From the newsroom to your kitchen table, a dedicated team works tirelessly to create your favourite weekly news publication.

In a world increasingly dominated by social media, these staff members remain committed to keeping print alive, overcoming every obstacle along the way.

Today, we introduce the team who ensure your adverts are perfect; the news is accurate and fair; and the final product is crisp, clear and delivered to your local retailers – keeping you informed about your town and what’s on special at your favourite stores.

Cherryl Mungal

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Sales and Office Manager. The best part of my job is working with an amazing team and helping to put together the best product: the Newcastle Advertiser.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
When a virus was planted on our server and we lost all our work for that week. The entire team pulled together the night before the print deadline and still managed to produce a stunning 44-page newspaper for the printers, despite the setback.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I think I’d be an air hostess, travelling the world for free!

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m absolutely fearless and a true adrenaline junkie! I’d jump out of a plane without thinking twice, but I’m terribly afraid of spiders.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Coffee! Very strong, one sugar and no milk.

Zianne Leibrandt

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Editor. What I love most about my job is listening to people’s life stories and telling those stories through my craft. I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. This career has taught me tolerance and has helped ground and shape me as a person.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
In 2017, I played an integral role in helping to save a newborn baby who was abandoned at birth in Amiel Park. I had the privilege of naming her, and we chose the name Baby Hope because that is exactly what she represented: hope. I spent six incredible months helping to care for her while she stayed at Home Meah before she was adopted by a wonderful, loving family. I still think about her and miss her to this day.

Another memorable moment was recently being invited to the Chinese Buddhist Temple, where I experienced the Thousand Buddhas Repentance Service, an absolutely amazing experience.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I wanted to become a marine biologist when I was younger, so I’d probably be doing that or working with lions and other big wild cats.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I have an extremely soft heart when it comes to animals, babies and the elderly. I’m also a huge cry-baby; it doesn’t take much to make me cry! Hehehe.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Rooibos tea: two sugars, no milk.

Estella Naicker

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Regional Investigative Journalist. I love that I get to help people by giving them the information they need to make informed, thoughtful decisions about their lives. I’m also passionate about holding those in power accountable.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
Sharing my work journey with my daughter and exposing her to the world from a young age. I remember working late hours while she slept peacefully on the couch in my office, watching her meet influential people and experience this life alongside me – moments I will always treasure.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I would most likely be working in nature and wildlife conservation.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
People might be surprised by how deeply I think about the consequences of what I publish and how it affects those involved in my stories. I constantly reflect on whether I’ve done the right thing. I’m also incredibly fortunate to have a life partner who supports my work 100 per cent.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Coffee with almond milk, a hint of hazelnut syrup and no sugar.

Philile Magudulela

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Amajuba Eyethu Sales Consultant. What I love most about my job is the amazing team I get to work with.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
I love the times when we get to do team building. It allows us to get to know each other better outside of the workplace.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I’d probably be a dedicated stay-at-home mum with my kids.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am actually a very friendly and open person who just also happens to be a straightforward, take-no-nonsense kind of gal.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Seven Roses Tea: strong, one and a half sugars, and milk, please!

Anika Sanders

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Community Journalist. The part of my job I love most is meeting new people while getting to explore our town.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
Profiling a local beekeeper was an unforgettable experience. I got to step into her world among the bees and see how a beehive works up close. I even got to wear a beekeeper’s suit, which was absolutely awesome!

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
Definitely working abroad as an au pair.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I wear a hearing aid, and I can play the piano.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Coffee: very strong, with milk and no sugar.

Jessica Naidoo

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Sales Consultant. What I love most about my job is the challenge: meeting targets while selling advertising space in a trusted brand, both in print and online.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
Back when we were still in our old building, we were convinced it was haunted! One night, around 11pm, we stepped outside for a short break. When we came back, all the cupboards were open and the office was freezing, the kind of cold that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. We packed our things and left immediately! Hehehe.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
Definitely lying on an exotic beach somewhere, sipping cocktails.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a really short temper, but I get over it very quickly.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
A delicious cocktail, sipped through a straw!

Maya Maharaj

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Classifieds / Sales Consultant. I love everything about my job!

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
Meeting the late and legendary Darlington Michaels (Georgie “Papa G” Zamdela) while he was in Newcastle filming a movie in the park opposite our old offices in Paterson Street. It was a truly special experience.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
Honestly, anything! I just love working and keeping busy.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I own 11 cats!

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
I honestly prefer water most of the time.

Sunitha Ramsaroop

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Credit Clerk. I love working with figures and people.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
When the Newcastle Advertiser celebrated its 100th anniversary and we got to ride on an incredible float through town – such a memorable experience!

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I would probably be a stay-at-home mum.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
People might be surprised to know that I can actually get angry too. Hehehe!

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Tea, very hot and sweet.

Tina Moodley

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Sales Consultant. I love that this job keeps me on my toes. In many ways, I’m contributing to my community while building valuable relationships with my clients and enhancing my skills every day.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
The day our entire team got together for a Bas Padel team building event. We really got to see each other’s softer sides – it was a special and memorable day.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I’d probably be a stay-at-home mum and travelling more with my family, getting to see the world together.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I may come across as very straightforward and outspoken, but deep down I’m actually a big softie.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Tea: three sugars with just a little extra milk.

Rita Sewsancaran

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Accounts Clerk. What I love most about my job is the people I work with and the fact that I’m constantly learning new things.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
Meeting all the staff at my very first year-end function. It was so nice to finally put faces to the voices I’d been speaking to on the phone.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I’d be travelling the world, exploring new places and meeting people from all walks of life.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
People think I’m very quiet, but in fact, I’m actually very talkative.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Tea: two sugars with milk, but not too strong.

Joseph Khuzwayo

What’s your role at the newspaper, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Amajuba Eyethu Editor. What I love most about my job is writing about all things ‘politics’! I get to hold those in power accountable for their actions.

What’s one story or moment at work you’ll never forget?
A police officer once broke my camera while I was at a student protest march. And then there was that one occasion when a councillor punched me in the face… I suppose politicians simply don’t like me much. Hehehehe.

If you weren’t doing this job, what would you be doing instead?
I’d be an agricultural farmer for sure.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a dedicated family man who loves his family above anything else in this world.

Coffee, tea or something else – and how do you take it?
Coffee: very strong, three sugars and milk.

Thank you to our readers

After 125 years, we at the Newcastle Advertiser are grateful to our loyal readers and customers who continue to trust us with their stories, businesses and advertising.

Your support is invaluable and we sincerely appreciate you!

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. Please follow us on Youtube and feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. For more local news, visit our webpage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and follow us on our WhatsApp Channel