About us

To Inform, Engage and Empower Local
Communities

Vista is a regional newspaper based in Welkom, the capital of Matjhabeng Municipality, in the central Free State. Vista, an English/Afrikaans publication, first brought news to the community on 23 April 1971, with the following message on the front page: “We are here to write about the Goldfield and its people. We are here to serve the area in which we find ourselves, and with the help of our readers – who refine us with their constructive criticism.

Vista is a newspaper which each citizen of Matjhabeng claims as their own, irrespective of race or creed. Regardless of political, economic, and social changes – not to mention technological changes – this relationship between Vista, its readers and business partners still holds true today, 54 years later. Through it all, Vista graciously accepted changes and ensured that the news reaches the community it serves. 

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

We are dedicated to highlighting the voices, challenges, and successes of our local communities. Through in-depth reporting, feature stories, and investigative pieces, we strive to inform, uplift, and connect those in our distribution area. Explore the latest community stories below and see what’s happening near you.

Our Team

Vista  is led by a dedicated team who are passionate about providing news and marketing opportunities  that are relevant to the community we serve.

Vista team members:

  • General Manager: Jeannine van Zyl is the general manager of Novus Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape where she leads the organization with a focus on fostering local journalism and community engagement. Her leadership is centered on supporting a collaborative work environment.
  • Sales Manager: Coleen Cilliers is the Sales Manager at Novus Community News, where she drives advertising sales strategies and builds strong relationships with clients. With a keen understanding of the local market, she works to tailor solutions that support the publication’s growth and success.  Coleen  leads the advertising sales team and coordinates all advertising campaigns in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
  • Group Editor: Karen Herbert  is the Group Editor at Novus Community News in the Free State and Northern Cape, overseeing editorial direction and ensuring the production of high-quality content for the publication. With a strong passion for journalism, she plays a key role in shaping the voice of the organization and maintaining its commitment to local news.
  • Vista Editor: Marti Will is the editor of Vista Newspaper, where she oversees editorial content and ensures high-quality reporting. Under her leadership, the newspaper has maintained a strong commitment to providing insightful and timely news coverage.
  • Vista Sales Team leader: Elrina de Beer  is the dynamic sales team leader at Vista, where she drives sales strategies to help grow the newspaper’s reach and impact. With her strong leadership and customer-focused approach, she plays a key role in building relationships and expanding the publication’s local presence.

Never miss an update

Subscribe to our newsletter

Become a Subscriber

Join our community and get more out of your experience! As a subscriber, you can post content, engage in discussions by commenting on articles, and manage your newsletter subscriptions to stay updated on the topics that matter most to you. Sign up today and be part of the conversation!

Sign up now

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