Picture: The Guardian Newspaper editor, Obakeng Maje
By BAKANG MOKOTO
9 September 2025- As they always say community newspapers are vital for social cohesion by providing relevant local news and fostering a sense of belonging through shared information about events, local businesses, and issues, The Guardian Newspaper (formerly known as Taung DailyNews), has undergone name change.
The newspaper underwent a name change from 1 April 2025 and has received unwavering support from its readers. According to The Guardian Newspaper editor, Obakeng Maje, the change was necessary. Maje said The Guardian Newspaper will continue to give citizens in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and North West province at large access to information as a trusted source of news that can be relied on to get the facts right.
“It’s been 13 years since the formation of Taung DailyNews. Now, we saw it fit to change the name of the publication to stay relevant, attract a new audience and reflect a significant shift in our mission. Before, we will cater only for Taung readers. However, we have grown bigger now and the demand is high.
“As we all know, The Guardian Newspaper now covers the whole of North West, including Frances Baard District Municipality in Northern Cape. So, we would like to communicate this change effectively to readers, advertisers and the wider public,” he said.
Maje further said since the name change, the newspaper has attracted a new audience too. He added that a publication has expanded its scope and focus to a different demographic and needed a new name to reflect this change.
“We are rebranding to create a fresh start and continue to build trust with our readers. The new name accurately represents our new identity and goals. This will also improve market positioning. Also, the public will not only see the publication as a newspaper from Taung.
“The name The Guardian Newspaper will help us to stand out in a competitive market, making it more memorable or easier to identify with its specific coverage or region. So, we highly-appreciated our readers who are always by our side and also extend our welcome to our new readers,” said Maje.
In addition, he calls on various advertisers to use the publication as a platform for their businesses, which is crucial for their operation and for the community’s economy. Maje said they will continue to foster community connection in areas they cover and remain the trusted information source.
“Lastly, The Guardian Newspaper has been nominated for the Best Online Media House category at the 2025 North West Media Awards (NWMA). You will remember that Taung DailyNews won this award consecutively in 2023 and 2024. So, I call on our readers to vote for us and win it for the third time.
“Also, I am grateful that I have been nominated for the Best Journalist of the Year and the Poloko Tau Investigative Story of the Year categories at the NWMAs. So, these categories are not voted for, except the Best Online Media House of the Year category. Now, let’s start voting in numbers and win this award,” he said.
To vote for The Guardian Newspaper, sms NWMA503 to 35943. Remember, sms cost R3 and free sms do not apply.
The Guardian 