The latest distribution figures of the Audit Bureaux for Circulation (ABC) were released last Thursday and they once again showed the growth in popularity for locally produced products.

The Zoutnet group’s two publications, the Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger, again showed healthy growth in circulation, both year-on-year and from the previous quarter. The Limpopo Mirror held on to its position as the province’s most-sought-after community newspaper. Although this newspaper distributes only in the northern parts of the province, it tops the sales figures with average weekly sales of 9 419 copies. This shows a growth of 21,4% compared to 2006 and is also 5% up on the previous quarter’s figures. Its closest rival in the province is the Polokwane-based Northern Review Weekend edition, with figures of 8 602. The province’s only provincial newspaper, the Capricorn Voice, showed a 5,3% year-on-year drop in circulation and now stands on 5 227 copies sold per week.

The Zoutpansberger showed a 10,2% growth in circulation from the previous period and a 3,8% year-on-year increase. This newspaper, which concentrates more on the town markets and farming communities, boasts with an average weekly circulation of 2 780 sold copies.

According to Anton van Zyl, manager of Zoutnet Publishers, the growth in circulation can be attributed to quality content and a large variety of news stories in every edition. "We try and provide readers with the type of news that they want and which is relevant to their everyday lives," he said. Anton also thanked the readers and advertisers for their continued support over the past years. "Our readers and advertisers are extremely loyal to our products, proving that we are doing something right," he said.