When Currency News joined the Amplify South Africa program, it was little more than an idea and a bold conviction that independent financial journalism could be done differently. The founders were already developing the concept but lacked the resources and guidance to launch with impact. With Amplify South Africa’s mentorship and financial support, they built not only a publication but a sustainable media business.
In a long, arduous journey, funding was the first hurdle. The team raised less than they hoped and faced the hard truth of building with limited resources, so they followed a simple motto: “To begin, simply begin.”
The other major challenge was juggling multiple roles: journalist, editor, administrator, business owner. Balancing these competing demands required constant communication and a willingness to learn on the go.
Amplify South Africa played a crucial role in shaping the outlet’s growth. From contract negotiations and paywall strategy to newsletter development and mentorship on long-term planning, Amplify helped the team refine their business model and stay accountable.
With a team of four founders when they joined Amplify South Africa, Currency News has since added two more staff members with help from the program. With their website views currently hovering around 193,639 as of June 2025, The Currency has seen a steady, gradual growth since launching. Growth can be attributed to quality journalism and strategic partnerships. A collaboration with a service provider’s database also provided early traction, while social media industry networks have helped expand reach.
While the audience growth was a positive sign, the appointment of a full-time Sales and Business Development Manager was the turning point. This new hire brought structure and steady revenue from newsletters, sponsored content and ads, helping the organization’s financial stability.
In the journey so far, the lesson has been clear for Currency News: clarity, focus and courage are the foundation of sustainability. Reflecting on the journey, the small but dedicated team says: “Start, plan carefully, but don’t overthink. Know your value, listen, learn and never dilute your mission.”
We were never sure if we were crazy, but we managed the uncertainty by taking action rather than overthinking — The Currency News team