Oh, City Press. The newspaper that has been giving us the news, the gossip, and occasionally making us question our life choices since the dawn of time (or, at least since 1982). From its bold stance against apartheid to its controversial headlines that have made us spit out our coffee in shock, City Press has been a true South African icon. But now, it’s entering a new era: going fully digital. That's right, folks—no more chasing the paper down the street as it flies away in the wind. Instead, it’s all about tapping your phone like the tech-savvy, modern individuals we’ve all become.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the role City Press played back in the day—no, not in the 2000s, but when “apartheid” was still a thing. Insert dramatic gasp Yep, City Press didn’t just quietly report on the news; it was out there calling out the system like a true rebel.
Imagine it: apartheid-era South Africa, government censorship everywhere, people desperately trying to find out what was really going on. Then enters City Press—like the cool kid in class who doesn’t care what the teacher says, and tells the truth, even if it means sneaking around the principal’s office. Cue the theme music City Press stood up to the system, delivering stories about the injustices that others were too afraid to cover. It wasn’t just a newspaper; it was a freedom fighter of the media world. Talk about a superhero in disguise.
Fast forward to the ‘90s, and South Africa was going through its big makeover—think of it as the country getting a glow-up, like when you go from braces to a full-on smile. In this post-apartheid era, City Press had a new job: hold the government accountable while we all tried to figure out what democracy actually meant. And, to be honest, City Press nailed it. The government wasn’t always happy about their in-your-face reporting, but City Press didn’t care. It was there for the people, asking all the right questions and doing what any good newspaper does—spilling the tea.
And then… cue dramatic music… came the infamous Jacob Zuma painting saga. In 2006, City Press dropped a bombshell that nobody saw coming. They published an image of a painting depicting Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed. Cue jaw drops everywhere You’d think they had just dropped an entire skyscraper on the nation, and in a way, they did. People were livid. Some were like, “What is this?!” and others were like, “We’re offended!”
But, as we all know, City Press didn’t just cover the usual political headlines—they were going for the big fish. Enter the “we’re covering this because it’s news” attitude. Fast-forward to ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu calling for a boycott of City Press. And what was the reason for this boycott? You guessed it—the Jacob Zuma exposed genitals saga. People were either fuming or laughing, and City Press was there, causing a scene, stirring the pot, and making sure everyone was talking about them. And that’s when you know you’ve made it as a paper: when people can’t stop talking about your content (even if they’re slightly annoyed).
Now, here we are. City Press has decided to make the leap into the digital age. That’s right, no more sitting in the parking lot of Pick n Pay, praying they still have a copy of the Sunday edition in stock. Nope. Now, you can pull up City Press on your phone, tablet, or whatever device you’re definitely looking at while pretending to pay attention to your boss during meetings. You’re welcome.
But let’s be real for a second: there’s a lot of good, but also some very questionable things about going fully digital. Sure, it’s easier to get your news on the go, but now we have to actually look at screens. Goodbye, paper cuts. Goodbye, ink stains. But hello to being one click away from all the drama and scandals, any time, any place. In fact, you might find yourself scrolling through City Press while you’re on a date, laughing at the headline that says “Auntie Lindiwe caught wearing a dress from 2004.” Yes, it’s real news. Deal with it.
But hey, let’s not forget the positives: no more wasting paper, no more late-night trips to the corner shop just to catch up on the latest gossip (unless you’re doing a late-night “scroll-through” of your social media feed—no judgment). You can read City Press anywhere, anytime, and the best part? You get to brag to your friends about how you read the news in a “smart” way.
Now, let’s take a moment to give a huge shoutout to the journalists behind the headlines—the real MVPs who spend hours, days, and sometimes weeks digging up the stories that would otherwise be left untold. These are the folks who risk it all, who ask the tough questions, who make us laugh, cry, and sometimes question our entire existence with their words. You know who you are, and we see you. From uncovering political scandals to shining a light on the issues that matter, these journalists are the backbone of City Press, and it’s about time they got their due props.
Whether it’s a hard-hitting exposé or an offbeat story that makes you chuckle, these journalists ensure that City Press stays true to its mission: to inform, challenge, and entertain. And for that, we raise our glasses to you. Keep doing your thing, and keep making us gasp and giggle all at once.
In conclusion, while we’ll miss the comforting feel of a newspaper in hand and the occasional ink stain on our favorite shirt, there’s no denying that City Press has earned its spot in the digital world. From its revolutionary work during apartheid to being the first to break the juiciest stories, City Press has done it all. You’ve challenged us, made us laugh, made us mad, and, most importantly, kept us informed.
So here’s to City Press, the newspaper that’s been with us through thick and thin, through the controversies, through the political scandals, and now, through the Wi-Fi-connected, screen-filled, #NoInkStains future. Keep on doing the amazing work, and don’t forget to send us a “breaking news” alert when the next scandal drops!
Cheers, City Press. We may never get used to the new digital format, but we’ll keep reading—and keep laughing.
