The changing role of Nasionale Pers/Naspers : a South African industry giant

Abstract

This article focuses on South Africa’s biggest publisher – Nasionale Pers/Naspers – whose goals at the time of their establishment in 1914 were strongly focused on cultural aspects. Throughout its history, the company maintained a strong nationalist focus, and close ties with the National Party government, which implemented apartheid in South Africa. The article investigates how this publisher became the large, multinational, influential company it is today, despite historic and economic challenges. Using Bourdieu’s concepts of culture and commerce, it also examines the cultural impact on the Afrikaans language and literature, and the shift from small-scale to large-scale production. In the current climate, Naspers and its imprints have evolved into a global company focused on world-wide impact. Publishing and the media constitute only a small aspect of its business operations, with the company prioritising profit-driven objectives. The changes at Naspers and its imprints reflect a diminishing emphasis on cultural intitiatives and a stronger emphasis on profitability.