Riaan Wolmarans - SA editor in the streets of London

Riaan Wolmarans: SA's Sunday papers are disappointing.

"One of the first things that struck me at FT was the incredibly high level of professionalism among all its employees," Wolmarans says straightforwardly.

"Even the most junior journalist is expected to deliver word-perfect copy, and when editors and sub-editors require even major changes to stories, journalists are happy to oblige quickly and diligently.

"It is clear too many journalists in South African newsrooms get away with substandard reporting because there is a team of editors and subs at the ready to fix their copy, no questions asked. That is something that needs to change for South African media to grow and compete on a global scale."

However, Wolmarans was full of praise for the Mail & Guardian's standards of reporting, which he says compare well with what one reads in the British press.

Sunday papers disappoint

"However, when I recently visited South Africa for the first time since moving to the UK, I was disappointed at the poor quality of South African Sunday newspapers, especially the poor production - terrible design and layout, a lack of editing and sub-editing and uninspiring subject matter.

"Apart from a good story here and there, all of them failed to impress - perhaps because I have grown used to the British Sunday papers, which often require a whole day of reading just to get through the good bits - there's definitely room for improvement there."

Wolmarans' criticism though apparently sincere and honest, is very likely to raise eyebrows in certain quarters and hurt the feelings of some observers who may label him 'unpatriotic' and 'ungrateful' - a new trend in SA where the truth no longer hurts but angers and foments grudges.

He continues: "Looking at technology, the FT has an experienced and skilled online team and a website that has, of course, successfully been charging its readers for access for some time now (the FT has the benefit of being a source of specialist information).

"The integration of online and print publishing happens throughout the newsroom - print journalists take part in multimedia production, sub-editors prepare stories for both print and online. It is how newspapers should operate: seamlessly producing content for whichever platform demands it.

UK papers offer value

"Newspapers enjoy a rather high profile here, higher than one might find in South Africa - even though print circulation is dropping across the board and everyone is scrambling to find ways to make money online.

"Marketing ranges from the cheap shots - buy this paper and get a free DVD, or selling copies of a tabloid for only 20 pence - to more cleverly constructed campaigns covering both online and print elements.

"Newspapers have realised the value of offering something in print that can't be reproduced online: well-designed graphic representations of news events, for example, and there is plenty of cross-promotion between print and online editions."

Wolmarans, who first joined FT on a short-term contract as chief sub-editor of its weekly Investment Adviser magazine in November 2008, had for the previous six months been doing production and editing work for the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. He officially accepted the FT offer in January this year, joining them as a production editor of the special reports team.

His job consists of producing regular FT magazines such as FT Wealth, one-off magazines (for example, Business of Rugby, which is being published this month), and in-paper supplements on various topics.

"I oversee sub-editing, layout and design, as well as printing. I'm also looking after the online special reports pages," he explains.

One of the many… for a while, at least

He joins hordes of highly skilled South Africans plying their trade in the developed world. Some of them are said to be disillusioned with 'what is going on at home' and have allegedly shunned the Homecoming Revolution.

However, Wolmarans - who worked for M&G print and online for about a decade - believes home is where the heart is, and he says he will one day return despite the crime .

"My relocation to the UK is not permanent. My partner and I felt the need to gain some international work experience, and we love travelling.

"It's much cheaper to do so from London than from Johannesburg, of course. We will eventually move back to South Africa, which is a country we love. I'm not sure when I would return to South Africa, but the day will come.

"Despite its challenges, South Africa is a fantastic country with friendly people (unlike the rather aloof Britons) and incredible opportunities, and I hope to return with useful skills to make a difference in South Africa's ever-developing media industry," he says, adding that this is the first time he has worked overseas.

Wolmarans, who says he follows SA news online, was not clearly amused by UK newspapers' recent bashing of President Jacob Zuma, calling their comments 'unfair', and saying British media can be a savage machine on any subject.

"Most South Africans I encounter here like to discuss what's happening back home, whether it's the World Cup, the president's wives and children or Julius Malema's latest blunder.

"I avoid as far as possible the type of pessimistic expat who has nothing but complaints about South Africa, unfortunately there are so many of them now living in London. If you left South Africa because you hated it there, then stop whining, and get on with your life."