Ford South Africa Partners with Eyewitness to Strengthen National Coverage
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (Manufacturing) (Pty) Limited has supplied Eyewitness (EWN) with a new fleet of locally manufactured Ford Rangers to strengthen its national newsgathering capabilities and improve access to communities across South Africa.
The fleet comprises four Ford Ranger XLT double-cab models, including two 4×4 and two 4×2 vehicles. The vehicles will initially support EWN’s coverage of the 2026 Local Government Elections before becoming part of its permanent news fleet.
Designed to handle South Africa’s diverse terrain, the Rangers will enable EWN journalists to reach remote and difficult-to-access areas where important stories often unfold. The vehicles will help overcome challenges associated with demanding road conditions and limited infrastructure, allowing journalists to report more effectively from communities across the country.
Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company, Africa Operations, said the initiative reflects Ford’s commitment to South Africa and the vital role independent journalism plays in society.
“This initiative reflects Ford’s commitment to South Africa and to the critical role independent and impartial journalism plays in our society. By providing reliable mobility solutions designed for the country’s diverse terrain, we are making it possible for journalists to get to where important stories are,” said Hill.
Moshoeshoe Monare, Primedia’s Group Head of Corporate Affairs, highlighted the importance of reliable transportation in supporting EWN’s reporting mandate.
“Reliable access to communities across South Africa is fundamental to the core mission of EWN: to deliver trustworthy, timely and inclusive journalism that accurately reflects the diversity and realities of our nation. Many of the stories that shape our nation unfold far from metropolitan centres, in regions where infrastructure limitations often restrict reporting access,” said Monare.
He added that the partnership recognises the importance of enabling independent journalism while preserving editorial autonomy.
“Key to this partnership is that Ford understands and respects that, providing mobility solutions, it is unlocking better independent journalism. We retain our absolute editorial independence but can now further enhance our reporting being able to get to where the stories are,” he said.
Hill reiterated that the initiative is focused on improving access for journalists while ensuring EWN maintains complete control over its editorial decisions.
“Every Ranger supplied through this mobility initiative is built South Africans for South African conditions. By supporting EWN journalists to travel further and reach more communities independently, we are supporting greater access to the stories that matter across our country.
“At Ford, we are clear – we deeply appreciate the role of independent journalism. It is absolutely critical for us that EWN remains fully in control of all its editorial decisions, delivering journalism that is free, fair and uncompromised. Our only contribution is simply to help get them there,” Hill said.
Monare concluded that improved mobility would strengthen EWN’s ability to deliver comprehensive and inclusive reporting.
“Reliable mobility helps our journalists reach communities across South Africa and report more fully on the issues shaping people’s lives. With greater access comes a stronger ability to deliver trustworthy, timely and inclusive journalism that reflects the diversity and realities of our nation,” he concluded.
