Khutso Tsikane is a South African media development practitioner working at the intersection of media development, public interest journalism, and grant funding. With more than a decade of experience, she has championed the sustainability of community and small commercial media through policy advocacy, digital innovation, and strategic funding initiatives. Her work focuses on expanding opportunities for underrepresented voices and strengthening diverse, inclusive media ecosystems across South Africa. Trained as a journalist and holding an MSc in Media and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Khutso blends global perspectives with local realities. She champions independent media and believes that democracy thrives when diverse voices are heard, protected, and economically sustained.