Our Story: The People Behind The Hill Magazine

The Hill is the newest magazine from FabMags, a local publishing team focused on telling authentic, community stories across KwaZulu-Natal. The idea behind it is straightforward: create a magazine that reflects the people, businesses and everyday life of Hillcrest in a way that feels relevant and worth reading. FabMags has built its reputation on this approach, keeping things local and real, and producing magazines that people recognise as their own.

The History

From the beginning, the goal has been to create publications that aren't limited in scope. What started with estate-based magazines grew into broader community titles, designed to reach more people and tell a wider range of stories. There's a strong emphasis on quality, both in how the magazines look and how they read. Clean, accessible design paired with well-written, engaging content has remained a consistent focus.

At the centre of it all is storytelling. As Justin and Lorinda Scott explain: "Everyone has a story, and each one means something to them, and they trust us to share it. That is everything to us." That thinking continues to shape every issue, from small business features to larger community pieces.

Growing the Brand

FabMags began in 2006 under "Estate Press", producing its first publication for Seaward Estate, a magazine that still exists today. From there, the business expanded steadily, responding to a growing demand for community-focused magazines.

The launch of The Ballito magazine marked a shift towards something broader: a publication that could capture an entire area, not just a single estate. It also set the tone for what FabMags would become: magazines that combine strong visuals with meaningful, locally driven content. Today, FabMags produces 12 print and four digital titles, and reaches tens of thousands of readers each month. While the scale has changed, the thinking behind it hasn't. The focus remains on telling stories that reflect the growth, character and everyday life of the communities they serve.

Why the Upper Highway?

Hillcrest felt like a natural next step. It's an area with a strong identity and a wide mix of people, businesses and spaces, plenty of stories to tell, and a community that supports local platforms. The aim with The Hill is to build something that reflects that: a magazine that captures what's happening in the area now, while also tracking its evolution.

The Fab Founders

FabMags is led by founder and co-CEO Lorinda Scott, who has grown the business from a single publication into a multi-title brand. Co-founder Justin Scott has played a key role in shaping its direction, particularly in terms of strategy and growth across print and digital. Behind them is a hands-on team working across editorial, design, sales and distribution. Each part contributes to the final product readers see.

Meet the Team

Excited to connect with a new audience, Natasha Minnaar, the Sales Executive for this and several other FabMags titles, plays an important role in connecting local businesses with the magazines' audiences.

As the lead Journalist for The Hill, I'm (Accacia) looking forward to uncovering and sharing stories from Hillcrest and the surrounding areas. I'm really excited to be working on The Hill with this amazing team and to start delving deeper into what's happening in the area. There's a lot here to explore.

Designer Michaela Naidoo contributes to the visual identity of FabMags' publications. Her work ensures that stories on the page are supported by engaging visuals, and she brings that vibrant style to The Hill magazine!

The Copy and Content Manager, Cristina Govender, works on every piece of text, ensuring every article speaks to the heart of the story.

Delivering the magazines to the shelves and all of your favourite spots, Ndu Majola is your friendly neighbourhood Distribution Manager.

Heading up the Sales Department, Sales Director Lucille Wendler keeps her finger on the pulse of business and development, always looking for the next big thing!

Sharlene Odayar, FabMags' Operations Director, plays a key role in production, distribution and the day-to-day coordination that ensures each publication reaches readers on time and to a high standard.

Looking Ahead

FabMags has grown over the years, but its approach remains consistent. The focus is still on producing well-made community magazines that people want to read and businesses want to be part of. With The Hill, that same approach is being brought to a new audience, one story at a time.