BBC journalist Mayeni Jones has shared an emotional farewell after confirming that her post in Johannesburg is being affected by the broadcaster’s far-reaching cost-cutting programme. The BBC is working to save £500 million over the next two years, with roles across the organisation under review. In a message posted on X, Jones wrote: “Today is my last day as Africa Correspondent for the BBC in Johannesburg. My posting has been localised as part of the BBC’s savings cuts and I’m moving back to London.
“The last 8 years spent reporting on the continent have been the pride of my life. As a little girl in the Ivory Coast, I watched my family who’d fled the conflict in Sierra Leone glued to the World Service every day listening out for the latest news from back home. I still can’t believe I now work for the same organisation. It’s been a privilege. The work the BBC does matters more than ever.”
Looking ahead to her next role, Jones told her followers: “I’ll be working in the newsroom in London so you may still see me on air but to all those who followed my reporting in Africa over the years, I can’t thank you enough. Take care.”
Jones had served as the BBC’s Africa Correspondent since September 2024. Before taking up that position, she spent almost six and a half years reporting from the region as the broadcaster’s West Africa Correspondent, beginning in March 2018.
Her BBC career began in September 2014, when she joined the London operation as a freelance broadcast journalist.
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Over the years, she worked on foreign affairs output and contributed to a range of flagship BBC programmes, including HARDtalk, BBC Democracy Day, Radio 4’s Today Programme, Focus on Africa TV and Radio, and the BBC World Service’s Africa Debate.
Brittin, who joined the BBC in May, assumed control following the resignation of former director-general Tim Davie in November amid claims of “serious and systemic” bias in the broadcaster’s reporting.
The former Google executive is pursuing major savings in several areas of the BBC. The 550 jobs expected to be cut this year form part of a wider restructuring plan that could see between 1,800 and 2,000 posts removed over the next three years.
After its initial announcement, the BBC said more details would be released in due course. Staff have also been informed that voluntary redundancy options will be offered.