New Indy paper first in isiXhosa

Celebrating the launch of South Africa's first Xhosa daily newspaper, I'solezwe lesiXhosa in East London, from left, Dr Iqbal Surve, executive chairman of Independent Media; Unathi Kondile, editor of I'solezwe lesiXhosa . Picture Michael Pinyana

Celebrating the launch of South Africa's first Xhosa daily newspaper, I'solezwe lesiXhosa in East London, from left, Dr Iqbal Surve, executive chairman of Independent Media; Unathi Kondile, editor of I'solezwe lesiXhosa . Picture Michael Pinyana

Published Apr 16, 2015

Share

Staff Writer

EASTERN Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle has commended Independent Media for taking the lead by launching the country’s first isiXhosa daily newspaper, I’solezwe lesiXhosa, and advancing transformation by making news and entertainment available in the region’s dominant language.

“This is a historic occasion. This is the first newspaper that speaks to the majority of people of the Eastern Cape in their mother tongue. More than 80 percent of the 6.5 million people in this province speak isiXhosa,” said Masualle.

“This is a very significant development. We look forward to partnering with it, to ensure we reach our people and to ensure this democracy means something to them, and that they can relate to the information provided to them in their own language,” he said at the launch in East London yesterday.

I’solezwe lesiXhosa will be based on the same editorial formula as the successful trio of Isolezwe publications (daily, Saturday and Sunday) in KwaZulu-Natal, which currently has a collective readership in excess of 2.3 million weekly and will be supported by the same publishing team.

The paper will be published daily from Monday to Friday and the editorial team will be based in East London.

Masualle said I’solezwe lesiXhosa broadens the frontiers of communication and knowledge, thereby creating an empowered citizenry.

There was an untapped market of over 3.5 million adult Xhosa-speaking people in the Eastern Cape alone, and there was no daily Xhosa newspaper catering for the potential market.

Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé, who hosted the launch, said the company’s expansion into the Eastern Cape with a vernacular publication is in line with Independent Media’s vision and strategy.

“The role of the media is to advance democracy and the development agenda of our country. As a large media house, we regard it as our responsibility and are committed to creating a platform for South Africans to communicate in their mother tongue. It is our contribution to deepening democracy,” said Dr Survé.

Related Topics: