Cheeky Vrye Weekblad makes a comeback as digital publication

The the historic Afrikaans newspaper that investigated the apartheid-era government a quarter of a century ago is making a return.

Vrye Weekblad, the historic anti-apartheid Afrikaans newspaper which shut down 25 years ago, is making a comeback.

Tiso Blackstar Group confirmed that founding editor Max du Preez would be at the helm of the publication once again.

Vrye Weekblad is well-known for its expose on the Vlakplaas death squads.

The publication shut down in 1994 as a result of a protracted lawsuit against it.

Du Preez will work with the author of The President's Keepers Jacques Pauw and Anneliese Burgess, author of _Heist! _as co-editors.

Burgess says the publication hopes to cater to a market of neglected, progressive Afrikaans readers who want investigative journalism, insightful analysis and the latest on current affairs.

The idea is to bring back the weekly newspaper that is written in Afrikaans,in the kind of Afrikaans that people speak.

Anneliese Burgess, author and co-editor of Vrye Weekblad

There's a kind of irreverence, to irritate those in power, but it's mainly to bring insight.

Anneliese Burgess, author and co-editor of Vrye Weekblad

The selling point it that it's going to be in the language of our hearts, which is Afrikaans.

Anneliese Burgess, author and co-editor of Vrye Weekblad

There'll be some hardcore investigations, but our focus is to be a 'New Yorker' for Afrikaans.

Anneliese Burgess, author and co-editor of Vrye Weekblad

Vrye Weekblad will be published in a digital format on a weekly basis.

The site is already live readers can register on the website to get updates in the lead-up to the launch.

The first six editions of Vrye Weekblad will be free with the first edition set to debut in April.

Listen to the discussion on The John Maytham Show:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : Cheeky Vrye Weekblad makes a comeback as digital publication

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