The University of Stellenbosch has again raised its pedigree as one of the leading institution in Africa as its Journalism school (Stellenbosch Journalism School) launched the SMF2012 App – the first iTunes App ever to be made by any South African university.

The SMF2012 App  serves as a digital extension of its final-year magazine, Stellenbosch Media Forum (SMF). The  app includes all the original content featured in the magazine, plus extra features such as a behind-the-scenes video of the cover shoot, other exclusive videos and numerous photo galleries.

Head of digital magazine production at Media24, Ryk Benadé, said the app helps to “translate the content into another medium.” The app was created by Benadé and his colleague Luke Edward.

“SMF has been around for over 10 years, but in light of changes in technology and the media, this year’s editorial team decided to venture into new territory. We produced an app version of the publication in collaboration with Media24,” SMF Editor Christa Rohwer stated.

Expressing delight on the new development, Head of Journalism at Maties, Dr Gabriël Botma, said, “We are very proud and excited about the app, and congratulate the SMF team and our partners. This project shows that the next generation of journalists is ready and prepared to take on the future of digital publications, which still holds a lot of uncertainty.”

Botma added that “If there is one thing the last few decades have shown us, it is that technology makes jumps that no-one can foresee. But what is sure is that journalists and educators will have to stay ahead of the game – and apps are the way to go.”

The theme for this year’s content is “exposed”. The 2012 SMF contains variety of issues including features profiles on City Press editor Ferial Haffajee, and Noseweek editor Martin Welz.

Supervising editor for this year’s edition, Willemien Brümmer, said the “exposed” edition is one of the most sensational editions ever. “The magazine is controversial, cuts deep and does what good journalism should do – it scratches where there isn’t necessarily an itch,” she said.

Brümmer supervised the production of this year’s SMF edition being the current Rykie van Reenen fellow at the Stellenbosch Department of Journalism.

Although the SMF2012 is free to download at the moment on a PC, using an iTunes Store account with an Apple iPad (it does not support the Android operating syatem), there may be a minimal charge in future if the demand is very high, the media forum said.