New youth magazine launches today

15 Jun 2011

Loocha magazine, a joint endeavour by Khwinisa Media, ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu and Uhuru Communications (publishers of Sawubona, SAA's in-flight magazine), launches today, Wednesday, 15 June 2011, as a national youth magazine.

The 128-page glossy magazine is targeted at youth (16-35), ranging from high school students to tertiary graduates to start up entrepreneurs in LSM 4-8, with a spill over into the lower LSM bracket. It will be distributed to local municipalities across the nine provinces, high schools and tertiary institutions (planned as rollout over 6-12 months) and all government departments with a youth division.

Distribution to the above channels will be bulk-subscription driven, with the remaining print run available at leading retailers at subsidised cover price of R9.95. The rest of the target market, who cannot access the publication, will be targeted through subscriptions.

Objectives

Among the magazine's primary objectives is to "eliminate the lack of access to information relating to government youth programmes. The magazine will act as a platform where "government and industry can communicate directly" about programmes and opportunities available to the South African youth at different institutions in the public or private sector.

Forty percent of the magazine covers content relating to youth empowerment, with features profiling successful young leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals across all sectors. The publication offers new career options and there is a section dedicated to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to communicate opportunities available at the development agency.

First issue

The first issue will feature an interview with ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and world renowned former photographic journalist Sam Nzima, who took the iconic Hector Pieterson June 16 photograph.

Other topics include the youth wage subsidy, youth month and its significance, a profile on the NYDA, the Department of Defence and columns by Nohle Thema, Vusi Thembekwayo, Criselda Kananda and Dr Bandile Masuku. Interviews with Sbu Leope and Trevor Madondo, who chat about their new clothing line, VAW and share advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and another with Locnville, SAMA Best Selling Album winners.