Isolezwe is a Zulu-language newspaper launched in 2002 by Independent News & Media. It is published daily in Durban, South Africa, in the tabloid format. Editor Thulani Mbathi describes their target market as "the modernising Zulu ... [s]omeone who may go back home to the rural areas to slaughter a cow to the amadlozi [ancestors], but is as equally comfortable taking his family out for dinner and a movie in a shopping mall".[1][2]
History
In June 2004, Isolezwe launched their online edition; their fellow Independent News & Media publications described it as the first Zulu-language news website.[3][4] In the five years after its founding, it performed much better than Independent's English-language South African dailies, growing from a circulation of under 30,000 to more than 95,000, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations figures.[1] Much of their circulation consists of single-copy sales rather than subscriptions. It continued its strong performance in the first quarter of 2010, with a 34% increase in circulation to 104,481, as compared to industry-wide 2.3% drop in sales. Circulation for their Sunday edition, Isolezwe ngeSonto, also reached 71,219. Paper insiders disagreed on the reasons for the growth; editor-in-chief Mbathi credited human-interest stories and local news, while joint managing director Brian Porter mentioned editorial content and sports as "vital ingredients".[5]
Language
Isozwele is known for using a more urban form of Zulu, in contrast to its competitor Ilanga, which describes itself as using a "purer form" of the language.
Distribution areas
Distribution[6]
|
2008 |
2013 |
| Eastern Cape |
|
Y |
| Free State |
Y |
Y |
| Gauteng |
Y |
Y |
| Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Y |
Y |
| Limpopo |
|
|
| Mpumalanga |
Y |
Y |
| North West |
Y |
|
| Northern Cape |
|
|
| Western Cape |
|
|
Distribution figures
Circulation[7]
|
Net Sales |
| Oct - Dec 12 |
106 858 |
| Jul - Sep 12 |
107 628 |
| Apr - Jun 12 |
113 786 |
| Jan - Mar 12 |
117 266 |
Readership figures
Estimated Readership[8][9]
|
AIR |
| Jan 12 - Dec 12 |
943 000 |
| Jul 11 - Jun 12 |
867 000 |
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tolsi, Niren (2007-05-28), "The all new Zulu", Mail and Guardian, retrieved 2010-06-03
- ↑ "Media Update (Isolezwe conquers the streets)". Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ↑ "Zulu goes online with Isolezwe website", Independent Online, 2004-06-21, retrieved 2010-06-03
- ↑ Khan, Farook (2004-06-30), "Isolezwe launches into cyberspace", The Mercury, retrieved 2010-06-03
- ↑ "Zulu papers lead SA sales", Times Live, 2010-07-12, retrieved 2010-08-26
- ↑ "Isolezwe Website". Retrieved 19 June 2013.
- ↑ Audit Bureau of Circulations (S.A)
- ↑ SAARF AMPS (Previous Presentations)
- ↑ SAARF AMPS (Industry Presentations)
External links
|
|---|
| | Ireland | |
|---|
| | Northern Ireland | |
|---|
| | South Africa | |
|---|
| | Other assets | |
|---|
|
.gif)