Bona magazine editor killed

Publish: 13 August 2009
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our friend and colleague Force Khashane, a dignified man of peace who was loved by all of us, and taken in an unnecessary and untimely manner. “Force was loved by everyone who came into contact with him. We are all heartbroken about this senseless death and will miss him dearly,” said Denise Stamm, publisher of Caxton Magazines.

Force was shot outside his home in Orlando East at approximately 23:00 on August 12, 2009. According to his family, it is thought that Force was heading outside to the garage when he was shot and later tragically died. At this stage police are still investigating and the motive is unclear.
Force has been with Caxton since 1979. He started as a sports writer on Pace magazine and moved through the ranks, serving as editor of Pace for many years. When Pace closed down he moved on to Bona magazine as editor at large. "He was a dignified man who contributed so much to the media industry and went largely unrecognised. We feel robbed at Bona," said Sbu Mpungose, editor of Bona. In addition, Khashane was instrumental in establishing Soweto TV and currently served as chairperson.
His colleagues will remember Force for his gentle nature, warm smile and nurturing of young journalists as well as his great love of soccer.
He leaves behind his wife, Palesa, son Khashane (14), and daughter Maphoko (8).
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. Farewell Bra Force, you will be sorely missed.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2009, further details to follow.

Study: SA media houses still divided by gender

Author: Kwanele Sibanda
Publish: 18 August 2009
A report of a study called “Glass Ceilings: Women and Men in Media” conducted by Southern African NGO Gender Links, has shown vast disparities in gender inequality across 14 SADC countries, with the number of women lagging behind their counterparts within the region's media houses, the study's executive summary states.

The study was conducted on 126 media houses in countries that included Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Excluded from the report was Angola.
Released early August 2009 by Gender Links, the report points to the fact that the media is still difficult terrain for women work-wise. It reveals that men are still dominant in the industry with only South Africa and Lesotho having met the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development adopted in August 2008, which calls for parity in all areas of decision-making by 2015.
Lesotho has 73 percent women compared to 27 percent men employed by media houses, while South Africa has a 50/50 balance. In Seychelles, 49 percent of employees in media are women. However, the reports points out that the figures need to be read in context. Lesotho's media has a government ministry with a high proportion of women.
In the case of South Africa, the figures were not disaggregated by race due to the regional nature of the study. The 2006 Glass Ceiling report on South Africa's newsrooms showed that black women, who constitute 46 percent of the population, account for only 18 percent of the staff.
In newsrooms, male journalists are more likely to cover "hard beats" such as investigative or in-depth reporting (80 percent), sports (76 percent) and politics (75 percent). Women, on the other hand, cover things like gender equality (71 percent), gender violence (71 percent) and health (59 percent), according to the study.
Four countries are below the one third mark: Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and the DRC. Zimbabwe figures did not include the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) which declined to participate.
The study reveals, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of women and men in media in Southern Africa. The average regional aggregate is 41 percent for women in the media. Francis Mdlongwa, Director at the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership at Rhodes University, says: "The percentage is respectable; however when South Africa is taken out of the equation the figure falls to 32 percent."
The study, which forms part of a trilogy of regional studies conducted by Gender Links and partner organisations in the region, includes the Gender and Baseline Study of 2003 that analysed media content from a gender perspective and the Gender and Media Audience Study of 2005 that analysed audience reception and preferences from a gender perspective.
The Glass Ceilings' executive summary notes that the report builds on a pilot project undertaken by the South African National Editor's Forum (SANEF) in 2007, and completes the trilogy series by providing baseline data on the internal institutional make up and practices of the media from a gender perspective.
To view executive summary go to:http://www.genderlinks.org.za/item.php?i_id=216

Women's Health goes online ahead of print launch

Women’s Health South Africa, the new healthy lifestyle magazine published by Touchline Media in partnership with Rodale Inc, will head online on 9 September 2009 with a robust, content-rich website, www.WomensHealthSA.co.za.

The site will include results-oriented and science-based fitness and nutrition tips, downloadable workout features, and fashion and beauty coverage that will inspire South Africa's population of healthy, active women. The launch issue of Women's Health South Africa will be available on news-stands on 21 October 2009, and the magazine will be published 10 times a year.

"We approached the launch of Women's Health South Africa as a complete 360 degree brand. By going online a month ahead of the print launch really speaks as to how Women's Health has evolved into a true media brand with the ability to deliver content across platforms," said Jason Brown, editorial director for Touchline Media's Rodale titles. "Worldwide, Women's Health is thriving online, and we saw this as an opportunity to provide South African women with a more immediate entry point to the brand that allows consumers a fully interactive experience prior to what we expect to be a very successful print launch."

