Niche market magazines that work for you!

The Media in Africa Group began its foray into the publishing industry in 1983 when almost a quarter of a century ago, Schalk Burger – founder of MEDIA IN AFRICA – entered the building and construction arena with the introduction of South Africa’s first dedicated flooring magazine, SA Floorcovering Journal. It was Schalk’s ethos, vision, dedication and passion for publishing excellence and the audience he served that culminated in MEDIA IN AFRICA, an exceptional publishing house with an outstanding reputation and equally dedicated team.

This journal eventually became FLOORS in Africa. Regarded as the leading flooring publication on the continent, it is knowledgeable, informative, newsworthy and in touch with the latest flooring trends and developments (both locally and internationally), offering a sounding board for new concepts and providing compulsive reading for the industry professionals.

In 1999, MEDIA IN AFRICA introduced the annual Good Flooring Guide which subsequently became the Great Flooring Guide in 2006. Designed to keep the residential market and the general public in touch with the latest flooring trends, product developments and technologies, the Great Flooring Guide provides the modern homeowners with an at-a-glance review of every type of floor covering, and thus the knowledge necessary to make informed purchase decisions.

WALLS & ROOFS in Africa was introduced in 2000, and has since become a well-respected, high-quality, glossy trade publication which explores the full range of walling and roofing materials, construction and trends. With a lean and seasoned editorial and production team dedicated to providing quick, quality delivery for both their readership and advertisers, WALLS & ROOFS in Africa has gleaned rave reviews from architects, quantity surveyors and contractors, amongst others, who all use the magazine as an undisputed authority in the industry. Through innovation, editorial excellence and one of the best teams in the business, WALLS & ROOFS in Africa has become the most effective, market-leading specialist magazine in the industry, connecting specifiers with suppliers. Both WALLS & ROOFS and FLOORS are corporate members of the Pretoria Institute of Architects.

In 2006, MEDIA IN AFRICA saw a need for unbiased reporting on energy related issues. They then took a brave step into providing an industry first. 25° in Africa: Africa’s Energy Magazine is a high quality publication which covers the whole gamut of energy sources, production needs, moratoria, and the topical issues surrounding these. As a totally independent publication that has no direct association with or affiliation to any institutions or governing bodies, 25° in Africa quickly became an award-winning publication with a cult following. Its unique tri-pronged focus: Africa, energy and the environment, has made it a sounding board for the African Energy Industry at large. Facilitator of an open-forum debate, the magazine is intent on growing its influence on the decisions surrounding Africa’s energy policy of the future. 25° in Africa provides meaningful, completely unbiased reportage on the major energy issues of the day throughout the African continent, with interviews and reports from international experts, governmental policy statements, statistical analyses, and the views of decision makers in industry. Hailed as being innovative, informative, well-produced and even somewhat controversial, 25° in Africa is actively supported by heavyweight advertisers and contributors. 25° in Africa was announced as one of only two South African magazines to receive a 2008 Tabbie award. The magazine received an Honourable Mention in the category, Front Cover Photograph for its edition entitled ‘The increasing oil price'. During November 2008, the publication’s staff secured a joint win in the 2008 eta Awards. Marlene Raubenheimer, the publication’s editor, and Jody Boshoff, the publication’s journalist, won the Women in Industries category. The eta Awards is an annual event sponsored by Eskom and endorsed by the DME which has been run for the past 18 years. The purpose of the awards is to promote the more efficient use of energy, as well as award exceptional efforts made by individuals and companies towards promoting the more efficient use of energy.

The latest additions to the MEDIA IN AFRICA publication programme is a complete breakaway from the specialised technical publications upon which the company has been built its success. Known as INTIEM and INTIMACY, these handbag sized magazines promise to inspire and empower women between the sheets. From emotional closeness and communication, to recipes for unforgettable moments – INTIMACY has gleaned unbelievably positive feedback from the women who enjoy it. Started as an answer to South Africa’s high divorce rate, MEDIA IN AFRICA aimed to produce a publication which could make a positive difference in married Christian women’s lives. The 2008 PICA awards saw INTIEM walk away with a ‘Highly Commended’ in the category Overall publishing excellence. Judge Muzi Kuzwayo, Group CEO of TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, commented that South Africa is built on bravery – and that bravery in entering a new publishing niche was a criterion that influenced the final selection.

Still a family-run business with strong Christian values and ethics, MEDIA IN AFRICA is now owned and managed by Schalk’s daughter Liezel van der Merwe, and son-in-law Fanie Venter. Schalk’s legacy of innovation in the face of adversity and excellence in the face of mediocrity remain a pillar of strength for the team he has left behind.

MEDIA IN AFRICA has grown to become a leading dynamic publishing group who put product quality and customer satisfaction above all else. Experts at devising personalised advertising solutions, such as personalised covers or dual colour covers to increase brand equity and recognition, they consistently glean positive reviews from highly satisfied clients.

The values that MEDIA IN AFRICA strive to uphold are reflected in their declared mission of “maintaining our role as a major player in the niche markets by providing superior quality products, and aiming to maintain our culture of unequalled client service whilst encouraging ethical and principled business practices, and being a positive influence on the community we serve.” This, in combination with a vision of establishing powerful communications vehicles that connect suppliers with customers and service providers with clientele through the core value of excellence in customer liaison and media, is the foundation of the group’s success.