iThubalethu
Africa!Ignite publishes iThubalethu, a free, plain-language Zulu newspaper with a monthly circulation of 40 000 copies across rural KwaZulu-Natal.
 iThubalethu gives a voice to rural communities from across the province and connects them with information, resources and opportunities in a reader-friendly format, making it an important tool for rural transformation.
iThubalethu offers advertisers and sponsors unequalled reach across the KwaZulu-Natal's rural areas and a distinct niche within the rural context targeting LSM 1-5.
iThubalethu also provides enterprise-development opportunities for up to 72 local correspondents and photographers through training and regular contributions of news stories.
iThubalethu is distributed through Africa!Ignite's RAIN rural distribution network to 20 education centres across KwaZulu-Natal and from there to 100 surrounding high schools and via learners to parents and into communities.
Africa!Ignite recognised a need for relevant print media to provide access to resources and information in KwaZulu-Natal's rural areas. A feasibility study conducted with support from the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) firmly supported the establishment of iThubalethu. iThubalethu Fact Sheet
| Language |
isiZulu |
| Publication Frequency |
Monthly |
| Circulation |
40,000 copies |
| Readership |
320,000 |
| Geographic Area |
Rural KwaZulu-Natal, across all 12 districts |
| Reader Profile |
School Cluster Communities around Centres |
| |
Principals, Teachers, Learners, Parents, Youth Forum and Adult Forum members |
| |
Zulu-speaking |
| |
LSM 1 to 5 |
| Infrastructure |
Two way RAIN communication network using 90 distribution points across KZN |
| |
20 education centres with ICT connectivity across all 12 districts with clusters of 100 high schools around them |
| |
Central news desk, production and printing |
| |
72 local correspondents in rural areas collecting news, opinions and photographs |
| |
Editorial board with representation from communities around education centres |
|
Contact details
Editorial office: 59 Henwood Road, Morningside, Durban 4001
Phone: 031 3035482
Contact Zasembo Mkhize for Advertising and Sponsorship information 28 September 2010 Black girls from disadvantaged communities who are performing well in Mathematics, Science and Technology in Grade 10, 11 and 12 have been given the opportunity this September holiday to gain valuable workplace experience at companies across KwaZulu-Natal 14 May 2009 Africa!Ignite has launched iThubalethu, South Africa's leading rural isiZulu newspaper. 40,000 copies have been distributed to schools and education centres in KZN. |