The launch of Women's Health South Africa extends Rodale Inc.'s relationship with Touchline Media, which also publishes South African editions of Men's Health, Runner's World, and Bicycling.

"Women's Health is an absolute 'no-brainer' in the South African market. Relevant market success in the USA and Australia confirms Touchline Media's belief in the brand, which will prove a compelling companion to Men's Health and a wonderful addition to our other health titles. In challenging times, it's exciting to launch such a globally successful title. This is great news for Touchline Media, as well as the magazine and media industry," said Nic Wides, managing director of Touchline Media.

The launch of Women's Health South Africa marks the brand's third international launch in 2009 and brings the total number of Women's Health editions around the world to 11. Global editions of Women's Health are also available in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Central America, China, Latin America, New Zealand, Philippines, Turkey, and the USA.

'Complicated', the movie to launch in Soweto

George Mabona's directorial debut movie, “Complicated” launches in Soweto on 27 August 2009 at the Primi-Bazala. The film that explores the reality of romantic relationships within the young black middle class demographic in contemporary Johannesburg is a true-to-life portrayal based on George’s own romantic misadventures and lessons learned.

The film director makes candid observations of the structures and changes within and between these generational cohorts across the gender line, the sable variations that draw and bind them together, and pull them apart.

It is a coaxing inspection-George is insistent that it be categorized as a "light drama", the protagonist, a character named Patrick in his quest to find true love understands the females in his life and where his place is and role lies, amidst the chaos that ensures.

The writing makes clever use of unique and particular "South Africanisms" in the dialogue, and in a moderately relied-upon subtext between its films silences, that will resonate resoundingly with the films target market; more especially the male audience, who will appreciate and connect with Patrick's take on love and intimacy, his niggling double-takes and defence mechanisms as concern women and love, and how he understands a man must be and come across to others in Johannesburg.

Director George Mabona says: "The films cast is young, beautiful, vibrant, talented and refreshing to watch on screen."

The Film's Components

Bridget Pike, a National school of the arts graduate and most competent actress and all-round performer. Bridget plays the part of Precious, a beautiful, confident and flirtatious young dance instructor at the University where Patrick is an Art professor. Precious uses Patrick in the same way he uses her-a soft place to fall when the reality of the confused love life begins to take its toll. They are seriously sexually attracted to each other, and established as such, from the word go. With both characters unable to decide to explore their growing love monogamously for fear of the others "real" intentions, deception, malice, distrust and betrayal follow.

Mbali Renee Khuzwayo is afresh young talent, and plays the part of Nikiwe, Patrick's real love, and the reason behind his deep-seated mistrust of women. Nikiwe is an ambitious young woman, well aware of her beauty and charms can get her any man and anything she wants, the sort of woman one never really trusts, but is lured into her world via her beguiling ways nonetheless. Patrick takes a Chance on her and damns himself to a perplexing period of insincerity.

Lefa Mokgatle, a multi-faceted and talented artist and African spiritualist, plays the dual roles of Co-Producer and lead. Patrick is a 27 year old art history professor and ladies man-about-town. He is constantly flirting, regardless of his relationship status; the cool, rooted, macho and mature persona seeking soul, we all are and can be, to some degree when we want something, or someone for ourselves. The frivolity of his actions, weight of his decisions and the consequences he bears will resonate with many.

It isn't just rock: The role of radio

Author: Chris Botha

Publish: 27 August 2009

In the presentations that I do there is always one slide that gets a gasp from clients. It compares the number of media types that we had available in 1975, and compares it to what we have available now in 2009. The one that always knocks me over is the radio figure. In 1975 we had 7 radio stations. At last count, there are 135 Radio stations currently broadcasting in South Africa.

This has however not had the effect that one would imagine it would have had. With more competition, and more licences out there, you would imagine that the price of radio would have dropped, and become more affordable. More competition after all, should drive the price down. This is not the case. In fact, the exact opposite has happened. The audience has become fragmented, and the cost to reach them has increased exponentially.

Radio's role in the media plan was traditionally to be the frequency push for your campaign. You would launch the brand on television or on print, and then buy 10,000 radio spots to ensure that the brand stays top of mind for the rest of the year. This is not the case anymore. The cost of radio has made it impossible to use it as a support medium to anything else. Very few brands now have the budget to do a campaign using television or radio.

For example - Lets do a two-week campaign, with six spots every day (two in morning drive, two in afternoon drive and two in daytime radio). Our target market is LSM 9-10, so we use the major regional Radio stations - Highveld, 702, Jacaranda, East Coast Radio, KFM, Cape Talk, Algoa and OFM. Sounds about right doesn't it?

