Africa's first franchise magazine launches

Franchising Africa, the title of the new publication, is a partnership between the Franchise Association of Southern Africa (FASA) and members of the management team. "This is a targeted publication that will reach every significant player in the industry, as well as those who are intending to become involved, whether as franchisors, franchisees, consultants or in any other capacity," says Mahesh Amarath, chairman of FASA.

One of the key aims of Franchising Africa is to draw attention to the role franchising can play in generating wealth on the continent. "Franchising provides an ideal entry into business for those who have lost the shelter of a corporate job and others who have no experience at all," says Wessel Ebersohn, editor of the publication. "Because of the transfer of skills that takes place in franchising, the industry's role in Africa and the rest of the developing world, is still more important than it is in developed economies. When you realize that only 12% of our adult African population have completed high school, the need for business skills is immense."

The team was unanimous that the tone of Franchising Africa should be positive and entrepreneurial. "Franchising Africa has a strong optimistic slant. We aim to fill the magazine with creative ideas that can be used by people in the industry. Major studies on franchising will be brought to our readers in as much depth and detail as possible," says Louise Taylor, the publisher.

The first issue, April/May 2002 will be on sale in the last week of April 2002. The total print run for the first issue is 27 500 copies.

FASA was established 23 years ago to serve an industry that was in its infancy at the time. Growth was steady throughout the 1980s, but increased in intensity during the next decade. By 2000 the number of franchise systems operating in South Africa had passed 450 and was growing by the month. "It is this very rapid expansion and the growing importance of franchising, both socially and economically, that has made the publication a necessity," says Nic Louw, executive director of FASA.