Meet Nompilo Gwala, MambaOnline’s New Managing Editor

Heralding a bold new chapter for South Africa’s longest-running LGBTIQ+ online news and community platform, MambaOnline is proud to announce the appointment of Nompilo Gwala as its new Managing Editor.

Gwala joins founder and long-standing Editor-in-Chief Luiz De Barros at the helm of the iconic publication. Together, they aim to elevate MambaOnline to greater heights—expanding its reach and deepening its coverage of the region’s LGBTIQ+ community—while ensuring the platform continues to grow sustainably in the years ahead.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Nompilo join our team,” says De Barros. “She not only brings valuable media and journalism experience to the role but also a fresh, dynamic perspective on the community we serve. I’m excited about what the future holds for MambaOnline.”

With a background as a health journalist and television producer, Gwala most recently worked in communications at a major state-owned enterprise. She also recently enrolled in the Communication Management postgraduate programme at the University of Johannesburg.

“Being part of this community drives my passion for amplifying diverse voices and creating safe, inclusive spaces that inform, empower, and inspire change,” says Gwala about her new role. “I am deeply committed to advancing MambaOnline’s mission as a leading voice for LGBTIQ+ issues.”

She adds: “I’m particularly excited about MambaOnline’s vision to expand its impact through journalism that drives change and meaningful partnerships, events, and advocacy.”

Founded in 2001, MambaOnline has stood as a consistent and powerful presence in South Africa’s LGBTIQ+ landscape for over two decades. The platform delivers timely and relevant news, sparks important conversations, and celebrates the vibrancy of LGBTIQ+ identity and culture across Southern Africa.

The site is a Feather Award winner and has been recognised by Human Rights Watch in New York for its consistent reporting on hate crimes. Last year, MambaOnline was one of the 12 independent media platforms selected to join the prestigious Amplify South Africa programme, which seeks to accelerate innovation and transform South Africa’s independent news media ecosystem.

With Gwala’s addition to the team, MambaOnline is poised to further solidify its role as the trusted voice of the region’s LGBTIQ+ community—ensuring that human rights, dignity, and equality remain central to building a secure and inclusive future for all.

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