23 November 2005

South Africa has won its bid to host to the 2007 World Association of Newspapers (WAN) 60th congress. The event will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and attended by more than 1 300 newspaper publishers and editors.

The bid, spearheaded by the Newspaper Association of South Africa, includes hosting the 14th World Editors Forum and Expo Services for 2007.

WAN has a membership of 72 national newspaper associations and about 18 000 publications. South Africa's bid was endorsed in a letter by President Thabo Mbeki and was presented earlier this month in Copenhagen, Denmark by Print Media SA's Natasha Volan and Johnnic Communications CEO Connie Molusi.

Molusi said the event was an exciting opportunity for both South Africa's newspaper industry and the country, and was confident of hosting a successful congress.

"With the renewed focus on growth and development taking place in Africa, we believe this event will be a significant occasion for the continent and is an opportunity to encourage greater participation from publishers, editors and media decision makers from Africa," Molusi said.

SouthAfrica.info reporter

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	The World Association of Newspapers has a membership of 72 national newspaper associations and about 18 000 publications (Image: WAN)

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	Cape Town Convention Centre  World Association of Newspapers