BACK in 2004 there was no shopping centre or high school in Jeffreys Bay.
Everyone was watching Shrek 2 and Spider-Man 2 , and dancing to the tune of I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys. Facebook was first released, Gmail was launched and gaucamole became popular.
On Thursday, August 4, 2004, the first edition of Kouga Express was delivered into the post boxes of residents across the Kouga and KouKamma region. And 15 years on, just like Facebook and gaucamole, the newspaper has not only stood the test of time, but has changed with the times, to become an essential part of our readers’ households.
Boasting a print order of 20 000 copies every Thursday, the Kouga Express was established by Naspers, publishers of the former Die Oosterlig, which, at that time, was located in Cawood Street, North End.
Distribution areas include Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Oyster Bay, Tsitsikamma, Loerie, Hankey, Thornhill, Patensie, Kareedouw, Joubertina, Krakeel, Louterwater, Misgund and Avontuur.
In addition, it has an online presence to bring its content to even more people.
“Comparing editions of Kouga Express in 2019 to those 15 years ago, one will see a newspaper that has changed with the times, but which has remained true to its roots in giving the local community a platform for their news and being a voice for ordinary people doing ordinary and extraordinary things, and keeping them in tune with the community in which they live,” said Kouga Express Editor Monique Basson.
Kouga Express
Apart from bringing relevant news to its readers, Kouga Express is also a firm favourite with its advertisers who stay loyal not only because of the results they get from their advertising in the paper, but also because of the fact that Express offers custom-made solutions for their varying advertising needs and budgets.
One of these solutions is the EXbox “Vibing Your Campaign” store activations which PE Express launched in June 2017 in conjunction with well-known radio presenter, Jacques Arendt.
EXbox gives advertisers the opportunity to spread their message both in print and social media format (via live facebook feeds) while creating a vibe at the advertisers’ premises for increased foot traffic.
What’s in store for the next 15 years one may ask? “Watch this space,” says Tasmia Ismail, General Manager of EP Media and Die Burger in the Eastern Cape.
“It is simply an honour to be celebrating 15 years of a brand that stands strong in the hearts and homes of the people in the Kouga region.
“TOGETHER with an amazing team in Jeffreys Bay, we have the privilege to carry Kouga Express into its next 15 years. It is only with the wonderful support from our readers and advertisers that we have been able to accomplish this milestone.
“Kouga Express and its 15 years of success bears testament to the fact that print is by no means dead. To print and distribute 20 000 copies (rain or sun) weekly, through the Kouga region is a challenging task, yet we have done this with the utmost care and pride for the last 15 years.
“This is the opportunity to thank each of you, our amazing staff, readers, advertisers and stakeholders. Without this would not have been possible.
“We will remain committed to serving our local communities and help grow local business for another 15 years to come.
“Here’s to another 15 years!”
Sister publications
The Kouga Express is a sister publication of UD Express, formerly known as UD News, which is the oldest, registered free local newspaper in the country.
UD News, which is 48 years old this year, was launched in 1971 to serve the residents of Uitenhage and Despatch. In 2017 its name was changed to UD Express.
Twelve years later, the Port Elizabeth Express – boasting a distribution figure of 120 000 copies every Wednesday – was launched.
Since 2006, the management team launched Express newspapers across the Eastern Cape serving a common need, namely a free source of reliable, relevant, local news and advertising material, to a very diverse market.
The year 2007 saw the launch of Mthatha Express, formerly Mthatha Fever, which is currently one of EP Media’s trophy newspapers and of which 60 000 copies are distributed every week on a Thursday. Other popular EP Media publications that were launched in recent times, are the Queenstown Express and Mid-Karoo Express.
Launched in February 2016, Queenstown Express boasts a distribution figure of 20 000 copies in Komani and surrounds. Mid-Karoo Express was established in October 2017, servicing the towns of Cradock, Graaff-Reinet, Middelburg, Somerset-East, Bedford and Fort Beaufort.
Initially Graaff-Reinet was not a major distribution area for the Mid-Karoo Express, but the huge demand for it, necessitated that the initial print run of 12 000 copies had to be increased to 15 000 to better serve the Graaff-Reinet residents and advertisers.
- Kouga Express staff will be painting the town red for its birthday month. We will be handing out cake across town. Watch this space for all the photos.
