fraymedia Foundation

30/09/2026

⏰ ONE DAY LEFT: THE PHANGISILE MTSHALI GRANT AWARD!

Are you a woman journalist ready to turn your experience into a purpose-driven communications business?

There is just ONE DAY LEFT to apply for the 2026 Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award for Transformational Public Relations, presented by fraymedia Foundation.

The award offers R50,000 in start-up funding and ongoing mentorship to help South African women journalists establish purpose-driven communications businesses, particularly in health, development and social impact.

At the Why Health Communication Matters More Than Ever webinar, held as part of the 2026 award launch, speakers reflected on the importance of creating opportunities for women to build sustainable communications enterprises.

fraymedia Foundation CEO Paula Fray, reflecting on Phangisile Mtshali's legacy, said: “She created such space for other women to lead, and to build, and to believe that their work made a difference.”

In her keynote address, Dr Ntombifikile Nokwethemba Mtshali, CEO of Shout-It-Now, highlighted the practical value of the award: “It turns a memory into something material, which is mentorship, networks, support, and the possibility of building a sustainable communications enterprise.”

She also encouraged women with early-stage business ideas to take the leap: “Don't wait for the idea to become perfect before deciding it deserves investment.”

And, on the need for fresh thinking in communications, she emphasised: “In this space, we need new voices, we need new models and new ways of building trust.”

These reflections speak to the importance of investing in women's ideas, expertise and entrepreneurial potential. Kanya Ndaki, Director of Communications at The Aurum Institute and webinar moderator, brought a communications perspective to the discussion, while Lilita Gcwabe, the inaugural award recipient, contributed the perspective of a woman building a communications enterprise, while reflecting within the context of South Africa's health challenges and opportunities.

Their participation underscored the importance of connecting experience, mentorship and practical opportunities for women in media.

Applications close TOMORROW, 1 October 2026.

🔗 APPLY NOW:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nJCsT8CRuQ62_P9ADuIKu_zgnkgu8KtWIyLKP13ZUC8/edit

ℹ️ Read the full call for applications, and watch the webinar:
https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/applications-open-for-the-2026-phangisile-mtshali-grant-award

25/09/2026

⏰ 5 DAYS LEFT TO APPLY FOR THE PHANGISILE MTSHALI GRANT AWARD!

Are you an experienced woman journalist or PR practitioner ready to take your next step into purpose-driven public relations and communications entrepreneurship?

The Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award for Transformational Public Relations is still open for applications — but the clock is ticking.

📅 Application deadline: 1 October 2026

🏆 R50,000 grant award
🌱 Support to develop and grow your communications venture
🤝 Ongoing mentorship and structured support
📣 An opportunity to have your work and entrepreneurial journey recognised and amplified

The Award honours the legacy of Phangisile Mtshali and supports women using communication to create meaningful social impact.

Eligibility: Women with at least five years of journalism or public relations experience. There is no age requirement.

If you have a communications business, a strong idea, or a purpose-driven venture ready to grow, this could be your opportunity to take it forward.

👉 Submit your application today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nJCsT8CRuQ62_P9ADuIKu_zgnkgu8KtWIyLKP13ZUC8/edit

Don’t wait until the final day. Only 5 days to go!

21/09/2026

🚨APPLY NOW for the PHANGISILE MTSHALI GRANT AWARD 2026

South African woman journalists with an idea for a purpose-driven communications or PR business are invited to submit applications to the 2026 Phangisile Mtshali Grant Award for Transformational PR.

📌 Submit your application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nJCsT8CRuQ62_P9ADuIKu_zgnkgu8KtWIyLKP13ZUC8/edit
💡 What’s on offer?
🏆 ZAR 50,000 grant
🤝 Ongoing mentorship and support
🌱 Guidance to help turn an idea into a sustainable communications business
📣 Opportunities to develop and launch your start-up campaign

The 2026 award particularly encourages ideas working across health, development and social impact. Proposals may also focus on other areas where communication can contribute to social change and tell the South African story.

Importantly, you do not need to have a registered business or a fully developed company to apply. If you have a strong idea, a clear sense of purpose and a credible plan for growth, this opportunity is for you.

The award honours the legacy of the late Phangisile Mtshali, whose career brought together journalism, strategic communication, health advocacy and programme leadership.

As 2025 Gward recipient Lilita Gcwabe reflected: “If you have an idea, then you should apply. If you have something that you want to grow, you should apply.”

Her health communications venture, The Health Plug, began as an early-stage idea. With the support of the grant and mentorship, it has since launched its website and completed its first campaign.

✨Your idea doesn't have to be perfect. It needs potential, purpose and a plan.
📅 Applications close: 1 October 2026
👉 Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nJCsT8CRuQ62_P9ADuIKu_zgnkgu8KtWIyLKP13ZUC8/edit
📖 Read the full opportunity and learn more: https://lnkd.in/dfY643qY

Please share this post or tag a woman journalist who has an idea she wants to build.

13/07/2026

Are you pricing your services confidently or simply hoping your rates are competitive?

