Afro Magazine
Afro magazine 1.: A magazine about contemporary culture in Africa, published by Daddy buy me a pony, South Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa
12 Spim Street, 8001
Email: masha@thepresident.co.za
- Category: Culture
- Format: Variable format
- Web: http://www.thepresident.co.za
Exclusive Interview
Afro
What is your magazine about?
New Africa.
Who’s behind the project? Tell us about the founders, their backgrounds and their motivations!
Peet Pienaar, I was bored with the West and wanted to learn more about my our own continent, there is no better way to learn about something than doing a project around it.
How do you produce one issue? How much time do you spend on it? How big is your team?
It sometimes takes one year as I only do it when I have time to work on it. I work with about 10 writers per issue from all over Africa, around 4 photographers and myself.
What have been the important steps in the life of your magazine?
The first issue was more about discovering the subject and finding the connections, in the second issue I could work beyond the obvious and start to be more selective and in the 3rd issue I could be more brave and start to challenge the subject.
Which are the key ingredients for the success of your magazine?
To create the magazine totally for myself, very good writers, very good photographers, and then of course Africa.
What are the difficulties you are confronted with? What would be “the” thing to help the magazine to improve?
To find money for each issue, as its life is totally depends on the generosity of people with too much money.
Where do you want the magazine to be in five years?
I want it to be in the same place as now, I never want it to grow beyond what it is, for that I would rather start a totally new magazine.
Tell us about your audience! Who are the readers of your magazine?
Its very young Africans who want to believe Africa is better than the West. And also some europeans who loves anything from Africa because its entertaining for them.
Is remaining independent important to you? Is it part of the strategy?
Yes totally, with this project it can never be anything but independent.
What’s your relationship with advertisement? Does it influence your content? Do you care about advertising-driven-editorials?
I dont have any advertising in the magazine and the brands that sponsor it doesn't have any control over the magazine.
What do you think of your issue 01, when you look back at it?
I think it was very naive...
Magazine favorite(s) that inspired you in your career.
Job van Bennekom is a big inspiration.
Do you keep old copies of magazines? If so, what is your favorite in your collection?
No.
How many magazines do you buy / get / read each month? Do you qualify yourself a maniac?
I don't really buy magazines.
We are compiling answers from some of the most innovative magazine makers around the world today. Who else should we ask?
Job van Bennekom from Butt magazine and Fantastic man.
Answered by peet pienaar (designer/editor)
Magazine: afro- magazine
Email: peet@thepresident.co.za
Date: 03-11-2008
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