Tribute was previously published by Nothemba Media (formerly Penta), which was liquidated in 2003. Grandbridge Trading, the new owners of Tribute Communications and a subsidiary of Baobab, bought the title directly from the liquidators.
Publisher Modise, speaking on the decision to bring back the magazine, says there is currently no serious consumer-lifestyle magazine targeting professional African men and women in South Africa.
"The decision to bring back the title was an easy one for Tribute Communications. Tribute wants to address the issues that are still of concern to African people, highlighted in recent surveys, such as the ongoing conflict between maintaining a solid connection with one's culture while trying to access the added extras based on aspirations and an increasingly affluent lifestyle.
"We will also not be excluding topics of identity, work, play and excellence; issues that are bound to have an impact in the life of the reader."
According to the publishers, the content and styling will be more niche than before and driving the magazine will be the quality of the editorial content, photography and illustrations. There will also be lifestyle features pertinent to the mindset of prospective readers. Featuring leadership issues on social, community and business levels, Tribute will compete generally in the consumer lifestyle magazine sector.
"At the time of liquidation, Tribute had been selling 15 000 copies and our intention is to achieve a circulation of 20 000 copies per month. We will be printing 25 000 copies," says Modise.
Distribution will be through Junk Mail, as well as through the services of individuals in the townships who will deliver copies to shops in order to reach professionals and entrepreneurs - a method of encouraging entrepreneurship.
The new owners are continuing the tradition of the Tribute forums. The first of the forums, titled "South Africa 2006 - 2036: From a Developing Country to a First World State", took place during the pre-launch phase.
The outcome of this seminar, in which the question "What of the next three decades, what can ordinary South Africans do to make this a reality?" was posed, is reported in the comeback issue.
