Isolezwe, meaning 'Eye of the Nation', selling for R1,50, will be edited by Philani Mgwaba, former editor of The Mercury in Durban. He is presently head of the consultancy division at Meropa Communications.
Graeme King, managing director of Independent Newspapers in KwaZulu-Natal, expects the newspaper to create a number of new jobs for journalists, and be attractive to advertisers wanting to target "a younger, more urbanised, mobile and growing market". The modern tabloid format publication will cover community, local, national and international news, and have a strong focus on sport and people. He adds that there will also be theme pages covering entertainment, women's issues, motoring, employment, finance and education.
Tony O'Reilly, chairman of Independent, says that they will be looking at expanding Isolezwe's circulation to other provinces later in the year.
