Reporter Slam Africa 2026

On Friday, 13 March 2026, Kampala hosted our third edition of Reporter Slam Africa, bringing together outstanding journalists from across Sub‑Saharan Africa. The event showcased the power of storytelling in a dynamic, entertaining, and accessible format - demonstrating how journalism can inform, engage, and inspire across borders.

Five accomplished journalists from different African countries took to the stage to present compelling, creative, and deeply personal stories to an enthusiastic audience in Kampala and online. Koena Mashale (South Africa) emerged as the audience’s favourite and was crowned Reporter Slam Africa Champion 2026. Representing the Sowetan, Mashale delivered a sharply observed and humour‑filled exploration of Johannesburg’s water crisis. Her performance combined rigorous reporting with wit and energy, transforming a complex public issue into a memorable storytelling experience.

We congratulate all participating journalists for their originality, courage, and narrative skill. Each brought a unique perspective and enriched the evening with depth, humour, and heart:

• Betty Gatwiri Njeru (Kenya)
• Kwaku Krobea Asante (Ghana)
• Philip Etaba Obaji (Nigeria)
• Divine Nalwanga (Uganda)
• And the Winner Koena Mashale (South Africa)

We extend our appreciation to Jochen Markett, founder of Reporter Slam, for guiding the evening with his trademark warmth, insight, and humour.

Our special thanks go to our cooperation partner, the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI) Kampala, whose support and collaboration were instrumental in bringing this vibrant celebration of live journalism to a Ugandan stage.

If you missed the live show, you can watch the full recording of Reporter Slam Africa 2026 here:

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/live/8fcHjURtcms