Qaanitah Hunter -Award-Winning Journalist, Author & Speaker

QAANITAH

HUNTER

Qaanitah Hunter is an award-winning political journalist and editor. She is a media industry leader in South Africa and a highly regarded commentator and columnist.

Qaanitah hosts conversations with power brokers and writes for international platforms. She is a highly regarded keynote speaker with a keen interest in politics, democracy and the African continent.

She is a best-selling author and co-authored the book Who Will Rule SA? Qaanitah received many awards, including the prestigious Nat Nakasa Award for bravery in 2019.

In 2023, she was an R. Murrow journalism leadership fellow in the US. She is a mental health and media freedom activist. She graduated with a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Witwatersrand.

Qaanitah is a distinguished journalist with over 13 years of experience in the field. Renowned for her incisive political writing and investigative work, she has earned numerous awards, solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in political analysis.

Qaanitah’s expertise extends covering big news events to crafting compelling features for international platforms, where her insights and analysis are highly regarded.

Her ability to distil complex political landscapes into engaging and informative narratives has made her a trusted source for readers worldwide. With a career marked by excellence and recognition, Qaanitah Hunter continues to be a significant influence in the world of political journalism.

She writes for News24 and Al Jazeera. She has worked for the Sunday Times, Mail & Guardian, Daily Maverick and EWN.

See her work on Seen TV South Africa here.

Find her columns on News24 here.

Find her articles on Al Jazeera English here.

Qaanitah is an acclaimed podcast host known for her engaging conversations with politicians and power brokers. With a unique and accessible style, Qaanitah has a knack for unravelling the intricacies of political discourse, making complex issues comprehensible to a wide audience.

Her podcasts are highly regarded in the industry, often setting the agenda and influencing public debate. Through her insightful and thought-provoking interviews, Qaanitah provides listeners with a deep understanding of the political landscape, solidifying her position as a leading voice in political commentary. You can listen to her 2024 election podcast Q&A here.

Qaanitah is a sought-after keynote speaker, renowned for delivering vibrant and insightful speeches to major companies and organisations. Her expertise extends across Africa, with a keen interest in politics and democracy.

Drawing on her extensive journalistic experience, Qaanitah addresses themes such as South Africa’s political landscape, the importance of democracy, and the crucial role of a vibrant media. She is also a vocal advocate for mental health, emphasising the need for mental health support within journalism.

Qaanitah’s compelling presentations have taken her to various African countries, including South Africa, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. She excels on panels and has shared the stage with many esteemed speakers and politicians, making her a prominent voice in political discourse and media advocacy. Book Qaanitah here.

Qaanitah is a dedicated mental health activist and the founder of Debrief the Media, an organisation providing vital mental health support for journalists.

Recognised for her outspoken advocacy, Qaanitah emphasises the critical need for mental health resources within the journalism industry.

Her impactful work is featured in a chapter of the academic book Women Journalists in South Africa (2022). Qaanitah has also spoken on numerous panels and international forums, highlighting how mental ill health poses a significant threat to media freedom.

Passionate about preemptive strategies, she focuses on creating systems to offer mental health support to journalists before crises arise. Through her activism, Qaanitah continues to champion mental well-being as an essential component of a free and vibrant media.

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Books

Who will Rule SA?

Flyleaf 2023

In this gripping and fast-paced account of the state of the nation, 30 years after South Africa became a democracy, award-winning journalists Adriaan Basson and Qaanitah Hunter forensically track the demise of the ANC, from Mandela to Ramaphosa, and the rise of a new political class that will determine the next phase of South Africa’s democracy.

Drawing on years of reporting from the front line, Basson and Hunter highlight how corruption and greed subsumed a liberation movement by turning a party of freedom fighters into one of villains. They track the ANC’s involvement in corruption and underhand dealings, from the arms deal to state capture to the dollars-in-the-sofa Phala Phala scandal.

Who Will Rule South Africa? is a must-read for everyone who cares about the country’s future.

Eight Days in July: Inside the Zuma Unrest That set South Africa Alight

NB 2021

In July 2021, with Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment, dramatic and violent scenes of unrest and looting unfolded in KZN and Gauteng. More than 340 people lost their lives, and the damage exceeded R50 billion.

Piecing together the full story, journalists Qaanitah Hunter, Jeff Wicks and Kaveel Singh sifted through hundreds of pages of leaked documents and intelligence briefs.

Eight Days in July is a riveting first-hand account of what really happened, reported from the epicentre of the chaos.

Balance of Power: Ramaphosa and the Future of South Africa

NB 2019

Qaanitah Hunter takes us into the heart of Cyril Ramaphosa’s rise to the ANC presidency, and the political balancing act he has had to maintain as president. Hunter shares fresh insights into Jacob Zuma’s removal as president and Ramaphosa’s ascendency. She takes us behind the scenes, and details Ramaphosa’s plans for South Africa, and his battles. This book seeks to contextualise what the current political climate could mean for both the ANC and the future of South Africa.

Diary of a Guji Girl

Wordflute 2014

All that a young Muslimah needs to survive campus life is her headscarf to stay in one place, the perfect lip colour and friends you can rely on. Oh, and WhatsApp messages that get replied on time. That is all. Amina is a first year student at the University of Johannesburg. Coming from small town Newcastle, this is the freedom that she has been waiting for all through high school. Between juggling the buzz in her head inspired by the super-cute, popular Moe in his sports car and the growing bond she shares with Sue, she is learning the tricks and trials of being out in the big world. Or is she? It really is a challenge. If it isn’t about family pressure to get married, and to watch that she isn’t gallivanting, then it’s the feeling of drowning in the crazy world of young people. Will Amina achieve her big Houghton dream? Or is she destined for betrayal? Follow Amina’s private thoughts as she stumbles through university, her flirtation with the infamous ‘samoosa run’, fights off loneliness and encounters guys with cracked heels, balding patches and hanging tummies.