The editor of Business Day has resigned. No reasons were given for Songezo Zibi’s resignation but in a statement, Times Media said he would continue to write his ‘Unembargoed’ column for Business Day and would also write a column for the Sunday Times.
“It has been an honour for me to lead the Business Day. I particularly thank my colleagues in the newsroom whose dedication and counsel enabled us to produce a newspaper and website we all could be proud of. I am also thankful to TMG for giving me this opportunity and wish whoever takes over the Business Day all the best in the future,” Zibi said.
Andy Gill, managing director of Times Media, thanked Zibi for his “significant contribution” to Business Day.
“We are sad to lose Songezo on a day to day basis, but are delighted he will still be writing columns for the group. We wish him well in his future plans,” said Gill. “We will miss his great intellect and thank him for his significant contribution to Business Day and Times Media as a whole.”
Zibi, who came from a financial public relations background, was appointed editor in 2014. He was noted in The Media magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 list of 2014 as one of South Africa’s top young media talents. (See the lists part one and part two.)
“He writes and thinks with flair and has developed a strong following in almost no time at all. I have no doubt he will be a major figure in journalism for years to come,” Tim Cohen, editor of the Financial Mail, told The Media. He said Zibi has established himself as an “influential, independent and creative public voice on local affairs”.
There have been a few major moves of editor’s in Times Media stable recently. Phylicia Oppelt resigned as editor of the Sunday Times, and took up the position ofgeneral manager of editorial projects. Daily Dispatch editor, Bongani Siqoko, was appointed editor. The Herald’s editor, Heather Robertson, resigned but will still consult to the group’s Port Elizabeth titles.
Times Media said new editors would soon be announced for Business Day, the Daily Dispatch as well as The Herald and Weekend Post in PE.
