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 Kiki Ntuli describes their target market as "the modernising Zulu ... [s]omeone who may go back home to the rural areas to slaughter a cow to amadlozi [the ancestors], but is as equally comfortable taking his family out for dinner and a movie in a shopping mall".
In 2024, Isolezwe received a nomination for "Most Informative Online Publication" at the Behind The Scenes Awards (BTSA)) Other nominees in the same category included Zimoja Lezinto, Sunday World, Daily Sun, MDNtv, and Times Live. The Behind The Scenes Awards celebrate excellence in various media and entertainment fields within South Africa.
History In June 2004, Isolezwe launched their online edition; their fellow Independent News & Media publications described it as the first Zulu-language news website. 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. 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".
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 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 +CirculationAudit Bureau of Circulations (S.A) Net Sales Oct - Dec 2015 99 500 Jun - Aug 2015 104 510 Jan - Mar 2015 110 155 Jan - Mar 2014 119 846 Oct - Dec 2012 106 858 Jul - Sep 2012 107 628 Apr - Jun 2012 113 786 Jan - Mar 2012 117 266
Readership figures +Estimated ReadershipSAARF AMPS (Previous Presentations)SAARF AMPS (Industry Presentations) AIR Jan – Dec 2012 943 000 Jul 2011 – Jun 2012 867 000
See also List of newspapers in South Africa
References
External links Isolezwe online edition SAARF Website