Reporter

Marecia Damons: Senior Reporter

Mary-Anne Gontsana: Reporter and head of fact-checking

Ihsaan Haffejee: Gauteng Photojournalist 

Liezl Human: Senior Reporter

Communications, Finance and Administration

Colleen Monaghan:  Fundraising and Operations Manager

Nosindiso Hadebe: Financial Officer and Administrator

Masego Mafata: Communications Manager

Iva Fulepu: Communications Administrator

Many freelancers contribute to GroundUp. Here is a list of people who have written for us.

Last updated: 3 March 2026