South Africa’s News Powerhouses: A Look at the Nation’s Most Visited Publications  

South Africa’s News Powerhouses: A Look at the Nation’s Most Visited Publications 

In the dynamic world of digital journalism, South Africa’s media landscape is dominated by a handful of influential online news platforms that capture the daily attention of hundreds of thousands. According to data from the Interactive Advertising Bureau South Africa (IAB SA) for March 2025, the nation’s most visited news websites reflect both diversity in content and a growing appetite for accessible, real-time information. 

At the forefront is News24, a general news outlet that towers above its competitors with nearly 700,000 daily visitors. Its dominance can be attributed to its broad coverage, mobile accessibility, and consistent breaking news updates—elements that have cemented its place as South Africa’s digital front page. 

Trailing behind but still commanding significant audiences is IOL (Independent Online), another general news provider, attracting just over 400,000 daily readers. Its legacy print affiliation and multilingual offerings make it a staple among a broad demographic. 

Daily Maverick, renowned for its in-depth investigative reporting and analysis, ranks third. Its more niche audience, drawn to long-form journalism and political insight, illustrates a shift toward quality over quantity in reader preferences. 

BusinessTech and MyBroadband round out the top five for business and technology news, respectively, suggesting that South Africa’s digital readers are not only news-hungry but also financially and technologically curious. Both sites cater to more specialised audiences yet remain vital sources of information in their sectors.