Mail and Guardian editor Ferial Haffajee has been appointed as the chairperson of the Inter Press Service Africa board at the annual IPS Africa board meeting in Johannesburg where plans were outlined for increased capacity and growth on the continent.

In Africa, IPS is registered as a not-for-profit Section 21 company in South Africa with its headquarters in Johannesburg. It has bureaus in Kenya and Benin.

IPS Africa board members include IPS director general Mario Lubetkin; former IPS Africa director and media and communications expert Farai Samhungu; IPS Africa regional director Paula Fray; Polytechnic of Namibia’s Head of Media Technology, Emily Brown; media expert Govin Reddy; editor Ferial Haffajee and West African Newsmedia and Development centre (WANAD) secretary general Prof Alfred Opubor.

Haffajee, a former IPS correspondent, said IPS Africa had always been close to her heart: “IPS Africa teaches a method and purpose in journalism which gets lost in the converged, celebrity-crazy, profit-driven world we inhabit. And that method is simple: it is to never forget that it is those who live in the poorest corners of our globe without the basic necessities of shelter, water, power that should always be at the epicentre of our craft.”

In 2007, IPS Africa provided stories from more than 40 African countries. Its projects include the Southern Africa Water Wire and From Polls to Polls - a project to strengthen the voice and invisibility of women in elections across the continent.

“Under Paula Fray’s hand, I am convinced that IPS Africa will become a leading source of news across our continent. Excellent journalism has been integral to the growth of democracy on our continent and it will be an umbilical twin of development too. The board wishes Paula every success and every support,” said Haffajee.

Board members also met with key stakeholders in South Africa at a function immediately after the board meetings. Among those in attendance were leading media, civil society and foundation representatives.

IPS director general Mario Lubetkin also held top-level meetings during his stay in Johannesburg. Among those he met was Minister Essop Pahad, Minister in the Office of the Presidency, as well as the chairperson of The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) Mathatha Tsedu.

The board has supported plans to increase capacity building with a long-term goal of self-sufficiency in the region.

The next board meeting takes place in January 2009.