Includes web links to local trade fair or show authorities and local newspapers, trade publications, radio/TV/cable information.
Last Published: 7/14/2019

South Africa has a sophisticated advertising industry. Advertising agencies provide a full range of services. Larger-sized agencies are subsidiaries of prominent international agency groups. Major media outlets include television, radio, newspapers and magazines, outdoor advertisements, cinema and the Internet. The deregulation of the airwaves has introduced more competition through additional independent television channel and radio stations.
The key figures in South Africa’s advertising industry are:

  • the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA: http://www.acasa.co.za);
  • the two major media bodies, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB
 http://www.nab.org.za) and the Print Media Association (PMA
 http://www.printmedia.org.za); and
  • the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA, please see below), which regulates South African advertising standards.

Advertising agencies in South Africa are no longer solely remunerated by clients on a commission system. Fee arrangements are becoming increasingly common and specialist media buying companies are taking a growing market share of media purchases in South Africa.  Customarily, the various media offer 16.5% commission to recognized advertising agencies, provided payment is made within the stipulated 45-day period. Additional information can be obtained from the following entity:

Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASASA)
Willowview, Burnside Island Office Park
410, Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park, Johannesburg
Tel:  +27 (0)11 781 2006; Fax: +27 (0)11 781 1616
Website:  http://www.asasa.org.za

Names and addresses of major advertising agents, newspapers, magazines, market research companies, and public relations consultants along with their current rates, can be found in the Advertising and Press Annual of South Africa available from:

Infixion Media (PTY) Ltd. Tel: +27 (0)11 877-6111
Website:  http://www.infixion.co.za

Major English-language South African newspapers include:
Business Day                        http://www.businessday.co.za
The Star                                 http://www.thestar.co.za
The Citizen                            http://www.citizen.co.za
The Sowetan                        http://www.sowetan.co.za
The Times                             http://www.thetimes.co.za
Mail and Guardian              http://www.mg.co.za
Sunday Independent          http://www.sundayindependent.co.za

Major English-language periodicals for business include:
Financial Mail                     http://www.financialmail.co.za/
Engineering News             http://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Several trade exhibition firms operate in South Africa. The Exhibition Association of Southern Africa (EXSA) provides an overview of the Exhibitions and Trade Shows being held in South Africa and can be found at:  http://www.exsa.co.za.

You can also visit the Commercial Service South Africa’s website for links to upcoming trade events and business service providers at:
http://www.export.gov/southafrica/tradeevents/index.asp.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.