Nwabisa Makunga

Nwabisa Makunga is the Managing Director for News and Media at Arena Holdings; one of South Africa’s largest publishers. Makunga oversees the strategic management of publications such as the Sunday Times, Business Day, Sowetan and Financial Mail.  She has 20 years experience as a journalist and Editor, with work largely focused on local government, politics and economic development. 

Makunga is the former Chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum, a body of editors, academics and media practitioners who advocate for Media Freedom in Southern Africa. In Sanef, Makunga led the organisations’ founding of a Journalism Sustainability Fund to safeguard public interest journalism. She is the former member of the South African Press Council board, SA’s media regulatory body to ensure ethical journalism. Makunga is also a member of the World Editors Forum and a fellow of Africa Leadership Initiative