For many media entrepreneurs and independent professionals, determining what to charge is one of the biggest challenges to building a sustainable business. Pricing is about more than setting a fee, it is about recognising the value of your expertise, communicating that value effectively, and creating a business model that can thrive.

In response to feedback from participants in the fraymedia Foundation Mentorship Booster Programme Seminar Series, we are hosting a practical online workshop designed to help media entrepreneurs and independent professionals strengthen their pricing strategies.

Join us in the Pricing & Rate Card Strategies Workshop with TinaShe Makwande - Drawing on Mac TinaShe Makwande's expertise in media business and entrepreneurship, TinaShe Makwande will guide participants through practical pricing frameworks and professional rate card development, with the session tailored to attendees' business models and pricing challenges.

📅 Date: Tuesday, 14 July 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 - 12:00 (SAST)
📌 Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RBIBZhnNTm6BUYux8wgb9g

During this interactive workshop, participants will:

✅ Develop a tailored, professional rate card for their business.
✅ Learn practical strategies for pricing products and services with confidence.
✅ Explore approaches to building sustainable revenue streams.
✅ Align pricing with their business model, expertise, and market value.
✅ Receive practical guidance that can be implemented.

Register now and take the next step towards building a more sustainable media business.

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Pricing & Rate Card Strategies with TinaShe Makwande. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

08/07/2026

What if the second half of the year isn't about catching up, but about pressing reset?

As we enter the second half of 2026, we're reminded that meaningful progress isn't always about sticking rigidly to the plan. Sometimes, it's about reflecting, adapting and moving forward with renewed purpose.

In this month's fraymedia Foundation Newsletter, we celebrate the resilience, leadership and entrepreneurship of women shaping Africa's media landscape while sharing practical opportunities to help media professionals and entrepreneurs grow.

This July edition: https://mailchi.mp/25641e6bf60b/rncn0lu9a1-11048713 includes:

✨ A message from our CEO, Paula Fray, on why a mid-year reset can be more powerful than striving for perfection.

📈 Register for our upcoming Pricing & Rate Card Strategies Workshop, join in on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, 10h00am SAST, where Mac TinaShe Makwande will share practical tools to help media entrepreneurs price their services with confidence and build sustainable businesses. Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RBIBZhnNTm6BUYux8wgb9g

🎙️ Leadership insights from Daily Maverick CEO Styli C. given during our Rise & Shine Women in Media Breakfast Series, in partnership with WomHub to discuss leading through disruption, building resilient organisations and embracing continuous learning. See the full report and video here: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/daily-maverick-ceo-styli-charalambous-shares-his-lessons-on-learning-to-lead-through-disruption

🌍 Stories of Change, featuring inspiring women whose journeys demonstrate the power of mentorship, entrepreneurship and purpose-driven leadership—including our latest profile of media entrepreneur and science communication specialist Nontobeko Mtshali, whose "Plan B" became a career dedicated to making knowledge more accessible.

📢 A call for participation in the Africa-wide mapping study of women media entrepreneurs, in partnership with African Women in Media (AWiM), to help strengthen evidence, advocacy and support for women-led media businesses across the continent. You can take the survey at http://bit.ly/awimmediamaphttps://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1CpVfdYvOU-yhbIcqcjMurr0k_oB43JNqPaiqM4uVD9UMkpCWjdGQlFFMTNIUlQyWERRRTc5VEhaRy4u&route=shorturl

At the fraymedia Foundation, we believe that investing in women media leaders and entrepreneurs is an investment in stronger journalism, more inclusive storytelling and a more resilient media ecosystem.

Read our latest newsletter to explore these stories, opportunities and resources, and join us as we continue building a thriving community of women leading change in media: https://mailchi.mp/25641e6bf60b/rncn0lu9a1-11048713

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at: https://frayintermedia.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f97bd53db928a94aa42c22922&id=82bddb10c9

My first reaction was panic. How did we get here so quickly? Had I achieved everything I had hoped to by now? What about the projects still sitting on my to-do list, the ideas waiting to be realised, and the promises I'd made to myself back in January?

07/07/2026

What are the key lessons in learning to lead through disruption? And what does it take to lead when the rules keep changing?

📽️WATCH the video of the recent fraymedia Foundation Rise & Shine Women in Media Breakfast Series, held in Cape Town, in partnership with WomHub - where Daily Maverick CEO and co-founder, Styli Charalambous gives the sounding keynote remarks.

📺 The video is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHfe55oj-VI

In an era of rapid technological shifts, evolving audience behaviours and increasing financial pressures, leadership in media is no longer about having all the answers. It's about learning, adapting and making difficult decisions with purpose.

Learn more from the candid reflections on building and leading one of South Africa's most influential independent news organisations through years of disruption.

ℹ️ Read the full story from our website: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/daily-maverick-ceo-styli-charalambous-shares-his-lessons-on-learning-to-lead-through-disruption

Some of the key lessons from the conversation included:

☑️ Leadership is a continuous learning journey. Growth comes from remaining curious, embracing uncertainty and being willing to evolve.
☑️ Culture is a strategic advantage. Strong organisations are built on trust, transparency and empowering people to innovate.
☑️ Disruption demands adaptability. The most resilient leaders are those who can respond to change while staying grounded in their mission.
☑️ Sustainability requires bold thinking. Building viable media organisations means constantly rethinking business models, products and audience relationships.

