By Sipho Tshabalala
Karyn Maughan’s recent book launch I Will Not Be Silenced was a stage set for her to bolster her image as a fearless journalist and victim of political persecution. However, the evening took an unexpected turn when the voices of her critics, particularly a young orphaned Black woman, shattered the carefully curated narrative.
What was meant to be a triumphant celebration of Maughan’s career instead became a glaring exposure of the power dynamics that shape South Africa’s media and political landscapes.
A Voice Silenced by Power
“You have a platform, a voice,” the young woman said, trembling with emotion. “I don’t. Your reporting ruined my life.”
The orphan, visibly shaken, recounted how Maughan’s articles had tarnished her reputation, leaving her ostracised and hopeless. “I am an orphan,” she continued, her voice cracking with pain. “I have no one to protect me, no resources to fight back. I thought about ending my life because of the things you wrote about me.”
Maughan, after listening to the young woman’s emotional plea, responded calmly: “If you’ve been cleared of any allegations, I would gladly rectify my mistake.”
In that moment, the room filled with mostly South Africa’s white elite was forced to confront the real victim—not Maughan, who enjoys institutional support, bodyguards, and a platform to defend herself, but a powerless young woman whose life had been destroyed by reckless reporting. The orphan’s testimony laid bare the devastating consequences of Maughan’s influence, exposing a journalist who claims victimhood while leaving a trail of devastation in her wake.
A Room of Coordinated Power
The orphan’s voice may have been the most powerful moment of the evening, but it was drowned in a room filled with South Africa’s elite powerbrokers. Figures like Qubudile Richard Dyantyi, the former ANC MP who chaired the impeachment of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and Judge President John Hlophe, attended, eagerly queuing for Maughan’s signature. His presence alongside DA MP Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, known for her relentless pursuit of Jacob Zuma and his allies, symbolised the alliances that blur the lines between media, politics, and the judiciary.
Then there was Advocate Billy Downer SC, who for over 20 years has led the legal pursuit of Zuma. Downer delivered glowing praise for Maughan, lauding her resilience in the face of private prosecution. His remarks underscored the privileges Maughan enjoys as a journalist deeply entrenched in South Africa’s legal and political networks, including the bodyguards News24 provided during their case.
The presence of such figures paints a clear picture of the interwoven relationships between media and power. This was not just a book launch; it was a gathering of those who share a vested interest in shaping South Africa’s public discourse.
Maughan’s book frames her as a victim, a journalist under siege by forces opposed to transparency and accountability. But the night’s events told a different story. Maughan is no victim. She is a journalist whose reporting has wielded immense power, often at the expense of those she writes about.
Her co-author, Kirsten Pearson, for the book titled Nuclear: Inside South Africa’s Secret Deal, was also present. Whilst the book positions itself as a critique of corruption, it fits neatly into a larger narrative aimed at discrediting Zuma and his allies. The one-sided portrayal reveals how Maughan’s work often toes a predetermined political line.
Maughan’s power is not in her resilience but in her ability to shape public opinion. While she claims to challenge the powerful, her work often targets the powerless, as the orphan’s testimony revealed.
Even during the launch, Maughan couldn’t resist veering into political commentary. Her remarks about the MK Party, stating that it “won’t last”, betrayed her partisan leanings and highlighted how her journalism serves as an extension of South Africa’s political battles.
Her commentary on figures like Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma and Minister Gayton McKenzie further underscored her agenda. Whether painting Zuma’s allies as threats to democracy or pushing narratives that align with institutional interests, Maughan’s work often resembles a political campaign more than independent journalism.
As the applause for Maughan filled the room, the orphan’s words lingered—a haunting reminder of the human cost of unchecked media influence. The young woman’s testimony laid bare the stark inequality between Maughan and those reporting her impacts.
Maughan may not be silenced, but the real victims—those left powerless in the wake of her narratives—are. The orphan’s story is not just a critique of Maughan but a damning indictment of a media system that elevates individuals like her while ignoring the lives they damage.
Karyn Maughan may claim to be a champion of the truth, but the truth that night was clear: her voice has silenced far too many others.
* Sipho Tshabalala is an independent writer, commentator and political analyst.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.