JOHANNESBURG – CENTRE for African Journalists (CAJ) News Africa, the Pan-Africa’s premier news agency has formalised relations with the Kenyan-based Radio Africa Group, paving way for a twinning deal between the two leading media houses.

The twinning initiative is the brainchild of the France-based World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) under its Strengthening Media and Society capacity building programme.

WAN-IFRA, the global organisation of the world’s publishers, represents more than 18 000 publications, 15 000 online sites and over 3 000 companies in more than 120 countries.

A team from the South African-headquartered CAJ News Africa has, as part of the plans, visited Kenya to kick-start the programme.

Mthulisi Sibanda (Africa Editor), Gift Ndolwane (Group Digital Editor), Themba Ndlovu (Group Head of Marketing and Advertising) and Thembakazi Taki (Events Coordinator) were part of the Kenya excursion.

Radio Africa director, William Pike, and Joseph Kariuki, Digital Editor of The Star, Radio Africa Group’s flagship, and other executives hosted the South African visitors.

CAJ News Africa Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Savious-Parker Kwinika, expresses excitement at yet another chapter signaling the growth of the news agency.

“Radio Africa Group is one of the fastest growing media houses in East Africa. Forging such a sound twinning relationship with them is quite exciting,” Kwinika says.

“As CAJ News Africa, we are indeed exalted and humbled by this media partnership considering CAJ News Africa is the continent’s widely appreciated Pan-African news agency.”

Kwinika is upbeat the partnership between the two ambitious media houses will boost the smooth flow of information across Africa.

“This is something that has been lacking for years in most parts of the continent. Sharing experiences, challenges, business innovation and technology in the media space is the way to go to ensure prosperity in the continent,” he adds.

Kwinika pledged CAJ News Africa’s readiness to work in collaboration with other media houses and stakeholders to enable the continent fulfill its potential.

“As we expand our footprint in the continent, we would love to ensure our relationships with fellow media houses are intact.”

A team from Radio Africa Group, a company that is a powerhouse in Kenya’s media space, is scheduled to embark on a reciprocal visit to South Africa on a similar exercise early next year.

– CAJ News