How much will it cost you?. Take a guess before reading further.

The answer is R2,2 million! That is huge - especially considering that you would only have bought 46 percent reach. So, to further build your reach you want to add on a few national stations like 5FM, Metro FM and RSG - then your costs really hit the roof: R3,2 million for two weeks of Radio. Your reach now sits at 65 percent. (frequency of 13 OTH)

Then I can take the exercise another step further and start including some of the great new black urban radio stations like Igagasi FM, Kaya FM, and Heart and you will see the number continue to climb.

Imagine if your target market is LSM 6-10 and you have to include the 9 ALS stations. Your bill for two weeks of radio will be close to R6 million. And . . . you would still be excluding stations like YFM, Good Hope FM, SAFM and Lotus FM.

The stations are partly to blame. Their rate increases are preposterous, and they are offering no real incentive to advertisers to take money away from television. The media planner decision is no longer, "how much to radio and how much to television?", but "radio OR television?"

The reality of the situation is that our radio audience has become so fragmented over the past 20 years, that in order to get a decent reach on a radio campaign you need to have serious loot.

You need to buy 23 stations if you want to effectively cover LSM 6 - 10 market. Those 23 stations have in turn increased their rates exponentially as well, making the role of radio no longer a supportive one with most other media. Cost simply doesn't allow.

Oh, for the old days of seven radio stations.

Sunday Times Business Times article questionable?

Author: Kwanele Sibanda

Publish: 27 August 2009

In an article in the Sunday Times Business Times on 23 August 2009, 'Questions over Moneyweb price fall', reporter Jim Jones raised a number of issues that appeared to be without substantiation. In answering themediaonline's questions, Moneyweb CEO Alec Hogg said that in almost three decades of his experience in journalism, Jones’s article ranked as “the most blatant example of a major media outlet being abused to pursue a writer’s personal agenda”. Is Jones – and the Sunday Times Business Times – guilty of the issues raised by Hogg?

1. Can you reveal what is behind the drop in your share price from around 50c to 33c?

Hogg: Since November 2007, Moneyweb's shares have traded sporadically on the JSE at prices of between 50c and 58c. On July 29^th this year, in a single trade worth R310, a Moneyweb shareholder sold 1 000 shares owned in the company at a price of 31c. As the brokerage and other costs come to around R150 per trade, the transaction was most likely the result of a shareholder clearing out a small holding in their portfolio. Between that trade at 31c and last Friday's deal at 37c, less than 20 000 shares (0.003% of the equity) changed hands in a handful of deals worth a total R7 278. To use such a tiny dealing in a listed as the basis for a major article in the Sunday Times is mischievous.

2. What do you make of Jones' contention that the other media owners have not seen much of a drop despite the poor performances of many of their products?

It is ridiculous to draw comparisons between Moneyweb, a small, developing business founded from scratch just over a decade ago and, for instance, the thousand-times larger Naspers, especially when this is done because of large share price movements on tiny trades. On average, R330m worth of Naspers shares trade daily. The value of the shares traded in Moneyweb over the month before Sunday's article would not even pay for one tenth of a percent of the dealing costs of a day's trade in Naspers.

3. Is there really a "comparatively large single block of shares" looking for a home?

No. This is one of many figments of the imagination of the article's writer, designed purely to damage our business's reputation. Some 80% of Moneyweb's equity is owned between our BEE partner Isingqi, my ex-wife Louise and myself. We three are long-term holders. A further 15% is owned by founding shareholder Jonathan Beare, Investec Asset Management and Allan Gray. None of them are sellers either. There is no large block of shares outside of these shareholders. The other 5% of the equity is spread between 500 or so smaller investors, many of whom participated in our pre-listing share offer back in 1999.

4. Are the comments relating to the Isingqi acquisition and the source of those shares and heftier salary and dividend payouts correct?

The transaction with Isingqi was struck at a small premium to the market price at the time and explained to shareholders in detail. To keep the dilution of shareholders to a minimum, my ex-wife and I agreed to sell under 10% of our shareholding as part of the transaction. Although asked, we were not prepared to sell any more of our shares.

My salary is set by the board's Remuneration Committee and voted on by shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting. It is the intention of the Remuneration Committee to get my salary to market-related levels after years of salary sacrifice in building the company I founded. Interestingly, although very liveable now, it is still below what I was paid over a decade back in my last pre-Moneyweb job.

