Bulletin Editor (isiXhosa & English, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape) at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Main Purpose of Position:

• To lead, guide and provide editorial direction to the isiXhosa and English Audio / Radio production team to deliver compelling and incisive news bulletins and content in accordance with SABC News and Current Affairs’ editorial objectives and the public mandate.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead the Xhosa and English-speaking team in identifying, selecting and translating stories and in compiling rundowns / running orders in accordance with SABC News and Current Affairs’ editorial objectives and the public mandate.
• Lead effective and creative brainstorming sessions to determine content breadth and quality.
• Work within tight deadlines to identify news stories appropriate for the target audience.
• Manage and direct staff to write, translate, voice, record, edit, produce and process news stories timeously.
• Ensure the overall quality and accuracy of news content, language context, style, and tone.
• Advise on the best stories to lead news bulletins and update stories as new information becomes available.
• Keep up to date with all SABC News teams on the latest developments.
• Ensure a balance in news bulletin stories and address gaps as soon as possible.
• Supervise the performance of the team and give constructive feedback on stories, content and bulletins delivered timeously.
• Continually communicate with relevant editors to find further newsworthy angles and follow-ups.
• Liaise with technical support, where necessary, regarding the specific delivery of news content and bulletins.
• Assist bulletin Writers / Readers with accurate news reading delivery and pronunciation.
• Write, translate and read (present) bulletins, whenever necessary.
• Optimise news impact with illustrative audiovisuals and appropriately contextualised scripts, including for digital / online / social media.
• Engage in, co-ordinate and check online / digital / social media activity and content to enhance bulletins.
• Submit daily end-of-shift production reports to the line manager/s and indicate problems requiring attention, including solutions.
• Process all leave applications timeously after checking impact on rosters / shifts and required ICASA / radio station output.
• Compile monthly roster and ensure adequate and appropriate staffing.
• Communicate with platforms, only following consultation, on approved structural changes, including time slots and bulletin durations.
• Lead productive and creative editorial team sessions to determine appropriateness of editorial content for bulletins.
• Ensure that news content meets the highest editorial and linguistic standards as per the SABC Editorial Policy.
• Be alert to any content that may require audience advisories, warnings and disclaimers and ensure that these are read prominently prior to airing the story concerned.
• Implement the SABC’s Performance Management System in accordance with policy, procedures and deadlines.
• Adhere to South Africa’s Constitution, all legislation, ICASA’s licence conditions and regulations, the BCCSA and Press Council codes and rulings, the SABC Editorial Policies, SABC News style guide and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Requirements:

• National diploma / bachelor’s degree in journalism, media studies, communication or relevant equivalent qualifications.
• 6 years’ proven experience in the journalism, editorial, writing and broadcasting environment, two of which must be in a supervisory capacity.
• isiXhosa and English proficiency and fluency, including exceptional writing, translation, reading / presenting and speaking skills.
• Exceptional journalistic and editorial acumen.
• Extensive knowledge of the relevant systems and broadcasting operations.
• Knowledge and understanding of audio / radio and digital news production processes.
• Ability to work under pressure and perform outstandingly to tight deadlines.
• Understanding of all legislation, regulations and policies impacting broadcasting, publishing and posting.\

Deadline:26th February, 2026