Mobile operator MTN has announced its sponsorship of the two-day 2015 Highway Africa Conference that is scheduled to take place from the 30th of August at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

In a release to the media the operator said that it shares in Highway Africa's vision to develop a vibrant and growing network of African journalists empowered to advance democracy and development through their understanding and use of appropriate technologies.

Chris Maroleng, executive for corporate affairs at the MTN Group described the choice to keep sponsoring the event eight years since the company first came on board as a show of african pride on the company's part.

"African journalists hold the responsibility of driving our continent's narrative. As a proudly African company, we recognise the significance of Highway Africa in bringing together these journalists, to engage about issues facing our continent and shaping that narrative"

Chris Kabwato, director for the Highway Africa Centre seemed to echo Maroleng's sentiments, saying, "The longevity of this partnership with Highway Africa is testament to MTN's unwavering commitment to the development of good journalism in Africa. I am most grateful for this continued support given the wider economic challenges South Africa is facing."

The 2015 leg of the annual event will look at the relationship between media narratives and the city under the theme "journalism in the city".