The contemporary news ecosystem faces an era where many media outlets are pivoting away from print operations and shifting entirely toward digital platforms. However, Novus Media (part of JSE-listed Novus Holdings) is making a daring statement to reaffirm authority in the perseverance of print media, as considered by media update's Kiara Ferreira and Venelize de Lange.
South Africa's Afrikaans print could thus be on the cusp of a rare turnaround with the announcement of a new national weekly, Die Papier, due to debut on Friday, 6 March. In the past two years, several legacy publications such as Beeld and Rapport have either ceased or dramatically downsized their print editions, leaving few traditional outlets left to engage with Afrikaans readers through print.
Die Papier aims to bridge that shortfall by offering a Friday weekly in both print and digital formats, delivering news, community reporting, business, sport, culture and lifestyle coverage, specifically tailored to Afrikaans-speaking audiences nationwide.
While novelty alone doesn't guarantee relevance, Novus Media executives argue that there is still an appetite for print media within focused language communities — even as digital platforms increasingly dominate overall media consumption.
According to Andre van der Veen, CEO of Novus Holdings, the traditional newspaper format remains desirable for many Afrikaans readers, stressing that there is still valuable opportunity in targeted, quality journalism, not only in mass-market reporting.
Critically, Die Papier is positioning itself not just as a news outlet, but as a space for conventional community dialogue for many Afrikaans speakers who feel underserved by national media. The publication's Editor, Barnard Beukman (former Editor of Beeld), has signalled a resilient commitment to more interpretive reporting by stating that it will at times be open to honest controversy.
Die Papier therefore aims to go beyond simply reporting the news for the single purpose of mass consumption — its objective is to offer an inclusive space in which the variety of voices within its readership can be heard. By considering challenges through multiple perspectives, Die Papier hopes to support shared insights within local and national conversation.
This discussion-driven approach reiterates the distinction between mass digital media and community-focused reporting. While the former may seem to prioritise metrics over context, Die Papier has the institutional intention to emphasise local relevance and meaningful reader engagement. This acts as a hallmark of community-oriented print media aiming to nurture community dialogue rather than complacent scrolling.
Whether the launch will meaningfully shift the trajectory of Afrikaans print remains to be seen. As print editions shrink and news consumption moves online, Die Papier presents a counter offer: a physical product designed to restore a sense of ownership and community.
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*Image courtesy of Canva
**Information sourced from Maroela Media, Nova Media, Bizcommunity and ENCA