A South African media house is launching an English national daily in partnership with the publishers of Times of India so as to ensure a proper coverage of stories coming from its provinces.
The newspaper would be published by Bennett Colemen and Co LTD which publishes the world's largest English newspaper, The Times of India.
'The New Age' will start publishing in mid-September by TNA Media, owned by the Gupta family, originally from India, who established the giant Sahara Computers in South Africa.
"The Times of India (TOI), will be an important double digit equity investor and strategic partner," said Atul Gupta, executive chairman of TNA Media yesterday.
"Drawing from their rich experience after 172 years in the newspaper business and managing the printing of four million plus copies each day, TOI will advise and support TNA media in all areas of its operations.
"TNA Media is both pleased and enthusiastic about teaming up with a highly influential and quality newspaper that has over 90 per cent of its print run delivered directly to the door step. There are important lessons that we may learn from this sales and distribution method," Gupta said.
"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with a new national daily and a young nation. We will work closely with our partners in 'The New Age' to fulfil their commitment to produce a quality broadsheet while empowering the emerging South Africa," TOI Group CEO, Ravi Dhariwal said
"There is certainly a gap in the South African market place for a new, fresh, innovative and critically constructive national daily newspaper," Gupta said as he dismissed speculation in recent weeks that the newspaper would be a mouthpiece for the ruling African National Congress.
"An innovative departure is that this newspaper will carry news and information from all nine provinces of South Africa on a daily basis. Some of South Africa's leading commentators and analysts will contribute articles to it on a regular basis" former government minister Essop Pahad, now a Senior Advisor and Board Member of TNA Media said.
Vuyo Mbuko, editor of the paper said, "The New Age will be put together by South Africans who believe they share common ideals, and a common destiny.
