Karoo Times launched, bringing a new voice for the region's business, land, and life

Karoo Times, a new online newspaper dedicated to the business, economic and agricultural life of the Karoo region, officially launched on April 1. The digital publication provides locally rooted coverage of the Karoo’s agriculture, tourism, and policy developments, offering a voice to one of the country’s most unique and underrepresented regions.

A division of the national business media platform Africa InTouch News, in the stable of iOlogue Media, Karoo Times aims to bring quality journalism to the semi-arid plains and small towns that power much of South Africa’s food and fibre economy. From sheep farmers and guesthouse owners to entrepreneurs and policy-makers, the publication spotlights the people and enterprises shaping the Karoo’s future.

“The Karoo deserves its own media platform, one that celebrates its economic contribution while keeping an eye on its challenges,” said editor, Naomi Roebert. “We want to give voice to the business owners, farmers, workers, and families who call this land home.”

What makes Karoo Times different

While several publications offer general news in and around the region, Karoo Times sets itself apart with a strong editorial focus on:

• Agriculture and land, including crop and livestock trends, soil health, and innovations in farming;
• Business and enterprise news for small-town entrepreneurs, regional trade, infrastructure, and rural finance;
• Tourism and hospitality highlighting agritourism, heritage routes, guesthouses, and eco-tourism;
• Policy and development trends surrounding renewable energy, land reform, public works, and municipal accountability.

Readers can expect weekly features, pricing updates, interviews with local changemakers, and opinion pieces on the future of rural economies in South Africa.

“We are confident in our appointment of Naomi Roebert as editor of Karoo Times. Her deep love and respect for the Karoo, its people, and its history make her the ideal person to lead this new publication. Through her leadership, we believe Karoo Times will give businesses in the region the opportunity to step into the spotlight and expand their reach far beyond their current networks,” said Anchen Coetzee, CEO and founder of iOlogue Media. She continued, “Naomi wears many hats in the company. She is not only a seasoned writer for iOlogue Media but also serves as the Marketing and Operations Manager for Africa InTouch. Her wealth of experience in storytelling will be an exciting addition to this evolving region. One with many stories worth telling.”

Who it’s for

Karoo Times is written for a broad but discerning audience: farmers, business owners, professionals, tourism operators, policy-makers, investors, and anyone invested in the land and life of the Karoo.

Where to read

The publication is now live under its own banner on Africa InTouch News and also on Facebook.

For story leads, marketing enquiries, or information about iOlogue Media’s services, please contact Naomi via email or WhatsApp.

Since the launch of Karoo Times, a number of articles have already been published. Here are a few that capture the unique challenges, innovations, and voices of the region and are well worth the read:

• Can the Karoo become South Africa's saffron hub?
• Carnarvon sees astro-tourism in its stars
• Wine from the dust, and the vintners reshaping the Karoo
• Inside the Karoo's green gold heist
• Karooooo in the crosswinds as Mozambique unrest shakes up strategy
• Astrophysics meets agriculture, but who wins the Karoo?
• Sweet success for the Karoo's koeksister economy
• Karoo farmers plug into agri-tech to outsmart climate chaos
• How AfrikaBurn ignites the Tankwa's economy
• Why Africa's next unicorn could come from the Karoo

Don’t forget to share your favourite Karoo Times story on social media using #KarooTimes.