SABC Names Veteran Deidre “Dee” Uren as News Chief in Bid for Stability and Trust

News

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has officially appointed Deidre Uren as its News and Current Affairs Group Executive, cementing a leadership role she has held in an acting capacity for more than a year.

The announcement was made on Friday at the broadcaster’s Auckland Park headquarters in Johannesburg by Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli, who praised Uren’s steady hand during a period marked by industry pressures and public scrutiny.

For many inside the newsroom, Uren’s appointment feels less like a change and more like a continuation. Since stepping in as acting head in January 2025, she has quietly guided teams through demanding election coverage cycles and fast-moving national stories, often working behind the scenes long after broadcasts end.

Colleagues describe her as calm under pressure, a leader who listens before she speaks. “She knows the heartbeat of the newsroom,” one senior producer said, reflecting a sentiment shared across radio, television, and digital teams.

With more than 30 years at the SABC, Uren brings deep institutional knowledge and a commitment to public service journalism. Her leadership now comes at a crucial time, as the broadcaster seeks to rebuild trust and strengthen its role in informing South Africans.

Her official tenure begins on April 1.
Email: motshwari@onenews.co.za 

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