About us
To Inform, Engage and Empower Local
Communities
Mthatha Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of Mthatha and surrounding towns and villages for almost a decade. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 70,000 free copies delivered across the former Transkei area every week. It is also distributed once a month in East London.
From local governance to community heroes and celebrations, Mthatha Express is committed to sharing the stories that define this region. As the leading local publication, we make it our duty to inform, inspire, and connect the residents and give them a voice and platform for issues that are close to their homes and hearts.

Our mission
Our mission is to deliver reliable, hyper-local news in print and online that informs, engages, and empowers our communities. We are committed to accountability, cultivating and supporting our staff, and building lasting relationships with our readers and clients.
Our Values
Respect
Bravery
Integrity
Inclusivity
Excellence
Innovation
What we stand for
Community Connection
We believe that the strength of our town lies in the bonds between its people. Our stories aim to foster these connections by celebrating local achievements and shedding light on the issues that matter to our residents.
Integrity and Independence
We are committed to maintaining editorial independence and integrity. We strive for balanced reporting and provide a fair representation of all sides of a story.
Championing Local Voices
We are here for the people of our local community. Whether it’s highlighting the success of local businesses, covering school events, or amplifying the voices of community leaders. We are proud to be a champion for our readers.
Expand Your Reach Across Our Community Publications
Promote your business and get national coverage across multiple trusted local publications.
Our Community Focus
We are dedicated to highlighting the voices, challenges, and successes of our local communities. Through in-depth reporting, feature stories, and investigative pieces, we strive to inform, uplift, and connect those in our distribution area. Explore the latest community stories below and see what’s happening near you.
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Community calls for reopening of rural school
One of the young people from the Mnyameni locality in Centane has appealed to the Department of Education to reopen Dlulisa Senior Secondary School in…
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Walter Sisulu University medical school officially launched in Lusikisiki
The Walter Sisulu University Rural Clinical School officially launched at St Elizabeth Regional Hospital in Lusikisiki on February 4, addressing healthcare shortages in rural Eastern…
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Eastern Cape author tackles youth drug abuse through literature
MTHATHA – An author from Zimbane Valley in Mthatha, Lizo Gwebityala, has released a booklet titled Roots and Awareness, aimed at educating children about substance…
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Onezwa Mbola shares festive, farm-to-table joy with Eastern Cape food garden
A crackling fire, armfuls of freshly harvested vegetables and the company of local farmers set the scene for popular South African content creator and chef…
Our Team
EP Media and its Express newspaper titles are led by a dedicated team of journalists, editors, and community members who are passionate about providing meaningful news coverage to our readers.
EP Media team members:
- EP Media General Manager: Bettie Giliomee-Rossouw – With over 30 years of experience in journalism and the media industry, Bettie leads the EP Media team with a commitment to fairness and local storytelling, while ensuring a sustainable business for local news to be accessible to all.
- Regional Editor: Zeldré Swanepoel – With more than 20 years in journalism, Zeldré brings her expertise in community journalism, ensuring that every voice in our communities is represented.
- Regional Sales and Marketing Manager: Nicolette Thomas – With over 30 years of experience in the media industry, Nicolette leads the EP Media advertising sales team and coordinates all our marketing activities.
- Regional Office Manager: Teresa Renken – With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Teresa, is the first point of contact for our readers and advertisers.
- Regional Operations and IT manager: Michael Healy – With over 30 years’ experience in the media industry, Michael brings his IT and operational skills to ensure that our publications benefit from all the advancements in IT.

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Our Connection with Novus Media
We are proud to be part of the Novus Media Network, which connects local communities across South Africa. As part of a larger network, we maintain editorial independence while benefiting from the support and resources of a nationwide media organization. For information on our overarching policies, visit the Novus Media Policy Pages.
Join the Conversation
We thrive on community interaction. We encourage our readers to submit letters, share opinion pieces, and reach out to us with story ideas that reflect the spirit of our town.
Have a story idea or feedback for us? Contact Us Today and let us know how we can serve you better.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
Thank you for making us your trusted news source. Together, we can continue to keep our community informed, inspired, and connected.
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