As the media landscape continues to transform, conversations like these provide valuable opportunities for current and emerging leaders to reflect on what effective leadership looks like in practice.

"The only prize you get for navigating change is more change," said Daily Maverick CEO Styli Charalambous to those gathered from media and technology at the fraymedia Foundation's Cape Town Rise & Shine Women in Media Breakfast Series.Charalambous was reflecting on 17 years of leading one of South A...

12/06/2026

The fraymedia Foundation’s Mentorship Booster Programme: Skills Development Seminars brought together leading experts, practitioners and entrepreneurs to explore and respond to the key question:

What does it take to move from being a skilled journalist, communicator or media entrepreneur to building a sustainable business?

Across three sessions held in March, April and May, participants engaged with practical lessons on building, growing and leading media and communications businesses.

Key themes explored throughout the series included:

🔹 Building the Business with Naadiya Moosajee — defining your niche, clarifying your value proposition and identifying viable business models.

🔹 Growing the Business with Pat Roberts and Mbali Nhlengethwa — attracting clients, developing multiple revenue streams, strengthening partnerships and building compliance and credibility.

🔹 Leading the Business with Mac TinaShe Makwande — finding sustainable business models, scaling and pricing effectively, navigating uncertainty and building influence within the media ecosystem.

Hosted by Paula Fray and Bongiwe Tutu, the programme was designed to support early-stage women media and communications entrepreneurs in moving from passion and talent to long-term sustainability.

As the fraymedia Foundation continues its work to strengthen women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and business development across Africa, these seminar recordings remain a valuable resource for anyone building a media, journalism or communications venture.

⏯️ Hover your mouse over the video play pointer icons in the document below to watch the full Seminar videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/

ℹ️ See more the full reports, 10 Key Lesson summaries and all seminar Video recordings on the comprehensive website post here: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/resources-mentorship-booster-programme-skills-development-seminar-videos

🌐 Subscribe to and read the fraymedia Foundation Monthly Newsletter to learn more about this and other initiatives, resources, and opportunities: https://mailchi.mp/30f4460f25e4/rncn0lu9a1-11048265

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

What happens when women are given the space, support and opportunity to grow as leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers?

The fraymedia Foundation Stories of Change highlight the journeys of women who are building businesses, strengthening communities, advancing their careers and creating meaningful impact across the media and communications landscape. Their stories demonstrate that leadership is not only about personal success, that it is about opening doors, amplifying voices and creating opportunities for others.

Across different sectors and countries, these women reflect the power of mentorship, skills development, networks and determination in helping transform ideas into action and purpose into impact.

Some of the key themes emerging from their stories include:

🔹 The importance of investing in women’s leadership and entrepreneurship
🔹 Building sustainable businesses that create social impact
🔹 The value of mentorship, learning and professional networks
🔹 Strengthening representation and visibility in media and communications
🔹 Turning challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation

As the fraymedia Foundation continues its work across Africa, these stories serve as a reminder that lasting change is often driven by women who are committed to shaping a more inclusive, representative and sustainable future.

✨ Our recent changemakers include Sibongile Mabena, Anetta Mangxaba, Mutshidzi Portia Munyai, and Nontobeko Mtshali. Join us in celebrating their milestones!

ℹ️ Read the full features and be inspired by the women leading change across the continent: https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/stories-of-change-powerful-stories-of-women-who-are-shaping-the-future-of-media-and-business

📌 Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter for updates on our initiatives, upcoming opportunities and resources: https://mailchi.mp/30f4460f25e4/rncn0lu9a1-11048265

20/05/2026

A last chance to get your business questions in!

📅Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
🕰️Time: 10h00 - 11h30 am SAST
📌Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p2g1usXnTVK4xxcFT2Tl9A

JOIN US on the final session of the fraymedia Foundation Mentorship Booster Programme Skills Development Seminar Series that will feature TinaShe Makwande, entrepreneur, strategist and business development specialist, in a practical engagement focused on strengthening, scaling and sustaining growing businesses.

This concluding session creates space for honest conversation, practical guidance and real-time engagement around the challenges many entrepreneurs, freelancers, media professionals and small business owners are navigating daily.

Participants are encouraged to bring their business questions, reflections and operational challenges into the discussion, making the session both interactive and solutions-oriented.

The Mentorship Booster Programme Skills Development Seminar Series, hosted by fraymedia Foundation CEO, Paula Fray has created an important platform for learning, mentorship and peer exchange, supporting participants with practical tools, professional development and business insights across the media and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ℹ️Read more about the programme and seminar series at:

https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/post/mentorship-booster-programme-skills-development-seminars

🔍Visit our website for more on our programmes, published articles and opportunities at:

https://www.fraymediafoundation.org/blog-1

🎯Register NOW: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p2g1usXnTVK4xxcFT2Tl9A