Advertise in the South African Conversations Magazine

Rates for a print run of 10,000 copies

• Full page: R1.00 per copy → R10,000
• Double Page Spread: R1.94 per copy → R19,400
• 1/2 Page (horizontal): R0.67 per copy → R6,700
• 1/3 Page (vertical): R0.53 per copy → R5,300
• Inside front cover: R1.33 per copy → R5,300
• Inside back cover: R1.27 per copy → R12,700
• Outside back cover: R2.00 per copy → R20,000
• Competition sponsorship: R0.50 per copy → R5,000 + prize

Download the Rate Card here.

Discounts

• 7.5% discount on a 3 to 5-month contract
• 10% discount on a 6 to 11-month contract
• 15% discount on a 12-month contract
• NPOs qualify for a 10% discount in addition to the other discounts.
• Ask about bundle discounts for concurrent bookings across initiatives.

Notes

• Publication ad rates include delivery of one copy.

• Advertising and advertorial rates are the same.

• Advertising is priced per copy × the actual print quantity, which means that advertiser investment is directly tied to our circulation and social impact.

• Invoices are submitted with a printer quantity-verification certificate.

• Advertisers set a maximum monthly budget ceiling in their booking form. We will notify the advertiser when confirmed pre-print orders for any issue reach that ceiling, giving them the option to increase their ceiling or cancel without penalty, provided this is done before we go to print with the next issue.

• Rates shown are rounded and exclude VAT.

Size: Double Page Spread
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 275 x 420
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 285 x 430

Size: Full Page Spread
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 275 x 210
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 285 x 220

Size: 1/2 Horizontal
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 105 x 275
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 115 x 285

Size: 1/3 Vertical (in text)
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 227 x 55
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 285 x 80

Size: 1/3 Vertical (in text)
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 227 x 55
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 285 x 80

Size: Page sponsorship
Trim (mm) (Actual ad size), Height x width: 40 x 210
Bleed (mm), Height x width: 50 x 220

• • Issue date: The month on the cover of the magazine. Example: October 2023.
  • Advertising & advertorial brief (for us to create) closing date: 45 days before the first day of the month on the cover. Example: 17 August 2023.
  • Space booking closing date: Four weeks before the first day of the month on the cover. Example: 4 – 8 September.
  • Print-ready advertising & advertorial material deadline: Three weeks before the first day of the month on the cover. Example: 11 – 15 September
  • Inserts delivered to printers: Two weeks before the first day of the month on the cover. Example: 18 – 22 September.
  • Available for distribution: End of the previous month/beginning of the month on the cover of a particular issue.

  Please confirm space bookings and print-ready material dates for each issue, as they will vary depending on public holidays and where weekends fall.

  Though we plan to restart the magazine with an October 2023 issue, we will only re-start once we have:

  • Sufficient advertising bookings to sustain the printing of the magazine.
  • Sufficient pre-print orders from participating NPOs to warrant a print run. This ensures that YOU only pay for advertising that will actually be distributed. We do not pulp any of our publications.

  If you don’t want to commit to a contract without knowing when it will commence, but you’d like to know when we’ve gathered sufficient pre-print advertising support to start the magazine again, Click here to send us an email.   In your email, please include the following info:

  • Your name
  • Your designation
  • Your company/organisation
  • Your email address
  • Your cell number
  • Your tel number

   

• Our advertising is priced per copy × the actual quantity of magazines printed, so your investment is directly tied to our circulation and social impact.
• You control your budget: set a print-quantity ceiling in your booking form, protecting you from unexpected overruns. We will notify you when confirmed pre-print orders for any issue reach that ceiling, giving you the option to increase your ceiling or cancel without penalty, provided this is done before we go to print with the next issue.
• Per-copy rates remain locked in for the duration of your contract.
• No risk: we invoice only when each issue goes to print, not when you sign the contract.
• We print (and invoice) only what we have pre-print orders for, so you pay only for copies actually in circulation. We do not pulp.
• Invoices include a printer quantity-verification certificate confirming the exact quantity printed and invoiced.

