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04/10/2006 01:17 PM - (SA) From fund-raising leaflet to newspaper giant in 80 years 04-10-2006
HB Austin, who settled in Somerset West after retiring from the post of Registrar of Deeds in Bloemfontein, wrote poetry and prose and decided to help the Anglican Church by writing a news-sheet about its forthcoming bazaar. The Bazaar News carried news of the upcoming bazaar, a patriotic poem on the then just unified South Africa, and local advertising material. It was printed on a hand-press by a Mr Hill who worked at De Beers. This original fundraising stunt was so successful that Mr Austin was persuaded to continue publishing a paper containing village news. The Silver Leaf then came into being. War put an end to it It had a short-lived life, though, as the war from 1914 to 1918 put a stop to all but the most essential enterprises. In 1926 the publication of a local newspaper was begun again by the proprietors of the Strand Printing Works. It was called the Hottentots Holland Mail, the leading article being written for many years by Donald MacDougall, a Scot who had settled in the Strand in the early 1900s. The business changed hands but continued to be published by the Strand Printing Works until 1937 when Norman McLeod, who owned a bicycle repair shop in Victoria Street, bought the paper. He published the newspaper under the name of The Stellenbosch District Mail. He brought the paper out almost single-handedly, enthusiastically taking all the photos and typing the articles himself. In addition to publishing the newspaper, Mr McLeod continued running his repair shop, the popular McLeod's Stationers, and meeting corporate printing orders with his Somerset Press printing works all from the same premises in Victoria Street. He changed the newspaper's name from the Stellenbosch District Mail to the name under which it is still published today, District Mail, in 1958. In 1973, the District Mail and Somerset Press were bought by Jan de Kock, who had been a tobacco farmer and had owned a newspaper in Nelspruit. His sons-in-law, Charles Nesbit and Peter Pullen, were appointed managers of the paper. A report published on September 3, 1976 announced that Somerset Press, the associate company of the DistrictMail was moving to new premises in Industria Road. The report quotes company chairman Jan de Kock and administrative manager and director Andrew Schonfeldt. The latter said: "Somerset Press has reached the stage where it is handling a much greater volume of work that had ever been envisaged when it moved into the Victoria Street premises about 20 years ago". The report says that "although the DistrictMail will be printed at the new premises the advertising and editorial offices remain in Victoria Street, Somerset West." A photograph alongside the story has a picture of works foreman Harold Walbrugh, who at the time had 25 years service with Somerset Press, and Eddie Locke. The same issue in 1976 announces a revamp of the newspaper masthead and quotes editor Robert Swann. The paper cost 10c in those days. Jan Celliers took over as manager on January 1,1984, and Patrick Seeton was imported from Barberton shortly after to take over the reins as editor. Following Mr De Kock's death in October 1984, Nasionale Media acquired the majority share in the company in December 1984. Mr Celliers moved on to become the regional manager of Nasionale Media's Die Burger in Cape Town, with Dr Johann Botha replacing him as manager. Patrick Seeton retires as editor in 1998 after 14 years at the helm and is replaced by Karen Geldenhuys, who joined the newspaper six years earlier. A milestone was reached when the community freesheet HelderPos/HelderMail was established in October 1996, to be distributed on Tuesdays. The DistrictMail entered the information age when its website, helderberg.com, was launched in 1997. The website is aimed not only at making popular content of the newspaper available online, but also at helping users find any kind of information they may need on the Helderberg, whether they need to find a good hotel to stay in, or a good plumber to fix a leak. The DistrictMail is printed by Paarl Post, which is also a shareholder in the company. In 1999, HelderPos passes the weekly circulation figure of 30 000 copies. The business moved from offices in Industria Road to new premises at 37 Mynhardt Street, Gantcentre in October 2000. The new building was designed by Ben Kruger Architects. In the same year, former manager Jan Celliers returns as publisher for DistrictMail and regional manager for its sister publications, Eikestad Nuus in Stellenbosch, Paarl Post, Worcester Standard, Weskus Media (Weslander and Swartlander), Overberg Media (Hermanus Times). Dr Botha is relocated to the Eastern Cape as publisher of the regional edition of daily newspaper Die Burger. Karen Geldenhuys leaves in April 2004 to become assistant editor at Media24 magazine Women's Value. She is replaced by Theresa Olivier, who is the current editor. The DistrictMail has been serving the greater Helderberg region for the past 80 years. The slogan of the newspaper, "Heartbeat of the Helderberg", speaks not only of its valued place in the community, but also of its concern for the community and role of keeping it updated on matters affecting it. Over 14 000 copies are sold every week in the towns of Somerset West, Strand, Macassar, Gordon's Bay, Firgrove, Grabouw, Elgin, Lwandle, Nomzamo and Stellenbosch. The newspaper is a consistent winner at the annual Sanlam Community Press Awards and is respected by both readers and the newspaper industry itself. It has been named best community newspaper in SA with circulation over 8 000 in Nissan/Capro annual awards in 1995 and 1998. Cronwright Trophy for newspapers with circulation above 8000 per week was won in 1990, 2000 and 2006. By 1980 the DistrictMail had entered the GMC Cronwright Awards for newspapers with a circulation of more than 5 000 per week six times and according to records always featured among the top performers. In 1976 and 1980 it was placed second. It is the medium of choice for advertisers wishing to reach the greater Helderberg region, and its popularity with advertisers is evidenced by the number of pages we put out every week - an average of 76. Our content covers a range of topics, from hard news to entertainment and even gardening, motoring and angling. It has a thriving business and property section averaging 36 pages a week. The DistrictMail is published every Thursday, currently resorts under Boland Newspapers, a Media24 company formed in 2002, and sells for R3,95 (2006).
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