Mpungose makes her comeback at a time when the print media is said to be battered and squeezed due to falling circulations and current economic turmoil.
“Combinations of many things [have] lead to my return,” she says. “I am very interested in the media industry. I am still young in the industry and I have a passion for serving the public, particularly the black mass market.”
Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpungose grew up reading Bona, and is proud to be editing the only magazine published in four languages (isiZulu, isiXhosa, seSotho and English). After completing her studies at Tshwane University of Technology, she worked in various positions within the publishing world, from columnist writing to sub-editing. In 2005, she was appointed editor of Move!, where she scooped the ADmag Editor of the Year Award.
She says that the what is been said about advertisers cutting on ad spent in print media is a misrepresentation of facts: “Print is still a cheaper option compared to radio and TV. It is still an affordable option compared to broadcast. The ABC (July- September 2008) show an increase in growth, proof that Bona is a powerful brand”
“The challenge is to give people what they really need, which is quality information and entertainment, as well as educative news. Readers want information on how to survive the credit crunch; they want to be entertained they are expecting to find value. We have plans to grow the publication through exposing it to the new generation Bona reader.”
“I look forward to a long and happy relationship with the Bona readers,” she concludes.
Mpungose assumed her position in November 2008.
