Mahareng, the publisher of Bloemfontein Courant and Get It Bloemfontein, recently restructured its management team to align to growth strategies going forward. Part of the restructure included the appointment of Business Manager, Corni Fourie.
Fourie started at the company in 2006 when it was first established as a Caxton venture and she has since gone from strength to strength in her career.
She explained that Mahareng Publishing, which is a part of Central Media Group, will continue to be a true representative of the local community it serves while providing exceptional value for its clients. “The hyper-local print products we offer give me great joy because they are rooted in the community and local SMMEs,” Fourie said.
Developing a career in the fast-paced sales industry over the years has given her sharp insight into local markets. She is enthusiastic about the company remaining one of purpose and influence in the local landscape.
“Our publications will be even more involved with SMMEs going forward. We’ve just come out with Best of Bloemfontein Readers’ Choice Awards (BOB) 2020, where, despite Covid-19 and lockdown, we were able to get 130 000 votes. This shows that we have a purpose in the market and play a part in influencing decisions,” Fourie added.
The company, like many local businesses, felt the immediate impact of lockdown and the pandemic. However, the key to making it through the crisis has been the willingness to adjust to new situations. “I think it was Winston Churchill who said: ‘Never waste a good crisis’. That sums up how we handled everything. So Mahareng Publishing is focused on representing the community it serves.”
The company’s publications continue to serve both local and national advertisers while being the advertising choice of all five major South African retailers. With FNB as a sponsor for three consecutive years, BOB is in its 8th year and continues to attract major engagement from locals.
“It’s important to stay connected to the community because that’s where the most impact takes place. It contributes to the sustainability of the local economy because indirectly we are all responsible for each other,” Fourie concluded.
Nomaqhawe Mtebele
