15
years of Daily Maverick
On 30 October 2009, a single sentence was sent into the Twittersphere:
The determination to launch a daily news and opinion website with original content and a burning ambition to redefine the space seemed a fool’s errand to many.
In reality, starting it was the easy part. “Anyone can launch a publication like this,” says Branko. “Keeping it alive for 10 years? Not so much.”
What it would take, however, was a decade’s struggle – in the manner of Odysseus (a long and eventful journey), Sisyphus (never-ending pain), and Hercules (fighting demons and cleaning up giant piles of shit).
And now we are turning 15.
In the words of Rebecca Davis, “that’s 15 years of free, fact-based, independent journalism, and whatever we call what Richard Poplak does”.
Daily Maverick's story up to 2019
Madiba, Marikana, Zuma, the rise of the EFF, the climate crisis, #GuptaLeaks, Daily Maverick covered it all. We Have A Game Changer, A Decade of Daily Maverick tells the story behind the stories of a defining decade in South Africa’s history. Packed with Zapiro cartoons, video linked interviews with your favourite Daily Maverick journalists and some laugh-out-loud anecdotes, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like to work on the frontlines of history.
Starring
It takes all kinds to keep a ship like ours from floundering. These are the people who keep the pot cooking behind and in front of the scenes.
Maverick Insider
It’s thanks to the contributions of Maverick Insiders, members of Daily Maverick’s voluntary membership community, that Daily Maverick has been able to produce journalism that has had a game-changing impact on South Africa. This army of 31,000 covers 40% of Daily Maverick’s cost – we truly would not be here without them.
If you like the impact that our journalism has had and want to see it continue, become a Maverick Insider. From just R75p/m you get to enjoy a host of benefits and the warm fuzzy feeling of funding journalism that is protecting our democracy.
September 2012
Greg Marinovich publishes
‘The murder fields of Marikana. The cold murder fields of Marikana’
exposing the role of the police in the horrific murder of 34 striking workers and the attempted murder of a further 78.
December 2015
July 2017
November 2017
Pauli van Wyk releases the first in a five-part investigation into
October 2018
Pauli van Wyk unleashes
March 2019
Kevin Bloom releases his Pondo King/Namaqualand investigation detailing how the
The contract was stopped as a result of the investigation.
June 2019
Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s continued exposure of Ace Magashule’s corruption following the release of his bestselling book “Gangster State”.
He still awaits his trial.
October 2020
Mark Heywood brings to light the PPE corruption in Gauteng.
Thanks to his work, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recovered hundreds of millions of rands so far.
February 2021
Pieter-Louis Myburgh reveals how Minister of Health
Thanks to his work, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recovered hundreds of millions of rands so far.
April 2021
Rebecca Davis and Victoria O’Regan’s exposé on
September 2021
Mark Heywood exposes the
The matter has now been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) following an investigation by the SIU.
May 2022
After Jessica Bezuidenhout’s years of doggedly reporting on and investigating Trillion and Transnet, Eric Wood and Siyabonga Gama are arrested.
August 2022
Peter Fabricius and Pauli van Wyk expose a secret visit of Putin’s No 2, Igor Sechin, to SA
October 2022
Rebecca Davis exposes
Phakeng has since left. The report on her performance should be released by the end of the year.
November 2022
Ferial Haffajee exposes
Following this, Mahanuke was placed on special leave pending an investigation and then fired in June 2023.
February 2023
Rebecca Davis exposes
Thanks to her reporting, the deal was stopped.
2016 – 2023
Marianne Thamm doggedly pursued
In 2024, Hlophe was finally impeached.
March 2023
Kevin Bloom details the four cartels operating within Eskom.
August 2024
Investigative reports by Pauli van Wyk (Daily Maverick) and Kyle Cowan (News24) uncover