Ferial Haffajee is a South African editor and journalist. She is currently editor-at-large, Huffington Post SA and also editor of the African National Centers for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR) and is a researcher at the Public Affairs Research Institute.
Previously, Ferial was editor-in-chief at the Mail and Guardian and City Press. She is a regular analyst and commentator on radio, television and elsewhere.
Ferial is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and a member of the Africa Leadership Institute fellowship. She has won numerous awards for journalism and for her support of media freedom.
Born to clothing workers Ahmed and Ayesha Haffajee, she grew up in a disadvantaged area in Bosmont, Johannesburg. She grew up with two older brothers who she says were her “first political building blocks”. She matriculated from Bosmont High School and went on to study Law at Witwatersrand University as per her mother’s request.
However Ferial Haffajee ended up studying English and African Literature and graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During her tenure as Editor at the Mail and Guardian, she worked with her husband Paul Stober, who was her Deputy Editor. She lists reading, meditation and travelling as her most valued recreational activities.
Career information
After graduation she worked at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at Wits but left to work for the Weekly Mail as a trainee journalist. Assistant editor Barbara Ludman was an important early mentor. Ludman remembers: “My first impression was Ferial’s intelligence – she was one of the brightest people ever to come through the training programme.
Ferial Haffajee was interested in everything and learned quickly.” After two years of working at the Weekly Mail, Ferial turned to broadcast journalism and ended up at the SABC in 1991. In 1994, she joined the Financial Mail of which she was eventually appointed the Managing Editor in 2002.
Then in 2003, Ferial Haffajee was appointed Associated Editor of the Mail and Guardian and eventually became Editor in 2004. As a result of this Ferial was the first female editor of a major newspaper in South Africa. After five successful years at the helm, she resigned in 2009 to become the editor of the City Press.
Recognitions and awards
Of the many accolades she has received, one of her first awards was the Sanlam Econ Reporting in 2001. Her biggest to date was the Top Woman in Media award from MTN & The Media Magazine in 2006 as well as being a Mondi Mag Award Finalist in 2001 and a Sanlam Econ Reporting Finalist in 2002. One of her notable achievements was that readership increased to 500 000, an astounding number by any covetable standards. Haffajee is also the co-author of Little Black Book of professionals 2001, 2002 and a contributor to the work Redefining Politics-South African women & democracy.
Other professional activities
Ferial Haffajee is a regular columnist for 7 Deadly Spins; E-everything which is a Business 2.0 – Magazine. She is the Chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum and is a member of the Media Institute of South Africa. Haffajee is also a member of Health-e and Inter Press Service-Africa and a freelancer for the New Internationalist & the ACP-EU Courier-International Mags. Amongst all of this, she is also a judge on the Mondi magazine awards panel. Ferial Haffajee was also a board member of World Editors Forum, Gender Links and the International Women’s Media Foundation. She was also appointed the Black Management Forum regional leader for 2004.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Virtual speaking appearances can indeed offer cost savings compared to in-person events. Virtual speaking rates are often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates due to factors such as reduced travel expenses and logistics. This makes virtual events a cost-effective alternative for organizations looking to book speakers within a budget.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
Leanne Manas is a household name in South African broadcasting, renowned for her role as the anchor of Morning Live, the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s flagship morning show. With a career that spans over two decades, she has garnered widespread respect for her eloquence, professionalism, and unflappable demeanor in front of the camera. Her ability […]
William M Gumede is Associate Professor, Public and Development Management and former Convener, Political Economy, School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; and Professor, Management, Elsenburg, Stellenbosch. He is a multiple no. 1 bestselling, award-winning South African author. He is the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Democracy Works Foundation, the Founder of the Institute […]
Judith February is a lawyer, governance specialist and columnist. She is based at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) as a Senior Research Associate and is a Visiting Fellow at the WITS School of Governance. Prior to that she was executive director of the Human Sciences Research Council’s Democracy and Governance unit and also head […]
Tim Cohen, a seasoned business editor and journalist, has profoundly shaped South Africa’s economic reporting landscape with his incisive analysis and commitment to truth. Before joining the highly respected Daily Maverick as Business Editor, Cohen served as the editor of Business Day, one of South Africa’s premier financial newspapers. His career began on the pages […]
Karyn Maughan is a senior legal journalist at News24, documentary producer and bestselling author. She appears on SABC, Newzroom Afrika and eNCA. She is a BBC contributor. She was the associate producer on aN Amazon Prime Documentary on Oscar Pistorius. The four-part series, called “Pistorius” and was shortlisted for the prestigious Grierson award. She also […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
