About us

The Village News is a free weekly community newspaper for the Whale Coast and the Overstrand. Every Thursday, at least 7 000 printed copies go out to 200+ distribution points across the Whale Coast, from Rooi-Els to Gansbaai. There is a paper every Thursday without exception, including Christmas and public holidays.

You can also read every story at thevillagenews.co.za, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Our story

De Waal Steyn founded The Village News in Hermanus in 2015. He started it as an independent community newspaper that would share good news and celebrate local people, businesses and everyday heroes. It soon became part of life along the coast. De Waal died in July 2026, and the paper he started carries on.

Today we cover the whole of community life: local news and municipal matters, the environment, sport, schools, business, food and wine, and what’s on along the coast.

Awards

  • AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards 2025: in the national top ten in three categories. Newspaper of the Year (free publications), 8th. Carl de Villiers, 5th for Editorial Comment and Columns. News Photography, 8th.
  • Best Independent Newspaper, Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ).
  • Community Impact Award, Hermanus Business Chamber Service Excellence Awards, 2024.
  • Local recognition from Hermanus Rotary, the Mayoral Awards and tourism organisations.

Who owns the paper

The Village News (Pty) Ltd has, since May 2026, been owned by Grit, a Pretoria-based investment firm whose CEO is Henri de Kock. The owner does not decide what the paper publishes: that is the editor’s decision alone.

How the paper is paid for

The Village News is free to readers. It is paid for by advertising. Adverts and sponsored articles are always labelled, and advertisers have no say over our news coverage.

Get in touch

Read Our team, Our ethics and standards, our Editorial and complaints policy and our Corrections and takedown policy.