Novus Media this week officially launches NovaNews.co.za, a comprehensive national and international news platform also featuring contributions from 21 community newspaper editorial teams across South Africa. The digital news hub delivers trusted, in-depth journalism nationwide in both English and Afrikaans, all without paywalls or hidden fees.
The new platform offers users easy access through any web browser, with the option to add an icon to their mobile homepage for instant access to breaking news, community updates, and national and international coverage.
What makes this platform unique is the hyperlocal content from 21 Novus Media community titles distributed across the Western Cape, Boland, Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape. Tygerbuger, Paarl Post, Bloemnuus and PE Express are among these publications.
The community newspaper websites will maintain their commitment to giving a voice to local communities whilst reaching significantly larger audiences with expanded news coverage.
“NovaNews.co.za is a one-stop destination for trusted journalism, covering everything from breaking news and hyper local community stories to school updates and sporting events. The platform emphasises its commitment to delivering authentic, reliable news that matters on both local and national levels,” said Esme Smit, General Manager of Novus Media.
“We’re providing news you can rely on—news that is not fake, news that matters, close to home and diverse true to our rainbow nation and culture,” said Smit.
Lise Beyers, the National Digital News Editor for Novus Media, said she is extremely excited about the launch of this groundbreaking new media platform. “The unique community voices of our diverse country have for far too long been unheard. There are so many stories which lie hidden in our communities and now NovaNews will give these stories a unique platform, together with keeping our nationwide readers informed about major national and international news.”
“This groundbreaking digital platform uniquely brings together Novus Media’s community newspapers from across South Africa, creating an unprecedented media ecosystem that preserves the authentic voice of local communities while seamlessly integrating national and international news coverage—delivering both hyperlocal storytelling and global perspective to significantly expanded audiences in a way no other digital media site has achieved.”
Follow these steps to get the icon on your phone:
Launch competitions
To celebrate the launch, Novus Media is running two exciting competitions for users who subscribe to the NovaNews newsletter and follow NovaNews on Facebook. In the Search for the Star competition, participants stand to win one of five R4 000 Pick n Pay vouchers or a luxurious 2-night stay for two people at The Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha, valid for six months. Travel costs are for the winner’s own expense.
In the “Nou waa is that star” competition, several stars will be hidden in reports on the novanews.co.za home page. If you find a star, click on it and a form will pop up to enable you to subscribe to the NovaNews newsletter. Then follow NovaNews on Facebook.
The competitions will run for two weeks across the main NovaNews site.
Digital innovation
The launch represents Novus Media’s commitment to accessible digital journalism through innovative user experience design. The platform allows readers to access trusted news content instantly through their web browsers, with intuitive navigation that seamlessly connects hyperlocal community stories with national and international coverage.
With fake news increasingly challenging media credibility, novanews.co.za emphasises its dedication to factual, verified reporting that communities can depend upon.
The platform is now live at novanews.co.za, with competition details available on the website and associated social media channels.
