Bona Magazine
Bona Magazine is a South African lifestyle magazine that started in 1956. It covers fashion, beauty, health, relationships and entertainment, and is published monthly by Habari Media.
The magazine is published in English and also in isiXhosa, isiZulu and seSotho to reach more readers, using a cost-saving "black plate exchange" printing method for multiple languages.
Bona is sold mainly in South Africa, but is also available in Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mauritius.
It was founded by the Hyman family and in 1964 it incorporated Zonk!, South Africa’s first black magazine (founded in 1949). The magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. Over time, Bona expanded from English to Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho.
Bona was owned for many years by Caxton and CTP Publishers and Printers. In May 2020, Caxton announced it was leaving magazine publishing, which led to Bona’s temporary closure. In August 2022, Highbury Media (operating as Habari Media) bought the rights and revived the title.
Website: bona.co.za
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 23:23 (CET).