Fikile Ntsikelelo Moya has been appointed editor of the Mercury newspaper in KwaZulu-Natal, Independent Media announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
This formed part of the company’s strategy to recruit and retain the industry’s top editorial talent, with the Mercury the company’s flagship publication in the province, the company said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“This announcement follows that of several senior appointments made by the company over the past few months.”<\/p>\n
Moya, currently the executive editor at Pretoria News, would take up his new post on December 1.<\/p>\n
Before joining Independent, he was the editor of the Witness in Pietermaritzburg before moving to City Press, where he was business section editor and deputy editor.<\/p>\n
Independent Media executive chairman Iqbal Surv\u00e9 said: “Contrary to what is happening in the print media industry in South Africa, Independent Media is growing and expanding its editorial teams.<\/p>\n
“Attracting the best editorial people and providing opportunities for existing editorial staff across our title platforms is part of this strategy.”<\/p>\n
He said the company was investing in technology and new systems, rebuilding newsrooms, and strengthening editorial and commercial teams.<\/p>\n
“We’re planning a few new product launches in the new year and we’re working hard at positioning the new Independent Media as the leading multi-platform media company in South Africa.”<\/p>\n
Independent Media’s company ethos was non-racialism, with a focus on excellence and equity.<\/p>\n
“Transformation to address historical imbalance in a media landscape that has not changed significantly since 1994, is critical. This is key to our recruitment process,” he said.<\/p>\n
Independent Media’s publications in KwaZulu-Natal included the Daily News, the Mercury, the Sunday Independent, the Independent on Saturday, the Post, Isolezwe, and the Sunday Tribune.<\/p>\n