Times Media has announced that Daily Dispatch Editor Bongani Siqoko has been appointed editor of the Sunday Times. Bongani will replace Phylicia Oppelt who has accepted a senior position within the group as General Manager, Editorial Projects. She will be involved in Times Media’s exciting Innovation Project to redesign their newspapers as well as prepare them for a digital first environment, among other key initiatives.
Bongani is currently the editor of the East London-based award-winning Daily Dispatch, Saturday Dispatch and DispatchLive. He has been with the Daily Dispatch since November 2004 having held many positions at the newspaper: news editor, managing editor, and deputy editor prior to his appointment as editor in June 2013.
He holds an MA in International Journalism from City University London, United Kingdom.
We are confident that Bongani will succeed in his new position. He has proved an exceptional editor and leader at the Dispatch and will bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to his new role, especially as the Sunday Times embarks on a new journey with a fresh design and a new multi-platform future,
said Managing Director Andy Gill
We are delighted that Phylicia will remain in the group and help drive the exciting changes we are implementing across the titles,
said Andrew Bonamour, Times Media CEO.
Times Media’s Innovation Project kicked off in September and involves various levels of change within the business, chiefly aimed at rejuvenating the design and content of its newspapers and introducing a digital first philosophy on the editorial floor. It includes a market leading new editorial system that works across all platforms, and the integration of certain key functions to focus on digital and improve content. Times Media is also moving to new premises that will include a world class newsroom that will help ensure its products continue to lead in the markets they serve.
Bongani will start on 11 January 2016. Deputy Editor Sthembiso Msomi will be acting editor with immediate effect.Brett Horner will be acting editor of the Daily Dispatch, with the new editor being announced in due course.
The Times Media Annual Recruitment Awards (AMARAs), recognised top employment recruiters and HR practitioners for their contribution to South African business this past Saturday. With an eventful 2015 finally winding down, guests were treated to an evening of laughs and carnival fanfare by comedian Barry Hilton, who was MC for the night. The award ceremony was hosted by Times Media General Manager for Group Sales & Marketing, Trevor Ormerod, and his recruitment sales team - led by National Sales Manager Yusuf Patel and Business Manager Anna Marie Mahri.
Now in its sixth successful year, and supported by the 25 year heritage of Sunday Times Careers Awards - the AMARAs have consistently achieved the goal of recognising talented individuals in the recruitment industry for their ongoing commitment to finding the perfect match between employers and employees for companies across the board. Last year, the methodology of the AMARAs was further fine tuned by Times Media to ensure that the awards remain the key industry awards for the HR and Recruitment sector.
Trevor Ormerod stated his appreciation for the support the sector has given to Times Media over the years, and noted that the industry had found that print was still the most respected environment for recruitment advertising. “In line with ensuring a quality and enduring environment, Times Media is currently implementing innovations in all its newspaper and digital platforms. We welcome the creativity shown by the industry to keep recruitment advertising fresh and powerful, attracting the right calibre of candidate in an increasingly competitive job market”
Winners for the 2015 AMARA Awards are as follows:
Congratulations to all the nominees for 2015. Special congratulations to the award winners. Clients and job seekers alike benefit from their service excellence and commitment to the best placement practices.
