About us
To Inform, Engage and Empower Local
Communities
VrystaatKroon is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.
VrystaatKroon has loyal readers who look forward to receiving the newspaper in their mailboxes twice a month on a Wednesday – free of charge. is a local community newspaper serving the Eastern and Northern Free State regions of South Africa. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, and issues affecting the community. The newspaper aims to keep residents informed and connected, fostering a sense of unity and engagement in the area.

Our mission
Our mission is to deliver reliable, hyper-local news in print and online that informs, engages, and empowers our communities. We are committed to accountability, cultivating and supporting our staff, and building lasting relationships with our readers and clients.
Our Values
Respect
Bravery
Integrity
Inclusivity
Excellence
Innovation
What we stand for
Community Connection
We believe that the strength of our town lies in the bonds between its people. Our stories aim to foster these connections by celebrating local achievements and shedding light on the issues that matter to our residents.
Integrity and Independence
We are committed to maintaining editorial independence and integrity. We strive for balanced reporting and provide a fair representation of all sides of a story.
Championing Local Voices
We are here for the people of our local community. Whether it’s highlighting the success of local businesses, covering school events, or amplifying the voices of community leaders. We are proud to be a champion for our readers.
Expand Your Reach Across Our Community Publications
Promote your business and get national coverage across multiple trusted local publications.
Our Community Focus
We are dedicated to highlighting the voices, challenges, and successes of our local communities. Through in-depth reporting, feature stories, and investigative pieces, we strive to inform, uplift, and connect those in our distribution area. Explore the latest community stories below and see what’s happening near you.
Foto-kompetisie: Kiek wol in al sy stadiums, kom in aanmerking vir groot pryse
Skryf in vir ‘n fotokompetisie waar die hele waardeketting van wol vasgevang word, en kom in aanmerking om groot pryse te wen.
Tourist from Cape Town missing in Northern Cape national park
A 66-year-old male tourist from Cape Town is missing in Augrabies Falls National Park after failing to return from a hike. Search efforts are ongoing.
Our Team
VrystaatKroon is led by a dedicated team who are passionate about providing news and marketing opportunities that are relevant to the community we serve.
Vrystaad Kroon team members:
- General Manager: Jeannine van Zyl is the general manager of Novus Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape where she leads the organization with a focus on fostering local journalism and community engagement. Her leadership is centered on supporting a collaborative work environment.
- Sales Manager: Coleen Cilliers is the Sales Manager at Novus Community News, where she drives advertising sales strategies and builds strong relationships with clients. With a keen understanding of the local market, she works to tailor solutions that support the publication’s growth and success. Coleen leads the advertising sales team and coordinates all advertising campaigns in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
- Group Editor: Karen Herbert is the Group Editor at Novus Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape, overseeing editorial direction and ensuring the production of high-quality content for the publication. With a strong passion for journalism, she plays a key role in shaping the voice of the organization and maintaining its commitment to local news.

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Our Connection with Novus Media
We are proud to be part of the Novus Media Network, which connects local communities across South Africa. As part of a larger network, we maintain editorial independence while benefiting from the support and resources of a nationwide media organization. For information on our overarching policies, visit the Novus Media Policy Pages.
Join the Conversation
We thrive on community interaction. We encourage our readers to submit letters, share opinion pieces, and reach out to us with story ideas that reflect the spirit of our town.
Have a story idea or feedback for us? Contact Us Today and let us know how we can serve you better.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
Thank you for making us your trusted news source. Together, we can continue to keep our community informed, inspired, and connected.
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