The End Of The Buchter?

The Buchter News is a legacy, it is a long standing, 22-year-old, ever developing pillar of the local community. It has been run by volunteers for the people of Lüderitz for over two decades, initially providing the only source of news to the town and adapting to fit the community following the introduction of television, radio and national newspapers as Lüderitz developed.

Seeped in history The Buchter has documented influential news stories in Lüderitz; Namibia’s independence, the development of new infrastructure, business and buildings, presidential visits, festivals, national park openings and the rises and falls of the economy, as well as the equally important smaller stories- watching learners pass their exams, charities raise money, the development projects of local people, births, deaths and marriages and the general hustle and bustle of the ‘diamond in the desert’.

In recent years The Buchter News has evolved, becoming a full colour newsprint paper, going online and being part of some important local developments such as the opening of the Sperrgebiet National Park and the Waterfront Development. In the future the paper was looking to become the local paper not only for Lüderitz but for Rosh Pinah and eventually the entire Karas region. However, in the past month Free Press Namibia, the papers printers, was sold to a new company who have increased printing prices to almost double what we were previously paying. Kleine Kuppe, the printer that The Buchter was previously using, has also increased in price and is now as costly as the current printer. This news, combined with the loss of The Buchter News’s main sponsors earlier this year following the October ’08 credit crunch, has meant that there is a serious pressure on The Buchter’s rapidly depleting bank account. To make matters worse The Buchter News appears to no longer be of interest to many within Lüderitz and subscriptions and readership numbers have fallen since the initial close of Elizabeth Bay Mine in December. At the current rate that it is losing money, your local paper will be bankrupt within 4 months time. Is this the end of The Buchter News?

We need your help!

What’s your opinion? Do you think The Buchter News’s time is up? What direction do you think it should go in? If Lüderitz’s local paper is going to survive then we need YOUR help. ANY financial or material support is more than welcome and this doesn’t just include donations- help The Buchter by placing an advertisement which will not only provide the paper with an income but will also boost your business.

If you are not reading The Buchter News then tell us why not- what would you like to see in your local paper? Think there should be more news from where you live? Then tell us! Send us updates, bulletins and tip offs. This paper depends on Lüderitz, don’t let it collapse!

If you have any suggestions, advice or help then please contact us in one of the following ways: Post: PO Box 470, Lüderitz

Tel: +264 63 204 171

Fax: 088167154

Email: info@buchternews.com

Website: www.buchternews.