Naspers launches biggest online business on continent

The joint venture forms part of Naspers' long-term growth strategy to ensure sustainable development across its print, television and online communication platforms. 24.com aims to dominate the digital arena in Africa by offering visitors the best online content and services. A team of more than 300 experts will be dedicated to delivering this unbeatable web experience.

In addition to carrying content from the existing 24.com niche interest sites, the portal will host a smorgasbord of new tools and services, including locally relevant web search technology, free web-based email, instant messaging, photo albums, blogs, other social networking tools and online shopping powered by Kalahari.net.

Dedicated mobile division

Noteworthy developments for prolonged brand growth include the launch of a dedicated Mobile Division, responsible for developing a platform for the delivery of 24.com content to handheld devices, as well as an Africa Division, responsible for expansion into Africa.

Kim Reid is joined by editorial director Arrie Rossouw, a former newspaper and online editor, and Russell Hanly, chief executive: commercial, in establishing 24.com as the leading digital business in Africa. Hanly was CEO of Media24 Digital before the merger. André Retief of MWeb Innovation Zone joins the team as chief technical Officer of 24.com. The IZone research and product development team will service the development requirements for Africa's largest portal and deliver ongoing innovation.

Comments Rossouw, "With 24.com, the content and commercial activities of most South African and indeed African businesses of the group are merged into one destination on the Internet. This makes complete business sense as the group pools resources, expertise and existing audiences to create the biggest online business on the continent."

Unrivalled launch platform

"By combining the audience of South Africa's two top digital publishing audiences, 24.com will be reaching an astounding 60% of the entire online universe in South Africa. This provides us with a healthy and completely unrivalled launch platform," emphasises Rossouw.

Hanly explains that 24.com is the culmination of varied, wide-ranging online and digital initiatives during the past nine years within Naspers, of which most are successful and have been established as market leaders.

He moves on to say that the timely arrival of affordable broadband Internet connectivity in South Africa is increasing adoption figures exponentially and will be central in catapulting the Internet into mainstream consumer behaviour. "With the roll-out of affordable broadband in South Africa, local digital and online businesses are entering a new era. In The US 60 - 65% of US households are connected to the Internet. These encouraging figures bode exceedingly well for the growth of 24.com."

This new era of always-on Internet is supported by significant advertising growth and exciting new products and functions that enrich the lives of online users and create new business opportunities. 24.com has already developed new advertising models to cater to these opportunities through its Search functionality and Classified offering in partnership with the Media24 Newspaper stable.

It therefore comes as no surprise that 24.com aspires to be a digital partner in every home. The launch of the site takes Naspers another step closer to making that a reality.