Twenty-one years old! That’s a lot of issues, deadlines, stories, people, businesses and, if I’m honest, more than a few very late nights. Yet here we are, celebrating 21 years of Get It, a little magazine that has become a familiar part of our communities.
I still remember the beginning. In 2005, we sat around our boardroom table with our then branch manager, Steve Thomas, discussing the possibility of bringing Get It to Durban. Would we like to be part of it? There was no hesitation. Those first issues took plenty of graft. Weekends disappeared, nights got longer and there was much tweaking, changing, debating and starting again before we were happy to put that first edition into readers’ hands. I still remember sitting around that same table when it was finally finished. There was pride, excitement and a real sense of, ‘we’ve actually done this’.
The faces behind Get It have changed since then, but the way we make the magazine remains a little unusual. There isn’t a dedicated Get It department. We’re part of the wider Caxton Local Media Durban family, with designers, features writer, sales and production staff working across the business products before coming together each month to put Get It together. And I’m probably the exception. I’ve spent most of my working life with the magazine, watching it change, growing with it and, along the way, collecting more memories than I could possibly fit into these pages.
What makes 21 years particularly special is that people still care. Readers tell us when they’ve missed an issue, recommend people and businesses to feature and share their stories with us. Businesses and advertisers have stuck with us, trusted us and helped keep our free local magazine going. That, ultimately, is what keeps us turning up for the next deadline: The people behind the stories, the people who read them and the communities that give us something worth writing
about.
So, for our 21st birthday, we thought it was time to turn the pages in the other direction and introduce you to some of the people who have helped make Get It what it is today.
With gratitude and love, Bronwyn.
NICOLE BéRICHON
Business manager | 7+ years with Get It
Nicole has the enviable perspective of seeing almost every side of Get It come together, from sales and editorial to layout, design and distribution.
One of her earliest Get It memories is also one of her favourites. “During my first year with the magazine, I found myself MCing a reader event at Makaranga. No pressure!” she laughs.
It was, however, the perfect introduction to the people who make Get It what it is.
“Meeting the readers in person gave me a glimpse of the genuine affection people have for the magazine, and I remember our Get It evet filled with amazing women, a few men and plenty of fun.”
What she loves most is working alongside people who are genuinely passionate about Get It. Every month, she watches the different pieces come together, from the first ideas to the finished magazine.
For Nicole, the magic lies in that shared commitment. “The heart and soul that each individual puts into the magazine is what warms my heart every month.”
She describes Get It as local, informative and stylish, and hopes readers feel pure excitement when they pick up a new issue, “as though they have been waiting all month for their favourite local lifestyle guide.”
After seven years, she believes reaching 21 is proof of the magazine’s tenacity in an incredibly challenging industry.
“We’re still thriving,” she says, “and we can be proud that, for 21 years, Get It has continued to find its way into the hearts of our readers.”
GILES THOMAS
Advertising sales manager | Since 2007
Ask Giles for her favourite Get It memory and she struggles to choose.
“There have been crazy deadlines, interesting shoots, memorable events and, of course, plenty of characters along the way,” she says. But some of Giles’ favourite moments are the annual reader events, where she gets to see the Get It brand come alive and, most importantly, see readers enjoying themselves.
Her role has also given her the opportunity to build long-standing relationships with local businesses. Some clients have been with Get It for years, and Giles values the trust that develops over time.
For her, selling advertising isn’t simply about selling space. It is about finding creative ideas that actually work for a business, and helping clients connect with local readers. She is fiercely proud of the brand Get It has become and the place it has established within the community. Her three words to sum Get It up are: Great. Local. Quality. Although she would really like to sneak in a fourth: FREE!
“After joining the journey in 2007, reaching 21 years is something I’m proud of. It means we’re doing it right!”
And her description of Get It? “Your go-to for a fabulous local fix for all things gorgeous!”
BRONWYN FORBES-HARDINGE
Lifestyle journalist/photographer | From the very beginning
Bronwyn’s story is woven into Get It from its earliest days in 2005.
