Free State gets English language newspaper

CHANTELLE BENJAMIN

Published: 2011/03/14 06:39:02 AM

AN ENGLISH language newspaper was launched in the Free State on March 11 2011, and editor Darlington Majonga believes it will go some way to filling the void left by poor coverage of the province in established papers.

Lack of regional coverage by national publications has been one of the criticisms raised by the African National Congress when calling for reform of the media sector. Cost-cutting measures have seen the closure of many provincial offices linked to national newspapers, but Mr Majonga said national newspapers also tended to focus on broader issues and dedicated little space to stories "they deem not to be of national importance".

"This is one of the few provinces that has for a long time been largely uncovered by the media. The publisher, Africa Media Holdings (AMH), felt it was imperative that the province had its own paper.

According to census data, Sotho and Afrikaans predominate as the home languages of 76,3% of the province’s population (Sotho at 64,4% and Afrikaans at 11,9%). SA’s last census took place in 2001. It is generally accepted that many African language speakers choose English over Afrikaans.

Mr Majonga, commenting on the website set up to accompany the newspaper, fstimes.co.za, said: "Everyone in this province is entitled to learn and know what is happening in their villages, communities, towns and districts, as well as beyond its borders."

The broadsheet, the Free State Times, is at present a weekly selling for R5, but Mr Majonga said once the paper was established it would become a daily.

In the meantime, the website will be updated daily . There are also plans to expand the various sections in the paper with the intention of their eventually becoming separate sections.

"It is serious and fun, with analysis, politics, sport and entertainment — everything relevant to our readers," Mr Majonga said.

AMH launched Lesotho newspapers the Lesotho Times and Sunday Express, both of which Mr Majonga edited.

In Lesotho AMH started with a weekly. -- Business Day.