Bongiwe Tshiqi has been confirmed as Bona’s new editor. Over the past five months she has been acting deputy editor, and together with the Bona team, has ensured the continued smooth production of the magazine.
Bona, South Africa’s only publication available in four languages: English, isiZulu, seSotho
and isiXhosa, provides its audience with the inspiration, advice and confidence they need to be better at everything they touch.
“I’ve always loved the Bona brand, even before I joined the team,” says Bongiwe, “and although the magazine has a perceived older audience the readership is actually quite young. Over 50% of our readers are under the age of 34. For me, the importance of this magazine is to have conversations with black women that they didn’t necessarily have growing up.
“We’re addressing, for example, issues of self-identity, self-love, buying property or a car; how to achieve sustainable success in your chosen career and finding love, within or out of marriage. We’re digging into real issues that today’s modern woman needs answers to. It’s almost a printed version of a dinner party where everything goes!
The magazine salutes women across different life stages, body shapes and backgrounds – they may be single parents in their 30’s or women in their 70’s, but each one is beautiful and our intention is to assist our readers to accept themselves, while also giving them the tools to make any improvements they wish to” she says.
The magazine continues to explore issues related to food; home; family; celebrity; entertainment; fashion; beauty and health.
Bongiwe joined the Caxton family in 2015 as Bona’s digital editor before being appointed deputy editor and now editor. She studied journalism at the Durban University of Technology, before working for various media, including East Coast Radio, Saltwater Girl and Women’s Health magazines.
Caxton Magazine’s General Manager Anton Botes adds: “Bongiwe’s broad experience has enabled her to develop an excellent understanding of editorial content, both digital and print, and we look forward to seeing this reflected in the Bona brand. We’re confident that she’ll continue to elevate the brand and we look forward to seeing her personal touch reflected on the magazines’ pages.”