In the financial results for the year to end March, it was communicated to shareholders that the board of Moneyweb maintained last year's dividend to reflect the improved operating performance, the company's strong balance sheet and its excellent growth prospects. Last year's results were distorted by the one-off financial impact caused by the costs of settling a law suit brought in London by a Russian businessman for articles written by the former Russian correspondent of Mineweb.

5. Does your agreement with Isingqi allow them a seat on the board and/or other opportunities to influence your board?

Lindikhaya Sipoyo, a director whose counsel is greatly valued, represents Isingqi on the Moneyweb board. Apart from regular verbal and e-mailed communication, directors are fully informed of the company's progress through quarterly board meetings and detailed monthly management reports.

6. Overall, Jones paints a picture without any commentary from you, fellow board directors, Isingqi, or any staff members or analysts. Are you aware of any approaches made for comment before the article was published?

Mr Jones did not approach me, any member of the Moneyweb board, our staff members or our legal counsel for comment before writing his article. It is not as though he doesn't know how to - as a former employee of our company, he possesses all the relevant contact details of these parties.

7. Is Moneyweb BEE compliant at shareholder and management level?

The Isingqi shareholding is just under 30%. Although appointed on merit, two members of the six-person board of Moneyweb Holdings are from previously disadvantaged communities. Over one third of Moneyweb's staff compliment comprise PDIs, a number of whom hold key positions in our flat corporate structure. As a small company, we are justifiably proud of the development role we play. For instance, our small internship programme provided the training and grounding for the senior (Black) media consultants at both Eskom and Transnet.

8. We understand that Jones had a relationship with Moneyweb in the past. Can you comment?

Mr Jones' company, PJ News Services, was employed by Moneyweb Holdings for roughly two years. The contract was terminated in mid 2006. The parting was not amicable. This is well known in media circles.

Subsequent to his departure, Moneyweb discovered that over a period of two years - both during his time with the company and for six months thereafter - Mr Jones had directed Canadian-based Infomine.com to illegally make payments of funds due to Moneyweb into Mr Jones' Mauritius bank account. Around $20 000 (over R200 000 at the time) was misappropriated by him. After Moneyweb threatened to lay criminal charges of fraud and theft, Mr Jones repaid all the money.

9. Can you refute his comments on your editorial policy?

This is best done by visiting www.moneyweb.co.za and judging for yourself.

A key part of the company's strategy has been to invest heavily in editorial content. Since inception in 1998, Moneyweb has employed the largest internet-focused team of financial journalists in South African media. It's full time team members include veterans like Barry Sergeant, David Carte, Andries van Zyl and Jackie Cameron; Fulbright scholar Felicity Duncan; James Myburgh, who holds a doctorate from Oxford University; and award winning rising stars Denise Mhlanga and Julius Cobbett.

The company recently added six of South Africa's best writers as weekly columnists (Denis Beckett, Jeremy Gordin, David Bullard, Sipho Ngcobo, Gill Moodie and Michael Waddacor) to further bolster its unique offering. Moneyweb draws on wire service content from Reuters, Sapa and, to a lesser extent, Bloomberg to ensure its audience is fully apprised of commoditised news. Its core content, however, is produced exclusively for the website by full time staff and commissioned freelancers.

10. Any other comments?

In almost three decades in journalism, Mr Jones's article ranks for me the most blatant example of a major media outlet being abused to pursue a writer's personal agenda.

It would be inconceivable for, say, the SABC to permit its news bulletins to be hijacked with lies about a community radio station compiled by a disgruntled former employee. Yet this, in effect, is what the Sunday Times has done by publishing Mr Jones's falsehoods against Moneyweb without any comment from us.

Through their audiences, media companies are entrusted with considerable power; the greater this power, the greater their duty to use it responsibly. We are appalled at the blatant abuse of the trust that millions of readers place in the Sunday Times - more so because the newspaper has, without any factual base, used its enormous power to damage an independent participant in the same business sector.

Moneyweb and its BEE partner Isingqi are reserving all their legal rights in the matter. In the light of Mr Jones's unfortunate history with Moneyweb, his conflict of interest is obvious. As the Sunday Times editors must be aware, Mr Jones left Moneyweb under a cloud -sSo at the very least, before publishing his damaging, false and outrageous allegations, the newspaper should have offered Moneyweb a Right of Reply.

Note: This response will also be sent to Avusa's newly appointed public editor, Thabo Leshilo, in the anticipation that the newspaper will agree to run it in full, at the top of Page Six in Business Times, where Mr Jones's slander appeared. It is also hoped that in the interests of fully informing its readers, the Sunday Times will commit to covering Moneyweb's future sets of financial results, including those for the period to end September 2009, to be published in early November.