Exit marks its 300th issue
South Africa’s longest running monthly LGBT publication has just released its ground breaking 300th issue.
Exit newspaper has been informing the country’s LGBT community since it was founded in 1982 by GASA (the Gay Association of South Africa), with Editor Dawid Moolman at the helm.
After about three years it became privately owned and was named Link/Skakel. The publication was run by Henk Botha and then Gerry Davidson, who sold it to current Editor Gavin Hayward in 1995.
Before the rise of the internet, and the decriminalisation of homosexuality, Exit was one of the few ways members of the community were able to stay in touch with local and international LGBT news – and one another! Readers also devoured the newspaper to find out which bars and clubs were open and where to find them.
For many in the closet, Exit was the only gateway to the community, especially for those living outside the major urban areas. The mere act of stepping up to the till to buy a copy at the local CNA was a brave “coming out” rite of passage.
In the 300th issue, Tim Trengove-Jones wrote that, “Any cultural historian wishing to trace key developments in LGBTIQ history in South Africa has to consult Exit.”
He noted that the publication has covered the rise, fall and fragmentation of Prides in Johannesburg, the devastation of the HI virus and the legal and constitutional challenges and victories that have seen the cementing of our rights in South Africa.
Despite the growing domination of digital media, Exit is going strong and is still found at clubs and venues around the country for free or for sale in CNAs and bookstores.
“Media’s move to digital has only really become pronounced in the last three years or so. I am very proud to have done well with Exit for a long time,” said Hayward. “Needless to say, I could not have done it alone. There are some very significant long-term contributors like Tim Trengove-Jones and Donna Smith, and my partner, Paul, has always been very supportive.”
Hayward told Mambaonline that he is proud to have maintained the newspapers’ focus on the “political rights and position of LGBT people in South Africa.”
Asked who Exit’s audience is today, he replied: “Exit’s readership probably ranges in age from 16 to 86, from high school students to at least one well known Constitutional Court judge.”
Hayward continued: “We haven’t gone the ‘lifestyle’ route which might have given us more advertisers. We print once a month, and print media in the digital age has limitations. We have tried to bridge the divide with a website, a Facebook page and group, and a Twitter handle.”
He noted that one area of the newspaper that has seen a decline in recent years is the once very busy Personals section.
“Some people even advertised anonymously and replies to their ads came via our office. This seems very old fashioned now with all the instant hook-up sites that there are, but there are still couples around who met up through the Exit Personals.”
As to what the future may bring, Hayward said that “it’s time for aspirant media moguls” to make him an offer for the newspaper. “I’ve been at this for long enough,” he added with a chuckle.
Mambaonline congratulates Exit for this milestone achievement. We wish it many more years of continuing to make its way to the printers every month.
My partner and I have been purchasing this paper since for more than 10 years now and it has always been an interesting read. Congratulations this is definitely an achievement.
I have read Exit from the beginning in 1982.
Back in the day it filled a vital niche in the Gay Community.
Thanks to All
Please note the sequence of events in the introduction of this article is wrong. Just for the sake of historical accuracy, Gasa was founded on April 1 1982. The first issue of Link/Skakel as an A5-sized newsletter to members appeared the same month with myself as the editor. As from the seventh issue Link/Skakel became a tabloid-size newspaper. After three years and due to financial constraints Gasa decided to stop publishing it and the last issue appeared in June 1985. Taking advantage of the goodwill, advertising contacts and subscriber address list, David Moolman started a private company separate from Gasa to continue publication of a gay newspaper. The first edition of Exit was dated July 1985 with Moolman as editor. I helped him with general administration and classifieds till his sudden death in March 1989 when I inherited the business and became editor. When I received a job offer I could not refuse, I sold the business to Gerry Davidson with effect of January 1990.
Regards, Henk Botha
I closed the closet doors with a bang, behind me in 1985 and, with my new independence I took two actions that changed my life. I got divorced, informing my ex of the reason why and I bought, may be the first Exit at a bookshop in Hillbrow. Must say, I was very self-conscious and hid the magazine under my arm on my way to my flat. I haven’t read an Exit in a long time but I am defini
tely going to see if my local CNA sells it. Exit, you were such a crutch to me in my coming out days because you reminded me that there were others like me and that I was not just a mistake God made! I thank you. Never underestimate the value you have in closeted or other gays lives and keep on reporting responsibly as you have always done! Pierré Uys.