The country`s first online Zulu language publication, Isolezwe, has been launched with the aim of attracting a nationwide audience to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region newspaper.
Isolezwe is an online version of the print publication of the same name, which was launched in KZN in 2002 and has established a readership of close to 340 000 per day, making it the biggest daily newspaper in the province.
The publication can be found at www.isolezwe.co.za and readers will have the opportunity to try it out by signing up for a one-month free subscription to the site.
Independent Online, which runs the site, says it has been in a 'soft launch` phase for the past two months. The public launch and free trial subscription commenced on 14 June.
The organisation reported a 60% increase in traffic in the first week after the free trial was offered, although it says that because readership can seesaw on the Internet from one week to the next, it is still too early to describe a trend.
According to Philani Mgwaba, editor of Isolezwe, the newspaper is really excited by the Web site, as it means it is now accessible throughout the country, and even globally.
"Until now, we were restricted to the KZN region, but this site now makes it possible to reach so many more people," says Mgwaba.
Aimed at the emerging, urban-based Zulu market, the Web site aims to alter reader perceptions about online publishing, and plans to capitalise on the trend that has seen mainstream media becoming freely available in most of SA`s 11 national languages.
"The Web site will mirror the print version in terms of content and online content will initially be available free to view as an incentive to encourage online users," says Mgwaba.
"Ultimately, the site will be subscription-based, allowing users to access premier content for a fee."
According to Independent Online, the company is still testing the market and is not yet ready to publish projected readership figures, subscriber numbers or prices for online subscriptions.
"Since the newspaper`s distribution is confined solely to street sales, this site will greatly enhance Isolezwe`s readership among Zulu people, of which there are nine million in the country," says Babs Abba Omar, content manager of Independent Online.
"It is a major achievement and forms part of the industry`s commitment to providing relevant content to all South Africans."
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