The New Age (South African newspaper)
The New Age was a South African national daily newspaper owned by TNA Media, part of the Gupta family. It was launched in 2010, with its first edition published on 6 December 2010. The paper was printed in broadsheet format with 24–32 colour pages, cost R3.50, and had its headquarters in Midrand. It was later re-branded as Afro Voice in April 2018, and the last edition appeared on 29 June 2018.
The owners said The New Age would present a positive image of the ANC and focus on constructive news, while covering national and provincial events as well as Africa and international news, sports, business, entertainment, lifestyle, science and technology.
The newspaper’s editors changed several times: Vuyo Mvoko was the first editor but resigned before the first edition on 19 October 2010; Henry Jeffreys took over in December 2010 and left in May 2011; he was followed by Ryland Fisher, who was replaced in August 2012 by Moegsien Williams.
The New Age did not publish audited circulation figures. Its own site claimed a daily print run of over 100,000, but there were accusations that up to 50,000 copies were pulped daily, with about 50,000 sold via bulk subscriptions to parastatals. AMPS data showed readership of about 39,000 in 2011, about 87,000 in 2011/12, and about 107,000 in 2012.
The paper and its Gupta-backed ownership drew controversy over close ties to President Jacob Zuma and questions of impartiality. Notable incidents included the firing of cartoonist Jeremy Nell in 2012, and 2013 reports that public corporations funded “New Age Business Breakfasts,” which led to a front-page apology to Helen Zille and the Democratic Alliance for not seeking comment. In 2016 the ANC criticized its coverage, and Al Jazeera alleged the outlets owned by the Gupta family gave Zuma-friendly coverage. In 2017, coverage around Zuma’s relationship with the Guptas and the dismissal of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was heavily criticized as biased.
The New Age ceased publication on 29 June 2018 and was rebranded Afro Voice in April that year.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:42 (CET).