Five Eastern Cape newspapers, including the Daily Dispatch and The Herald, failed to pay staff salaries for July 2026, affecting approximately 80 employees just three months after their sale to Ubuntu Media Holdings, according to staff and company sources. The board of Ubuntu Media Holdings, which acquired the papers from Arena Holdings effective 1 May 2026, met for the first time on Tuesday following reports of the missed salary payments.

Sparse Communication Fuels Staff Uncertainty

Staff reported limited updates from management regarding the cause of the missed payments, with senior executives expressing surprise at the delay. An anonymous senior staff member told The Citizen, “So far, we’ve received a few e-mails advising us that the issue is not yet resolved. C-level management acted surprised when the money wasn’t paid on Friday.” Employees have cited a growing sense of uncertainty and frustration, with another staff member stating, “The worst is the uncertainty. What we want more than anything is honesty.”

Broader Financial Struggles In South African Print Media

The non-payment incident highlights ongoing financial difficulties in South Africa’s print media sector. The sale to Ubuntu Media Holdings was intended to stabilise the newspapers amid an industry-wide decline in print advertising revenue and readership. However, the recent developments suggest persistent financial instability, mirroring broader industry challenges as traditional print publications adapt to the digital era. The reasons behind the missed payments remain undisclosed, and the financial position of Ubuntu Media Holdings prior to acquisition has not been made public.

The situation remains unresolved as staff await further clarity and management response in the coming days.