In line with the group's career development strategy, Rampedi was promoted to assistant editor at Sunday Independent prior to his new appointment.

He previously headed up Independent Media group's investigations unit in 2019, edited African Times newspaper from 2016 to 2019 and had a stint as the group's political editor from 2013 to 2014.

Rampedi has 20 years of mainstream media experience in both print and broadcasting. He has worked for titles and media organisations such as:
  • Sunday Independent
  • The Star
  • City Press
  • Sunday Times, and
  • the SABC.
He takes over the reins from Val Bojé, who is stepping down to take up new responsibilities within the greater Sekunjalo group.

Rampedi is a recipient of several journalism awards, including:
  • CNN African Journalist of the Year
  • Vodacom Journalist of the Year (2010 and 2016)
  • Media24 Legends, and
  • City Press Journalist of the Year Awards.
He holds a BA communications and politics degree from UNISA.

Rampedi says that he's looking forward to continuing Pretoria News' tradition of ground-breaking journalism and to further entrenching its reputation as a source of credible and reliable information, that is beyond reproach.

"Pretoria News is the pulse of the capital city and by extension the nation. It's an institution with a renowned history of ground-breaking and credible journalism. It's the main source of information for the residents of our capital, the country's decision-makers, as well as the diplomatic corps," adds Rampedi.

"I plan to serve these stakeholders and embed the paper's reputation as a reliable source of information and the first port of call for breaking news that matters and empowers the public with knowledge," Rampedi says.

Dr Iqbal Survé, executive chairperson of Independent Media and chairperson of the Sekunjalo Group, says, "This is a well-deserved appointment and an exciting new chapter in Rampedi's career within the group, as well as for the Pretoria News and its readers."

"Rampedi is a courageous journalist who boldly and truthfully reports the news that needs to be told. We have watched his development through the group and have been enthused by his progress and his adherence to journalism's highest tenets. We look forward to his editorial leadership at Pretoria News," adds Dr Survé.

Bojé leaves Pretoria News as the longest-serving editor currently in the Independent Media group. This was a position she was entrusted with due to her diligence and passion for Pretoria and its newspaper, at the time that Independent Media was brought back to South Africa from its Irish media ownership by the Sekunjalo Independent Media consortium. This was led by Dr Iqbal Survé.

"The Pretoria News has been my life for so many years and I have been privileged to serve it and the people of this city I call home," says Bojé.

"I thank Dr Survé for the trust placed in me and the COO and all the group executives and editors for their support. To all those who have worked with me at the Pretoria News over the years, you have helped shape and sustain it, even in the toughest times and I salute you. I wish Rampedi and the team all the best for the tough year ahead," adds Bojé.

"Bojé and her news team have built a strong focus on the affairs of the capital city, including its governance, academic, research and diplomatic sectors. She has also led from the front in a sea change of technological advancements, including new systems and the switch to digital news consumption, and has embraced transformation within the media group and broader society," says Dr Survé.

"She is a visionary and it is in this spirit, she has recognised that the time is right for new leadership at the Pretoria News," concludes DrSurvé.

For more information, visit www.independentmedia.co.za.