Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
One of South Africa's weekend newspapers, The Weekender, has succumbed to the global recession pressure and printed its last edition over the weekend. The paper that had been in existence for three-and-a-half years was an extension of Business Day.
"It's finished. Ultimately it was advertising but the paper was in an economic hole, part of the downturn we're going through," said Business Day editor Peter Bruce.
Bruce said the paper had a lean staff and the group was doing all it could to save every single job. "Only a small number of staff was attached to Weekender. We'll try and keep most of them," Bruce said.
Asked if lifestyle magazine, Wanted, also carried in Business Day, awaited a similar fate, Bruce answered in the negative. "Wanted is doing very well, it's pumping out money."
Other titles that have closed include Nova, produced by Naspers, and the monthly Maverick. The Weekender was launched in March 2006 as part of BDFM, the joint venture company between Avusa and Pearsons in the UK.
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