Techcentral has Dr Fanny van Rooyen has been appointed as its Deputy Editor, strengthening the leading technology publication's newsroom as it deepens its coverage of South Africa's technology, telecommunications and digital economy.
Van Rooyen brings an unusual blend of hard news experience and science communication.
He started his career reporting for African Daily in a busy newsroom image – covered everything from street protests to the Oscar Pistorius trial – before moving into specialist science and technology journalism.
They have worked together since various Universities, CSIR and Institute for Methods Innovation, and edited SearchYouth science magazine published by the Academy of Sciences of South Africa.
He also has a PhD studying how potentially disruptive emerging technologies like AI should be responsibly delivered to the public in order to limit the harm. From that research he developed a media ethics framework he calls Flaming Torch Theory, distilled into a set of “ten principlesTo talk about new technologies.
“Technology shapes humanity. The proof of this is all around us. But Like a burning torch in the hand, any new technology can either light the way in the dark, or burn down an entire forest – often both,” said Van Rooyen. “So, how we talk about technology becomes incredibly important. It will guide how we use tools like AI, how we evolve as a species and how we interact with each other.”
technology capability
He said he hopes his work at TechCentral will help move coverage away from hype, fear and harmful disruption and toward the transformative potential of technology.
A keen admirer of physicist Stephen Hawking's idea that humanity's greatest achievements have come from communications, Van Rooyen said the work TechCentral does in informing South Africans about how technology is reshaping their lives has “incomparable value”.
TechCentral founder and editor Duncan MacLeod welcomed the appointment. “Fanny brings a rare combination to our newsroom: the instincts of an experienced hard-news reporter and a deep understanding of how to responsibly communicate complex technology,” McLeod said. “In an age of AI hype and noise this mix matters more than ever. As Deputy Editor, he will help us hold the line on the skeptical, accurate, responsible journalism that TechCentral exists to be.”
McLeod said the appointment comes as TechCentral continues to invest in its editorial team to meet the growing demand for authoritative, independent technology journalism in South Africa.
Dr. Fanny van Rooyen can be reached at fanny at techcentral dot co dot za. – © 2026 NewsCentral Media