The M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism aims to develop investigative journalism in the public interest.

A first in South Africa, we are is a non-profit, public interest initiative to produce better investigative stories and to plough back into the profession through internships and advocacy.

Staff
The Centre’s investigators – nicknamed amaBhungane, isiZulu for the Dung Beetles – are led by multiple-award winning journalists Sam Sole and Stefaans Brümmer. Reinforced by a growing staff of investigators and interns, amaBhungane promise to get to the bottom of the … well, dung, to expose corruption and the abuse of power wherever they find it.

The centre’s mandate

• To produce major investigative stories in the public interest;
• To impart investigative skills to working journalists through an internship programme, in service of the wider media community and the public; and
• To engage in advocacy to defend and expand the democratic space investigative journalists need to do their work, again in service of the wider media community and the public.

Why non-profit?
Investigative journalism is expensive, risky investment. It needs time and resources to succeed; to uncover facts beyond the apparent; to hold the powerful to account.

In a purely commercial environment, good investigative journalism often struggles to compete with instantly gratifying, fast-food journalism -- the kind that sells papers today but wraps fish tomorrow.

Non-profit, donor funded models represent an alternative that has already gained ground in the Americas and Europe. Adequate funding without a profit motive helps ensure that the public’s interest in the exposure of wrongdoing is served.

Relationship with M&G Media Ltd and outside funders
M&G Media Ltd, publisher of the Mail & Guardian and Mail & Guardian Online, spawned the centre. It remains its baseline funder and regular publisher, lending sustainability and a reputable outlet. Outside funders enhance the centre’s capacity to fulfill the three aspects of its mandate: investigative stories, internships and advocacy. The wider media community and the public benefit.

To shield the centre from undue influence, it will seek donations from a multiplicity of funders over time, and generally will not accept government or corporate funding, or funding for specific stories.

Structure and governance
The centre is incorporated as an association not for gain (a section 21 association under South African law). It is governed by a board of directors elected by association members.