About us

To inform, engage and empower local
communities

DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette has been the heartbeat of the Helderberg for mnine decades. DistrictMail was established as a newspaper in 1928, with the goal of keeping the communities it serves informed. Helderberg Gazette was founded in 1998, as a free title distributed to the same communities.

From municipal news and crime to community collaborations, victories on the sporting fields and events true to the Basin, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette is committed to sharing the stories that define our diverse communities.

As the leading local publication, we make it our duty to inform, inspire, and connect the residents of Helderberg.

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.

Our community focus

DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette has always been community-focused, serving as a vital link between the people of the Helderberg. The newspaper emphasises its community focus through:

Our team

The DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette team comprises a dedicated team of journalists, advertising representatives and creatives who are passionate about providing meaningful news coverage and advertising solutions to the people of the Helderberg.

Key team members:

  • General manager: Aletta Ellis – With over 21 years of experience in the community newspaper industry, Alet currently serves as a general manager for the Western Cape community newspapers, leading a dedicated team to provide trusted local news and connect with the community. Passionate about both the impact of local journalism and the team that drives it, Alet is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive environment while helping to shape the future of the community they serve.
  • Editorial publisher: Tasmin Cupido – Tasmin Cupido has worked in the media industry for close to 18 years, starting off as a journalist in 2007. In her time in the industry, she has worked at several publications, including People’s Post, TygerBurger and DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, plying her trade as a general reporter, senior reporter, team leader, production editor, news editor and editor. At the end of 2021, she assumed the role of editorial publisher of Helderberg and Eikestad Media, which includes the free print publications DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette and Eikestadnuus.
  • Sales manager: Muhammad Brinkhuis – Muhammad Brinkhuis is a seasoned Sales Manager with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and exceeding targets. Currently at Novus Media, he oversees the sales strategy and performance of the District Mail & Helderberg Gazette, and EikestadNuus publications. His extensive experience spans over two decades, including significant roles at Media 24/Boland Media, The Aleit Group, and Virgin Active Health Clubs.

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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