MINUTES THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2022
WITS UNIVERSITY
FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 @ 13:30
CHAIRS:
President: Prof Tanja Bosch
Deputy President: Prof Mehita Iqani
MEMBERS PRESENT:
+ 35 members
EXCO MEMBERS:
Collen Chambwera
Alexia Smit
Annelize Vermeulen
Sisanda Nkoala
Apologies: Carol Lesame
AGENDA
1. HOUSEKEEPING 1.1 Opening and welcome
1.2 Confirmation of the agenda
1.3 Matters arising from the previous AGM 1.3.1 Auditing of SACOMM’s finances
1.3.2 Registration of SACOMM as NPO
The President opened the meeting and welcomed everyone present. All present were thanked for their attendance and contributions to the SACOMM conference.
The proposed agenda was confirmed by all present.
Qualified auditors were appointed and assisted with the auditing of SACOMM bank statements and finances from 2015 up to June 2022. SACOMM will continue to have all finances audited annually.
The auditors assisted and advised on the matter of formally registering SACOMM. The advise is that it is not feasible and worth all the paper work, administration and cost to become a formally registered organisation. Thus SACOMM will stay as it currently is: a non-profit voluntary association. 2
1.3.3 Changes to constitution
1.3.4 Registration for TAX exemption and no payment for VAT
A need to update the constitution has been an ongoing discussion. The constitution provide guidance to the new incoming exco and on how to run and manage the organization. A few amendments have been made and accepted.
The Memorandum Of Understanding is an addendum to the constitution. It is a contract between the LOC of the conference and SACOMM. The MOU serve to assist and guide the host instution on the presenting of the annual conference.
Auditors advise that SACOMM need not to register for payment of VAT as the income is way below the annual threshold and with no surplus. Auditors to provide a formal letter in this regard.
Auditors will assist SACOMM to formally apply for TAX exemption based on the low revenue.
2. INTEREST GROUP FEEDBACK 2.1 Media studies and journalism
Carol Lesame
1. BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
The prominent developments in this group are invitations to contributing Chapters to books that are being written. There are three books noted since February 2022 and these are:
(1) Media in Africa: Theory, Critique and Industry, edited by Toks D Oyedemi (UL) and Réne A Smith. The call is out and Colleagues can send their contributions to the Editors.
(2) Digital media, innovation and society in Southern Africa – this is edited by Carol Lesame (UL & UNISA) and William Heuva (NWU). The e-mail invitation was sent in February 2022 but we missed publishing it via SACOMM. It is not late to do so.
(3) Social mediated gender performances and representations: Popular culture, politics and everyday citizenship in Africa, edited by Shepherd Mpofu (UL) and Kealeboga Aiseng (RU)
3
2. CONFERENCE REPORT AND OTHER NEW PUBLICATIONS 2.2 Screen studies
2.3 Strategic communication
2.4 Communication studies
SACOMM Conference held at Wits University on 14 – 16 September 2022
UNRAVELLING BIG TECH: POWER AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH
This conference was a success with several Media Studies and Journalism papers and other presentations and discussion fora delivered and held. These presentations can be found in the conference programme. One publication launch was also held.
Other new book information and discussions:
Decolonising Journalism Education in South Africa: Critical Perspectives – Review Chaired by Prof J Reid and discussed by Prof G Daniels (Wits), Dr T Isaacs de Vega (RU), Prof A Mare (UJ) and Prof B Mutsvairo (Ultrecht University)
Publication Launch by Unisa: UNISA COMMUNICATION REVIEW (Prof S Tyali and Dr H Marx).
African journalism education re-imagined: reflections on post-Covid pedagogies and curricula – Three Co-Editors (Dr Nkoala, Prof Lesame & Prof Gibson) – Call for Papers to be released soon.
Journalism Education Colloquium – Arranged by Rhodes University (Collin Nass). This Colloquium will be broadcast on Television and the date will be announced soon.
Media Studies Colleagues continue to produce publications in different publications. These can be found in Journals.
Collen Chambwera
Screening of local films are planned. Virtual platforms need to be established.
Alexia Smit
Strategic communication is the official name of the stream (previously corporate communication). This stream emerges from corporate communication and is an exreme wide and open field. It includes influencers, followers, branding, and much more. Requests to join in the stream was received from members. All are welcome to join in the working.
Eilzah Govender
This stream was involved in the ICA regional hub conference and books were launched. 4
2.5 Communications advocacy and activism
2.6 Communication education and curriculum development
Vuyo Seti-Sonamzi
Apology received.
Sisanda Nkoala
This stream is about what we teach. Five initiatives were implemented:
- • Special edition on African journalism studies
This is about education in journalism and the theoretical perspective
- • Collaboration with the press council
The press council was encouraged to invest in providing research support, scholars are urged to get involved and start funding projects. This is about co-regulation, convergence, on-line publishing
- • Roundtable with Sanef
Emerging scholars/students are to collaborate and research with Sanef and become associate members.
- • Teaching of visual communication in research
This is about teaching teachers and to develop courses on how to teach visually and on-line.
- • AJEN – African Journalism Education Network 2.7 Emerging scholars
In collaboration with Franz Kruger, this is about journalism educators across the continent, to develop textbooks and for education in the fields and journalism industry.
Mgobeni Msimango & Sylvia Skhosana
Apology received.
3. THE RUNNING OF SACOMM 3.1 2023 Host bid and affirmation
AFDA Johannesburg – Francois Smit & Collen Chambwera
4. Any other business 4.1 Additional interest groups
The idea of introduction another stream/interest group was discussed. Themes such as the history of journalism, development of the media, media history and curriculum, literature and scholarship were mentioned. These fields can network with other groups and need not form a stream/interest group of their own. The names of the current seven interest groups are wide enough to include many other fields.
It was proposed that each interest group provide a proper description of their group and what the group encompass and stand for. 5
4.2 Sign up for the Communication Review
4.3 Pronouns at conference
4.4 Use of plastic at conference
4.5 Posting on listserve and managing of the website
4.6 Emerging scholars presentations at the conference
An online Communication Review project was launched by the Department of Communication Science Unisa. All SACOMM members were urged to visit the site and subscribe – Prof Julie Reid.
Communication Review.com
The importance of the correct pronouns to appear on all name tags at conferences were emphasized and should be focused on.
Overuse or waste of plastics at conferences should be considered. Greener alternatvies should be utilized.
Adherence to privacy policies, management of cookies and terms of service should be incorporated into the SACOMM website. This is a requirement according to the POPIA act.
Prof the President, Tanja Bosch:
I also wanted to commend the LoC on the inclusion of emerging scholars in the mainstream conference programme. There were quite a few MA and PhD students scattered throughout the programme and their work was of a high standard. I think this inclusive approach really added a lot of value.
Regards
Tanja
5. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 14: 30.
Chairperson: Prof T Bosch