The New South Institute (NSI), in partnership with the Henry Nxumalo Foundation (HNF), invites journalists to submit proposals for investigative and in-depth reporting on South Africa’s public service.

This call forms part of NSI’s established Journalist-in-Residence programme, which supports journalism that contributes to public understanding of issues central to democracy and public institutions. This year, the programme is being undertaken in partnership with HNF, with a focus on the South African public service and the implications of recent legislative reform.

The new Public Service Amendment Act, signed into law in March 2026, addresses a long-standing problem in South Africa’s state administration: the blurred line between elected political leadership and the professional public service. The Act seeks to draw a clearer distinction between those responsible for deciding what government should do, and those entrusted with determining how those decisions should be implemented.

As NSI has noted, the Act begins to correct an important design flaw. It does not, on its own, resolve the challenges facing the public service. Merit must still be protected in practice, institutions must still be rebuilt, and the Act must still be brought into operation and defended through implementation. However, it provides a firmer legal basis for a professional public service.

This raises a set of important questions for public-interest journalism. Does the Act address the causes and effects of state capture? Can it contribute to repairing institutional damage? Will it support the development of a stable, professional public service? What will it mean for the functioning of the state, for public servants, and for the public?

HNF and NSI are offering grants to journalists to investigate issues, problems and possible solutions within South Africa’s public service, with the aim of increasing public awareness and understanding.

Grants of R30,000 are available for up to two journalists. Individual journalists, teams of journalists, and teams including data specialists may apply. The work may be published or broadcast in any medium.

HNF favours work that is in the public interest, seeks to reveal new information, is investigative and in-depth in approach, and uses innovative methods, techniques or tools. Grant decisions will be made by an independent panel of experts and will be treated confidentially. HNF will provide editing and publication support.

Applicants should submit:

• a short proposal of no more than two pages;
• a CV;
• a budget; and
• where possible, an expression of interest from a publisher.

The proposal should explain what the applicant intends to show, how the reporting will be undertaken, and how the work will seek to have impact.

Applications must be submitted through the pitch form.

Closing date: 15 June 2026.