Mzansi Metal is looking for writers, photographers and scene insiders who know extreme metal and want their work in front of fans in South Africa and beyond. If you can tell a story the press releases miss, we want to hear from you.
Scene reports
Your city, your venues, your promoters. What is happening in Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein or anywhere else the big outlets never look.
Interviews
Conversations with SA and African bands, promoters, labels and the people behind the gigs.
Live reports and photos
Gig reports with your own photos, written under your name. Photographers can submit galleries with full credit.
Features and history
Explainers, retrospectives and deep dives on records, scenes and movements.
What we publish
- Original work only. No pieces already published elsewhere, and no articles generated by AI tools.
- Reviews and live reports carry your name and your verdict. Our listening rule applies to the newsroom, not to contributors who were there or heard the record.
- Facts must be checkable: link to the official source for dates, line-ups, prices and quotes.
- Photos must be your own, or supplied by the band or label for media use, with credit.
What we don’t publish
- Paid placements disguised as editorial. Advertising is always labelled.
- Coverage of bands with documented ties to hate movements.
- Rumours, leaks, or allegations not reported by credible outlets or confirmed by the people involved.
- Pieces about bands you play in, manage or work for, unless you disclose it and we agree it is fair.
House style
- South African English spelling (colour, organise), dates as DD/MM/YYYY, 24-hour times, prices in Rand.
- Album titles in italics, song titles in single quotes, band names exactly as the band writes them.
- No em dashes. Plain, direct sentences. Hype words only when you are quoting someone.
- Features run 800 to 1,500 words. Scene and live reports run 500 to 900 words.
How to pitch
Send a short pitch: who you are, the story, why it matters to Mzansi Metal readers, and two links to previous work if you have any. Photographers, send a link to a gallery. We reply to every pitch within a week, and we agree the angle, length and deadline before you start writing.
Pitch via the contact and tips page. Or email editor@mzansimetal.co.za with “Pitch” in the subject line.
Credit and rights
Your name goes on your work, with a short bio and links. You keep the copyright to your words and photos; you give Mzansi Metal the right to publish them on the website and share them on our social channels with credit. Paid commissions will open later, and we’ll confirm fees before you start.