“After working on the Highway Mail, being given an opportunity to move across to a brand-new publication felt exciting and liberating.
“There was the freedom to write creatively, the challenge of working out exactly who Get It was for and what it could become, and plenty of very late nights getting that first issue together.”
Her strongest memory is still that first edition and sitting around the boardroom table with the finished magazine in hand.
“There was such camaraderie, pride, teamwork and celebration,” she says.
Twenty-one years later, that same sense of shared purpose remains one of her favourite things about the team.
“Everyone brings a different skill to the table, and everyone juggles multiple roles within the wider Caxton business. Yet when it is time to produce Get It, everyone puts on the same hat.”
For Bronwyn, the greatest privilege has been the people she has met and the stories she has been able to tell.
“From young achievers and entrepreneurs to people facing extraordinary challenges, the people I interview don’t just inspire readers, they invariably teach me something about life too.”
And because Get It is so local, she says, the magazine has become a way of discovering what Get It’s own ‘village’ is made of: Creativity, talent, heart, resilience and human spirit.
Perhaps that is why she struggles to describe Get It in just three words, and states: People. Stories. Connection. Home. Community. Heart.
“After 21 years, there is only one way I can finish this sentence: Get It is … about people, places and stories that matter.”
NOREEN PERRYMAN
Commercial features editor | Part of Get It since 2005
Noreen holds a special place in the Get It story. She was the magazine’s first editor, working on the first three or four issues before Wanda Daly took over, allowing Noreen to turn her full attention to being a motoring editor. After Covid, she returned to the magazine as Commercial Features Editor, so you could easily say Get It is in her blood.
There are plenty of memories to choose from, she says. “One of the most memorable involved a photoshoot with Bronwyn at Durban Fashion Week.
After photographing VIPs at uShaka, we discovered the aquarium was closed but a kind security guard let us in, and we wandered through the magnificent aquarium completely alone. Being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the underwater world was magical, except for one small detail … Bron and I both have a slight fish phobia, so there was plenty of adrenalin and nervous laughing!”
Noreen recalls an assignment that took her and Bronwyn to an outdoor music venue in the Valley of 1000 Hills.
“It was an exceptionally hot day and, before Bron started interviewing the owners, we were each presented with a particularly refreshing glass of watermelon sparkling wine. I was so thirsty that I downed mine, then promptly sat through the interview with a warm, giddy glow. Fortunately, Bron was driving.”
But beneath the funny stories is something Noreen values even more – the people.
“Over 21 years, there have been many staff changes, but the camaraderie remains. I love the variety of my role, from finding new angles and writing engaging features to helping brands tell their stories, and subbing and proofreading the final pages of each edition.”
She has also watched publishing transform from a world with no social media or online presence into the multi-platform brands Get It and other Caxton titles have become today.
And after 21 years, her definition is perhaps the most fitting of all: “Get It is a little piece of the community that you can hold in your hands – and my pride and joy.”
LEONIE DA SILVA
Production manager | 15 years with Get It
For Leonie, one of the milestones that stands out is seeing Get It grow into those huge bumper December/January issues, which have topped 100 pages over the past few years. “There is something particularly satisfying about seeing a publication of that size finally come together, especially when the feedback from readers and clients starts arriving.”
Leonie loves the people behind the magazine and the support within the team. She also enjoys the creative freedom her role allows, particularly when designing adverts, and the moment when everything finally comes together as a finished product in print.
For her, the community connection is simple: Get It is about local people and local communities.
She describes the magazine as trendy, interesting and relatable, and hopes readers finish an issue feeling fulfilled, having discovered something useful, interesting or inspiring.
“After 15 years, reaching 21 feels like proof that Get It is a strong product that people genuinely love.”
Her verdict? “Get It is… rocking.”
SHARON TROLLIP
Designer | Since the start back in 2005
There are few people who can say they have been there from the very first Get It, but Sharon is one of them.
For her, publishing that first magazine remains an unforgettable moment. “There was the excitement of seeing the idea become a real publication, and then the satisfaction of knowing that an entire team had worked together to make it happen.”
