Edition 100

When the idea of creating a community magazine for Ballito came about, our only magazines were estate-based, and we had customers who wanted to reach multiple estates and people not living in estates. We needed a magazine that wasn’t limited in scope, was glossy, made with quality paper and aspirational that everyone would want to read. The North Coast had loads of stories we wanted to tell, so our Ballito community-focused magazine was born.

The yellow chair story

It was Justin’s attempt at doing something different that would get people talking. The yellow is FabMags' brand colour, and the chair was how we initially wanted to distribute our magazines, which would really stand out. It worked really well, except the chairs kept going missing, and stacking magazines on a chair wasn’t the smartest engineering idea. It was a great marketing and brand idea, but not practical (still a fun idea!).

How design changed with the area & us

We prided ourselves on using a design style that followed international design trends, but not overly artistic and an easy read. We’ve always watched what the US and Europe are doing with community magazines and took guidance from there. We remain loyal to telling stories because words are still powerful in conveying important messages. The North Coast has also flourished with stories that combine gorgeous photos and interesting, insightful stories.

How it feels 100 editions later

Honestly, reaching 100 editions feels a little surreal, but we’re extremely proud of the legacy we’ve built around the magazine and what it does to promote our community. Reflecting on 100 editions is a reflection on the many, many stories we’ve told about Ballito; the ebb and flow of its people; its growth; and the tapestry of vibrant, passionate and wonderful people here. 100 editions means we’ve been doing something right, portraying all of that in a way our readers (and advertisers) are proud of, and that feels good.

Some fond memories & stories

Answering this is really difficult because these 100 editions span many years. We started doing a quarterly magazine and then moved to bi-monthly. So, six editions a year have taken many years to reach 100. I recall so many of the stories that Lorinda and I wrote. Initially, I was also the photographer, and I learned how to edit images and write long-format articles. The connection with people is, perhaps, what has stood out to us. Everyone has a story, and each one means something to them, and they trust in us to share it; that is everything to us!