Why we do not use ABC verification:

ABC verification is built for traditional publishing models that print large batches, distribute widely, and manage returns. Our model is different. We print only on confirmed pre-orders from our Distribution Hubs, we have zero returns, and every issue is supported by a printer-issued quantity-verification certificate.

We also do not estimate readership using multipliers such as ‘readers per copy’. Our circulation transparency is based solely on the actual number of magazines ordered, printed and distributed. Advertisers receive direct, issue-by-issue confirmation of the exact quantity printed for their booking, giving a clear and verifiable measure of reach without assumptions.

Because this level of verification is inherent in our publishing process, using ABC would simply duplicate what we already provide—at significant cost. As a social enterprise, we prefer to allocate those avoided costs to job creation, where the impact is far greater.

For advertisers, this means full transparency, verified circulation, and the confidence that your investment supports both reach and meaningful social benefit.

1. Confidentiality.
   The Publisher treats all booking details and unpublished advertising content as confidential.
2. Rates
   Rates may change without notice but are locked in once the Client submits a confirmed booking.
3. Liability
   • The Client is liable for all invoices arising from their bookings.
   • Agencies must ensure they hold a valid mandate from the Advertiser and remain liable for payment if the Advertiser defaults.
4. Granting of an account facility.
   All credit facilities are subject to approval. If a credit application is declined, the Client must sign a debit order in accordance with our banking policies.
5. Provision of advertising material
   
   • Clients must supply material according to our specifications and deadlines.
   • The Publisher reserves the right to ensure that all advertising placed in its publications conforms to a high standard in terms of content, appearance and technical accuracy.
   • Non-compliant material must be corrected within the timeframes provided.
     Where insufficient time exists to correct non-compliant material, the Publisher may postpone the advertisement to a later issue.
     Any creative or production costs required to correct material will be for the Client’s account.
   • Changes relating to space, content or creative must be confirmed in writing at least 10 working days before the material deadline to advertising@southafricanconversations.co.za
6. Budget Ceiling
   • Clients set a maximum monthly budget ceiling in the booking form.
   • The Publisher will notify the Client if projected or confirmed pre-print orders for any issue approach that ceiling.
   • The Client may then choose to increase the ceiling or cancel the booking (without penalty) before the next issue goes to print.
7. Cancellations.
   • The Client may cancel a space booking by submitting a written request by email to advertising@southafricanconversations.co.za and confirming the cancellation telephonically, provided that such cancellation request is received at least 10 working days before the the material deadline for the relevant issue.
   • If cancellation occurs before the Client’s budget ceiling is reached, a 25% cancellation fee applies.
   • If cancellation occurs after the ceiling has been reached, no cancellation fee applies.
8. Limitation of liability
   • If the Publisher delays or fails to publish, the remedy is the placement of the advertisement in a later issue or comparable publication from South African Conversations, or reimbursement of amounts already paid for that specific booking.
   • The Publisher’s total liability is limited to the amount paid by the Client for the advertisement in question.
   • The Publisher is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of sales, opportunity or reputation.
9. Indemnification
   • Clients warrant that their advertisements do not infringe any rights or laws.
   • Clients indemnify the Publisher and related third parties (printers, distributors, sellers) against any claims arising from the advertisement or material supplied by the Client.
10. Payment terms
    • Invoices are issued when a magazine goes to print and are payable on or before the last business day of the following month.
    • Agency commissions are forfeited if payment is not received within the specified period.
    • Interest of 2.5% per month will be levied on all overdue accounts, without recourse.
    • Clients are responsible for reasonable recovery costs, including legal fees.
11. Disputes
    • Parties must attempt to resolve disputes urgently and in good faith.
    • Failing resolution, disputes proceed to mediation, then arbitration, in accordance with South African law.
    • Notices sent to the email addresses supplied are deemed received within seven days.
12. Commencement and duration
    Agreements take effect when a booking is submitted and apply from the first issue booked through all subsequent placements under that booking.