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2 weeks ago
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The Press Council of South Africa has appointed Thabo Leshilo as the new Public Advocate.
- The Press Council of South Africa has appointed Thabo Leshilo as its new public advocate.
- Leshilo will begin his five-year term on 1 November, succeeding Fanie Groenewald, who retires in December.
- Leshilo brings more than 30 years of newsroom and editorial leadership experience, including roles as editor-in-chief of the Sowetan and Sunday World.
The Press Council of South Africa (PCSA) has announced the appointment of Thabo Leshilo as the new public advocate.
Leshilo will take up the role on 1 November for a five-year term, replacing Fanie Groenewald, who will retire in December.
Groenewald will work alongside Leshilo until the end of his term to ensure a smooth transition.
In a statement, the PCSA said Leshilo’s appointment came at a critical time when public trust in the media, ethical journalism, and accountability were central to national and global conversations about the future of journalism.
Leshilo is a seasoned journalist and media leader who has more than three decades of experience in newsroom management, editorial leadership, and media development. He previously served as the editor-in-chief of the Sowetan and Sunday World.
The PCSA noted that his extensive career in newsroom leadership and public affairs brings invaluable expertise, insight, and integrity to the organisation.
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As public advocate, Leshilo will serve as the main point of contact for members of the public who lodge complaints about the journalistic and ethical conduct of the PCSA’s member entities.
His mandate includes advocating for complainants, guiding them through the complaints process, and ensuring cases are handled fairly and transparently while upholding the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct.
He will also act as a bridge between the public and the media, reinforcing the council’s commitment to accessibility, accountability, and fairness.
Welcoming his appointment, retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, chair of the appointments panel, said the PCSA was delighted to have Leshilo on board.
She said:
He is a highly respected figure in the South African media landscape, and his appointment strengthens the council’s work of protecting press freedom while ensuring that the public has recourse when the standards of ethical journalism are not met.
Nkabinde added that Leshilo, who previously served as public advocate at the then-Avusa Media, had been at the forefront of advancing ethical journalism and accountability.
“Among his qualifications, he holds a Master’s in Applied Ethics from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University, where he explored global perspectives on media freedom and editorial governance,” she said.
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PCSA’s executive director, Dr Phathiswa Magopeni, also welcomed the appointment.
“It affirms our commitment to an accountable and accessible media. Mr Leshilo’s integrity, grounding in applied ethics, and wealth of journalistic experience bring both wisdom and credibility to this role, at a time when public trust in the media is under scrutiny,” she said.
*Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correctly reflect Justice Bess Nkabinde’s gender. (30/09/2025)
