Stephen Grootes is a prominent South African political journalist, broadcaster, and author with over two decades of experience in the media industry. He has built a reputation as one of the country’s most authoritative voices on politics and the political economy, known for his sharp analysis and in-depth coverage of major national events.
Stephen Grootes was born around 1975 in South Africa. This means he is 50 years old in 2026.
Current Roles of Stephen Grootes
As of August 2024, Stephen Grootes returned to Primedia Broadcasting, where he hosts The Money Show on 702 and CapeTalk.
In addition, he continues to play several key roles across different media platforms:
- Television Anchor: Presenter at Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405), a 24-hour news channel.
- Writer: Senior contributor and associate editor at Daily Maverick, where he has been writing since the publication’s launch in 2009.
Career History of Stephen Grootes
Stephen Grootes began his journalism career in 2002 at Primedia Broadcasting as a reporter for Eyewitness News (EWN).
He went on to spend 15 years as EWN’s senior political editor and later hosted The Midday Report on 702 and CapeTalk for five years.
In 2018, he joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), where he hosted the flagship breakfast programme SAfm Sunrise until 2024, significantly growing its audience.
Throughout his career, he has covered some of South Africa’s most important political moments, including:
- The Schabir Shaik trial
- Every African National Congress conferences since 2007
- The Jacob Zuma rape trial
- The State Capture era
Education and Publications
Stephen Grootes holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University (1994–1997). In 2022, he received the JMS50 Alumni Award from the university in recognition of his contribution to political journalism and analysis.
He is also the author of SA Politics Unspun, a book aimed at helping readers better understand the complexities of South Africa’s political landscape.
Personal Life of Stephen Grootes
Outside of his professional work, Stephen Grootes is an avid mountain biker who enjoys spending time on trails, as well as with his family. He is married but has not revealed who his wife is. In a “20 Questions” segment with the Daily Maverick, he mentioned that if he could relive one experience, it would be “getting married” and the honeymoon that followed. He has confirmed that he has children, whom he has described as “wonderful”.
