Milestone for SA Internet

Elan Lohmann, News24 publisher, comments, “Online media is often regarded by marketers and traditional media executives as not yet on the map but our reach is continuing to grow in the local market. News24's achievement is a significant event for the entire industry. It shows that there are a mass of South Africans who require their news content online. More importantly perhaps, it shows that the local Internet market is coming of age as a viable mass communication medium.

“We believe that connectivity will continue to improve at an increasing rate in South Africa and that news websites will have the most to gain. Global giants like Facebook, Myspace, Google and Youtube may steal away local users to their services but nobody can do local news better than we can on home soil.”

Compelling content

Jannie Momberg, News24 editor, attributes the site's success to a strategy focused on breaking news and compelling content. “It has been our focus to ensure our readers are kept up-to-date with the fast-paced news cycles of the 21st century. News24's content is also available via mobile phone and on DStv channel 299, providing more South Africans with the opportunity to access news when they need it.”

“Furthermore, we have made the News24 experience more relevant to our users. MyNews24.com, where we publish stories written by our readers, has attracted over 80 000 users per month. This is a remarkable achievement when we consider that it was only launched in May this year and a clear indicator that South Africans are embracing the digital revolution of Web 2.0. The comments facilities that we have added has also stimulated fantastic activity and given a real voice to our users,” says Momberg.

Concludes Lohmann, “It is a privilege and a highlight of my career to be associated with such an Industry milestone and all credit goes to the dedicated News24 team.”