Page 148 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

INDEPENDENT MEDIA

www.independentmedia.co.za
In contrast to existing isiZulu titles, Isolezwe is indeed
BREAKING NEWS AND FEATURES
the ‘eye of the nation’, sharing new as well as familiar
INDEPENDENT Media is KZN’s most influential experiences with readers. Hard news and issues of
publishing group. From its Greyville premises in Durban, interest to the modern Zulu market are covered −
the company publishes and prints nine of its own titles everything from personal finance, health, motoring,
reaching approximately 3,1 million readers in the region. entertainment, sport, politics, opinion, a topical cartoon,
In addition, regional copies of national publications and book reviews and people profiles can be found in
other commercial printing contracts are undertaken, Isolezwe.
keeping the company’s presses rolling virtually 24/7. In 2008, Isolezwe launched a sister title, Isolezwe
An extensive, time-pressured operation distributes ngeSonto, which appears on a Sunday and is
newspapers all over the province − from Durban’s very popular. This was soon followed by Isolezwe
suburbs to rural northern KZN, into the Midlands Ngomgqibelo which appears on Saturdays, and the
down the South Coast and into the Eastern Cape. Over weekly Isolezwe lesiXhosa, for Xhosa-speaking readers
300 000 newspapers are delivered to subscribers’ in the Eastern Cape. The stable of Isolezwe publications
doorsteps every week, while thousands of outlets, reach in excess of three million readers every week.
ranging from large supermarkets to small tuckshops, POST is a unique weekly publication. In the market
are stocked at least once a day. Street sellers in since 1945, POST is the ‘voice and heart’ of the Indian
commuter areas make it easy for readers to buy copies community, keeping readers in touch with religious
of their favourite newspaper ‘on the go’.
and cultural happenings but also including content for
Different Titles for Different Reader Needs young readers. Most loved content includes recipes,
Independent Media reflects and provides a platform humorous columns, sports updates and profiles,
for its diverse readership communities – ranging from business news as well as hard news and issues of
the readers of English daily titles, the morning Mercury interest to the Indian community.
and afternoon, Daily News, to the country’s leading The Sunday Tribune is Independent Media’s KZN’s
vernacular publication, Isolezwe and the niche Indian ‘flagship’ print title. A regional newspaper with national
community newspaper, POST. stature, the Sunday Tribune is the preferred Sunday
KZN’s stalwart publication, The Mercury, last year read for Durbanites, and many in KZN. Breaking news
celebrated its 165th anniversary. Today this household and tackling topical issues, the Sunday Tribune carries a
publication is a mix of breaking news and features, bundle of special interest sections including, careers and
delivered crisply for the morning reader. A substantial business in Business Report; SM − the local authority on
business supplement, Business Report, keeps readers entertainment and lifestyle trends; SMTravel; a Property
abreast of national and international market news Guide, HOME; and Tribune Herald.
and trends. The Independent on Saturday is a punchy, up-market
The Daily News first began publishing in 1878, as the weekend read with interesting features, a focus on sport
Natal Mercantile Advertiser, based in West Street. With and great ideas on how to best spend weekend leisure
a more people-oriented approach than The Mercury, time. The title’s Personal Finance section keeps readers
the title engages readers on a wide range of issues in the know about wise − and not so wise – investments
and includes numerous special interest supplements and financial options.
covering entertainment, motoring, Bollywood, racing, Independent on Line (IOL) is South Africa’s premier
and employment opportunities. This year Daily News digital content publisher. Boasting an unprecedented
celebrates its 140th anniversary. stable of more than 15 quality newspapers – including
The isiZulu daily, Isolezwe, is a publishing success story. the KwaZulu-Natal titles, the IOL portal provides
Launched in April 2002, the title quickly built up a daily breaking news from South Africa and the rest of Africa,
loyal readership of over one million Zulu-speakers. news features and specialised digital content using a
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