The tranquil Olifants River and the bushveld humming in the background set the scene for 92 local media journalists and editors who gathered at Olifants River Lodge in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, for the 2025 No Guts, No Glory seminar last week.

The Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) hosted its annual gathering on September 11 and 12, bringing together reporters and editors from Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga for two days of learning and inspiration.

The seminar, free to FCJ members thanks to support from Avbob, Caxton Local Media, Novus and Columbus Stainless, has become a cornerstone event for the local press.

Olifants River Lodge hosted the seminar before Covid-19 and has done so every year since, offering the serenity of the bushveld alongside modern facilities in what its founder, upon first seeing the view in 1985, called ‘God’s Valley’.

The name ‘No Guts, No Glory’ has its roots in the seminar’s early years. During the second FCJ seminar in 1995, Frans Aucamp coined the phrase ‘no guts, no story, no glory’ to motivate journalists to pursue difficult stories – a slogan that has since defined the spirit of the event.

The programme began on Thursday evening with veteran journalist Wessel Oosthuizen (82), who captivated the audience with stories from his six decades in journalism. His talk set the tone for the rest of the seminar, which blended professional wisdom with camaraderie.

On Friday, Phathiswa Magopeni, the executive director of the Press Council of South Africa, delivered insights into the importance of the Press Code, ethical journalism and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in reporting.

In her talk, former Press Council executive director Latiefa Mobara reminded delegates that credibility and trust remain a journalist’s greatest assets.

Photographer Johan Orton’s session, Chasing the Light, combined striking images with practical guidance on visual storytelling. Adv Gerrie Nel from AfriForum gave a hard-hitting talk, The collapsed criminal justice system: The role of community press, urging journalists to hold authorities accountable.

Closing the line-up, political commentator Mike Masina presented Eyes on 2026, highlighting the critical role local newspapers will play during the upcoming municipal elections by ensuring communities have access to accurate, reliable information.

A tradition of impact

The FCJ seminar is about more than keynote addresses. It is a platform to reaffirm ethical reporting, equip journalists with tools of the trade and strengthen the voice of local media.

“Community journalists are the frontline defenders of democracy,” says FCJ Gauteng deputy executive director, Marietta Lombard. “Through initiatives such as No Guts, No Glory, we empower our members to keep telling the stories that matter, even in the face of growing challenges.”

As the 2025 edition drew to a close, delegates left Middelburg inspired – reminded both of the courage it takes to uncover stories that matter and the vital role they play in their communities.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.