“I am very happy about my appointment and am looking forward to the challenge. For me this appointment is like coming home because it is at The Star that I kick-started my career as a journalist in 1981,” comments Tissong upon his appointment.
After seven years at The Star, Tissong moved to the Sowetan in 1988 where he rose through the ranks, becoming night editor in 1994. In 1998 he joined New Africa Publications (NAP), the then owner of Sowetan, as deputy MD, becoming MD a year later. In 2004 Johncom acquired NAP, with Tissong assuming the role of GM. He leaves his current position as GM: magazines at Johncom to join Independent Newspapers.
“We welcome Mike and look forward to benefiting from his significant experience. The general manager role is challenging, with Gauteng the most competitive newspaper market in the country. Mike is fortunate in inheriting a strong newspaper team, both commercially and journalistically, and joins us as The Star celebrates its 120th anniversary,” says Tony Howard, chief executive of Independent Newspapers.
Currently, Tissong sits on various boards which include: Print Media SA, Magazine Publishers Association of SA (deputy chairman), Audit Bureau of Circulations, Picasso Headlines, Uranus Financial Services, Nation Building Foundation and Interfaith Community Development Association.
Tissong addressed the United Nations Committee against Apartheid in New York in February 1987, followed by another address at the Trades Union Congress in London in June the same year. A founder member of the South African National Editors’ Forum, Tissong was made a Print Media Fellow in 2003.
A graduate of the University of Cape Town, Tissong graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences. He also attained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wales.
