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Newspapers and Online News in South Africa

South African newspapers can be bought from street vendors, corner shops/7-11s, and supermarkets, but there are no outdoor vending machines. Here are the pick of the reads, in SA Blog’s humble opinion:

Weekly Newspapers

  • Mail & Guardian
    If you buy one newspaper in SA, buy this one, which comes out on Fridays. The M&G has the best arts, music and culture listings, and the most trenchant journalism. It’s the closest South African papers get to New York’s Village Voice, Chicago’s Reader, Seattle’s Stranger, etc.
  • Sunday Times
    The best of the Sunday rags, with the most comprehensive TV guide, and journalism which matches the M&G’s in aggressiveness.

Daily Newspapers

  • Business Day
    SA’s best national daily.
  • Sowetan
    Provides a glimpse into the mind of your average tabloid-reading African.
  • Cape Times
    Best Cape Town paper – especially on a Friday, with its weekend listings.
  • The Star
    Best Joburg paper – ditto for the Friday listings.
  • Natal Witness
    Best KwaZulu Natal/Durban paper – although its rival, The Mercury, is a close second.
  • Eastern Cape Herald
    Best NMMM (Port Elizabeth) paper.

Get decent online news from South Africa, meanwhile, from these sites:

Best SA Online News