Exalt Mausoleum Project by Jim Caumeron Design reverses funeral tradition in the Philippines

National Media Group (NMG) has ignored negative press coverage and media attention, stating that it will not allow this to distract it from its mission to create a modern, commercially viable, and sustainable media organization in South Africa.

This statement followed publications in competing outlets, including the Daily Maverick. NMG asserts that these publications attempted to undermine the company's launch through 'speculation, ambiguity, and disinformation,' rather than relying on balanced, fact-based journalism.

In a statement released on Thursday, NMG emphasized that it does not intend to get entangled in industry competition or predetermined negative narratives. Instead, the organization is focusing its efforts on expanding media diversity, creating jobs, and providing high-quality news to South Africans.

Composure Amidst Competitors

NMG firmly defended its legitimate commercial decisions and hiring processes, noting that it is not obligated to justify itself to competing media companies. The group stated: 'We are not obliged to justify our legitimate commercial decisions, hiring processes, or business strategy to competing media companies. Our responsibility lies with our readers, advertisers, and employees.'

The organization added that NMG is fully funded, strategically positioned for growth, and supported by investors who believe in the future of quality journalism in South Africa. Its focus is on building a sustainable, commercially oriented media company that serves the public interest, expands media diversity, and creates significant sector employment. The company will not allow itself to be distracted by campaigns aimed at diminishing this vision.

Furthermore, the group called on the Daily Maverick to concentrate on its own editorial resources and newsroom standards instead of trying to weaken new competitors through conjecture.

Investing in Journalism Amid Industry Contraction

While many traditional media companies across South Africa are cutting editorial investments, laying off staff, and reducing newsroom capacity, NMG has demonstrated the opposite approach by actively investing in the local media landscape.

During a two-month recruitment drive, hundreds of applications were received for publicly advertised positions in editorial, management, and specialized fields. The group confirmed that appointments were made through a merit-based competitive process, bringing together experienced journalists, editors, and digital specialists from across the country. Additional appointments are expected to be announced in the coming months as current professional contractual obligations conclude.

NMG presented this aggressive hiring campaign as a strong sign of confidence in the future of South African journalism.

Experienced Leadership Defines Strategic Vision

NMG stressed that its vision is based on an experienced executive leadership team focused on editorial excellence, diversity, and long-term commercial transformation:

• Mzi Malunga serves as Chairman, providing strategic oversight and governance.
• Melanie Peters, an experienced media executive with decades of experience in newsrooms and management, leads the company as Chief Executive Officer.
• Wesley Chetty, Head of Strategy, is responsible for long-term commercial growth and innovation.
• Siphelele Dludla holds the position of Editor of The National, leading a dynamic senior newsroom team.

Affirming its commitment to editorial integrity, NMG stated that its journalists will conduct accurate, balanced, and fearless investigations without fear or favoritism, measuring their ultimate success by audience trust and the quality of their journalism.

The question of whether Shah Jahan ordered workers to have their hands amputated after the construction of the Taj Mahal remains a subject of debate. The poetry of the poet Jamil Malik recalls the labor of thousands of craftsmen who created this masterpiece, which is today recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World for its beauty, art, and unparalleled craftsmanship.

There is a common story that Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the artisans to be cut off so they could not build similar structures again. However, historians argue that there is no evidence of this claim in historical sources.

According to historians, neither Muslim documents, official records of the time, nor descriptions by European travelers such as Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and François Bernier mention that Shah Jahan ordered the amputation of the hands of the artisans involved in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Professor Syed Ali Nadeem Rizvi, former chairman of the Faculty of History at Aligarh Muslim University and a specialist in medieval history, noted that if anyone wanted to stop the construction, it would concern the architect, not the laborers, since the architect develops the design. The workers merely carry out the work according to this project.

He also reported that wages continued to be paid to the workers after the completion of the Taj Mahal, and there are documents confirming these payments. Today, the descendants of these masters are connected to traditional crafts in the Tajganj area of Agra.

Historians point out that after the construction of the Taj Mahal, many artisans continued to work on other projects in the Mughal Empire, including buildings such as Shahjahabad (Old Delhi), the Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid. Therefore, the story of hand amputation does not align with available historical data.

The Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction took place from 1632 to 1653 and required the participation of about 20,000 workers and craftsmen. The use of marble, inlay with precious stones, and fine carving made it one of the world's most famous buildings.

According to the BBC, a significant number of workers came from the region of Kannauj, while stonemasons, stone carvers, carpenters, painters, and other skilled artisans were invited not only from different parts of the Mughal Empire but also from Central Asia and Iran.

Historian Abba Koch, a recognized leading expert in Mughal architecture, explains this story as a 'Guides' Tale,' meaning a folk legend told by tourist guides. According to him, such stories are associated with many historical monuments around the world.

Historian S. Irfan Habib believes that this story became popular especially in the 1960s. He emphasizes that there is no credible historical evidence to support this claim, and no authoritative historian has accepted it as fact.

Thus, existing historical documents, modern descriptions, and scholarly research do not confirm that Shah Jahan ordered the hands of the artisans who built the Taj Mahal to be cut off; therefore, it is considered a popular myth rather than an established historical event. The main value of the Taj Mahal lies not in a cruel story, but in the art, labor, and skill of the thousands of artisans who included it among the most beautiful buildings in the world.

In recent years, great importance has been placed on preparing quality content for children in the country, including special attention to the national spirit.