Nearly 21 years later, Sharon says, the people remain one of her favourite things about Get It. “The team is amazing and all have a passion for what they do on the mag.”
As a Caxton award winning designer, Sharon enjoys seeing the finished product and hearing feedback from clients and readers. She is particularly proud that Get It continues to offer a free magazine of such a high standard to the community.
Her description of the magazine is wonderfully practical: Interesting content, high-standard of design, and FREE.
And her philosophy for creating it? Teamwork makes the dream work.
JACQUES ERASMUS
Graphic layout artist | 1 year with Get It
A year into his time with Get It, Jacques Erasmus has already experienced one of those moments that makes a designer’s heart beat a little faster – being asked to create the front cover.
“It was nerve-wracking,” he admits, before adding, “but nothing to worry about,” he laughs.
He loves working on the covers and the creative freedom that comes with bringing the pages to life. Just as importantly, he enjoys being part of a team where everyone works so well together.
Although he is still getting to know the communities Get It serves, one thing has stood out. “Wherever I go, I hear people talking about how much they love the magazine. That makes me happy and content.”
Asked to describe Get It in three words, Jacques went for something slightly more ambitious: “Absolutely. Fantastically. Magnificent.” And what does he hope readers feel when they pick up a copy? “Bliss, comfort and excitement, all in one.”
NANDIA BLOM
Minister of negotiations | 18 months with Get It
Nandia has already discovered one of the great truths of magazine publishing: Sometimes the deadline itself becomes the memory.
For her, there is something wonderfully rewarding about surviving the deadline, seeing the finished pages and finally holding the magazine in her hands – knowing she helped make it happen. She loves the passion the team brings to every issue and the pride everyone takes in what they produce.
Her role as sales representative, or as she refers to it ‘minister of negotiations’, also gives her the opportunity to showcase local businesses, people and achievements, something she feels strongly about.
“The real magic of Get It is the sense of love, community and connection. There is so much talent, kindness, passion and Ubuntu within our communities,” she says. “I hope readers feel that same spirit when they pick up the magazine, discovering something new while feeling proud of the people and businesses around them.”
Although she has only been part of the Get It family for 18 months, she recognises what a remarkable milestone 21 years represents.
“Get It is more than a magazine. It is “a celebration of our communities, the people in them and the stories that bring us together.”
SIYABONGA NDLOVU
Graphic designer | Almost 1 year with Get It
Siya, as he is known to the Get It team, particularly enjoys working on the magazine’s social pages, the kids and teens pages, and enjoys the opportunity to work with quality images.
For him, one of the most rewarding things about Get It is seeing how proud people are of where they live.
“Readers don’t simply skim the magazine. They keep it, share it and tell us when they see themselves or their neighbours featured.
“That connection is what makes Get It special to me,” Siya says.
He describes Get It as local, uplifting and connected.
Siya says he loves that readers feel proud of their communities. “They are curious about what is happening nearby and are inspired to support local people and businesses.”
Reaching 21 years also means something bigger for Siya.
“Get It has grown up alongside its readers. Many people who first saw us in their parents’ homes now have families of their own and still reach for Get It. That continuity is rare and meaningful.”
Siya’s description of Get It sums up the philosophy of the magazine beautifully:
“The monthly reminder that the best stories are often right on our doorstep.”
OUR FIRST GET IT TEAM
The original Get It team who got the magazine off the ground in 2005 and laid the foundations for the Get It we know today: Nelson Pereira (sales), Steph McLennan (editorial), Bronwyn Forbes-Hardinge (editorial), Quintus Nienaber (design), Noreen Perryman (editorial), Louisa Devlin (sales), Wanda Daly (editorial), Sharon Trollip (design) and Peter Upfold (editorial).
HERE’S TO 21 YEARS
To everyone who has written a story, taken a photograph, designed a page, sold an advert, proofread a sentence, met a deadline, delivered a magazine, shared a copy, recommended a business, nominated a person or simply picked up Get It and read it… Thank you for being part of our story.
