Independent Media is KZN’s most influential publishing group. From its Greyville, Durban, premises the company prints and publishes eight of its own titles reaching approximately three million readers in the region. In addition, regional copies of national publications and other commercial printing contracts are undertaken, keeping the company’s presses rolling virtually 24/7. The fleet of presses now include the company’s brand-new KBA, which has high quality and other commercial capabilities, that was commissioned in 2021.

An extensive, time-pressured operation distributes newspapers all over the province − from Durban’s suburbs to far-flung rural northern KZN, into the Midlands, down the South Coast and into the Eastern Cape. Over 300 000 newspapers are delivered to subscribers’ doorsteps every week, while thousands of outlets, ranging from large supermarkets to small tuckshops, are stocked at least once a day. Many readers still buy ‘on the go’ from our network of street sellers.

What’s more, the company has been making great strides in keeping up with the digital revolution that continues to shake up the industry globally. The Independent on Line (IOL) has grown into one of South Africa’s premier digital content publishers within a few years.

Different Titles for Different Reader Needs
Independent Media reflects and provides a platform for its diverse readership communities – ranging from the readers of English daily titles, the business and professional-targeting The Mercury and the people-oriented Daily News, to the country’s leading vernacular publication, Isolezwe and the niche Indian community newspaper, POST.

KZN’s stalwart publication, The Mercury, is approaching its 170th anniversary. Today this household publication is a mix of breaking news and features, delivered crisply for the morning reader. Business Report keeps readers abreast of national and international market news and trends.

The Daily News first began publishing in 1878, as the Natal Mercantile Advertiser, based in West Street. With a more people-oriented approach than The Mercury, the title engages readers on a wide range of issues and interests, including entertainment, motoring, Bollywood and racing.

The isiZulu daily, Isolezwe, is a publishing success story. Launched in April 2002, the title quickly built up a daily loyal readership of over one million. In contrast to existing isiZulu titles, Isolezwe is indeed the ‘eye of the nation’, sharing new as well as familiar experiences with readers. Hard news and issues of interest to the modern Zulu market in KZN as well as in parts of Gauteng are covered − everything from personal finance, health, motoring, entertainment, sport, politics, opinion, a topical cartoon, book reviews and people profiles can be found in Isolezwe.

In 2008, Isolezwe launched a sister title, Isolezwe ngeSonto, which appears on a Sunday and is very popular. This was soon followed by record breaking Isolezwe ngoMgqibelo, which appears on Saturdays, and the weekly Isolezwe lesiXhosa, for Xhosa-speaking readers in the Eastern Cape. The stable of Isolezwe publications reach in excess of three million readers every week.

POST is a unique weekly publication. In the market since 1945, POST is the ‘voice and heart’ of the Indian community, keeping readers in touch with religious and cultural happenings but also including content for young readers. Most loved content includes recipes, humorous columns, sports updates and profiles, business news as well as hard news and issues of interest to the Indian community.

The Sunday Tribune is Independent Media KZN’s regional newspaper with national stature. It is the preferred Sunday read for eThekwini Metro residents, and many in KZN. Breaking news and tackling topical issues, the Sunday Tribune also covers business and careers, entertainment, travel and lifestyle trends, and property. The Independent on Saturday is a punchy, up-market weekend read with interesting features, and great ideas on how to best spend weekend leisure time. The title’s personal finance section keeps readers in the know about wise − and not so wise – investments and financial options. Independent online (IOL) is one of South Africa’s premier digital content publishers.

Boasting an unprecedented stable of more than 15 quality newspapers – including the KwaZulu-Natal titles – the IOL portal provides breaking news from South Africa and the rest of Africa, news features and specialised digital content using a multi-platform publishing strategy.

Part of the Community
Contributing to the community is an important part of independent Media’s ethos. Falling within the marketing portfolio, a small team drives a range of community projects.

The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home provides indigent children and orphans with holidays by the sea. Each school holiday sees at least one, and sometimes two, groups of 150 children holidaying at the home, experiencing the opportunity of a lifetime. For over 60 years the Daily News Milk Fund has been providing milk powder to thousands of needy children in KZN. Donations from members of the public, Independent Media staff and various companies make it possible for The Fund to supply and distribute milk to nearly 5000 pre-schoolers every school day.

Supporting educational initiatives is a cornerstone of Independent Media’s Community Projects programme. This includes the annual support to pre-schools, homework centres and places of safety. The company provides bursaries to needy pupils and adults are enabled to enrol for various ABET and matric rewriting classes.

The company’s community outreach also extends to various health care projects, including the support for the HIV/Aids sufferers and several health organisations.