Sophie Mokoena stands as one of South Africa’s most seasoned and influential journalists, whose career has spanned over three decades at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Her journey reflects not only the evolution of South African media post-apartheid but also the complex challenges faced by journalists navigating political and institutional pressures.
Career Timeline
Sophie Mokoena joined the SABC shortly after South Africa’s first democratic elections. She began her career as a reporter and presenter of current affairs, anchoring the program SiSuthu Stereo on Lesedi FM, then based in Johannesburg.
When Lesedi FM relocated to Bloemfontein, Mokoena moved with the station and transitioned into a reporter role.
She later relocated to Cape Town to join the SABC’s Political Affairs team, marking a significant step into political journalism.
A controversial period in her career saw her removed from the political team just before the African National Congress (ANC) elective conference in Mangaung. Despite her role as senior political reporter and coordinator of the political team, she was sidelined without clear explanation, leading to a period of uncertainty and leave.
Mokoena then shifted focus to international journalism, rising to become the Senior Foreign Editor and later the International News Editor for SABC, overseeing coverage across Africa’s 52 countries.
She faced allegations related to irregular expenditure involving a foreign news agency (Features Story News – FSN), accused of assigning stories without a contract, leading to charges of negligence and failure to follow procurement processes. Supporters argued she acted under difficult circumstances given expired contracts with other agencies.
In a separate incident, she publicly apologized for retweeting a fake news article that falsely implicated fellow journalists (the “SABC8”) in corruption linked to Bosasa, a controversial company. This apology was made during a South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) meeting, reflecting her accountability and the complex media environment she operates in.
Mokoena continues to serve as SABC’s International News Editor, regularly providing updates on global affairs and participating in high-profile interviews and discussions, including coverage of COVID-19 and South Africa-US relations.
Notable Stories and Coverage
Early in her career, Mokoena was deeply involved in covering South Africa’s political landscape, including the ANC’s internal dynamics and national elections.
As International News Editor, she has led coverage of major continental and global events, including political upheavals, health crises like COVID-19, and corruption scandals across Africa.
Her career has also been marked by controversies, including the irregular expenditure saga and an incident where she was charged for allegedly badmouthing the SABC on rival Talk Radio 702 during a strike, highlighting the often turbulent nature of her work.
Controversies in Detail
Mokoena faced charges for irregular expenditure related to contracting FSN without a formal agreement. Critics argued this was a breach of procurement rules, while defenders noted the expiration of contracts with major international agencies left her with limited options.
During a strike at SABC, she allegedly called the rival station under a pseudonym to express critical views about the broadcaster, leading to charges of bringing SABC into disrepute and breaching employment contracts.
She publicly apologized for sharing a false story accusing the SABC8 journalists of being paid by Bosasa, a claim that was later debunked. This episode underscored the challenges of misinformation and internal tensions within the SABC newsroom.
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Sophie Mokoena’s family life, including details about her husband, siblings, or children, is limited. She maintains a professional profile focused on her journalistic work. This discretion is common among journalists who often separate their private lives from their public roles.
Legacy and Impact
Sophie Mokoena’s career mirrors the trajectory of South African journalism through democracy’s formative years—marked by hope, political turbulence, institutional challenges, and the fight for editorial independence. Her rise to International News Editor at the continent’s largest broadcaster is testament to her resilience and dedication.
While controversies have punctuated her journey, Mokoena remains a respected voice in African journalism, known for her incisive reporting and leadership in international news coverage. Her story is one of navigating complex political landscapes while striving to uphold journalistic integrity in the face of adversity.
