Grocott’s Mail is the oldest independent newspaper in South Africa. The first edition hit the streets on 11 May 1870 as a free advertising sheet. The editor stated its purpose very clearly: "Today we present the public with the first copy of Grocott's Free Paper, which will be published every Wednesday and distributed freely all over the city, on the morning market, and in several Frontier towns. We merely ask you to accept it, read the advertisements, and then make large purchases."

Read a detailed description of the history of Grocott's Mail.

Grocott's Mail is no longer a free paper and is now published twice weekly. The citizens of Grahamstown have made it the largest-selling newspaper in the town, continue to support it through local advertising, and still read it and "make large purchases".

Grocott's Mail is Grahamstown's favourite newspaper, and its debating forum. This is evident from the Letters page and from the raging debates that take place on its pages.

With regards to ownership and management, Grocott's Mail has undergone many changes in its long history. In 2003, Rhodes University bought the paper to set up the David Rabkin Project for Experiential Journalism Training. Rhodes University is the sole shareholder of this Limited Liability company and any profits made go to student bursaries at the university. As the university is state-owned, this means that you, the tax payers of South Africa, in fact own Grocott's Mail and are supporting the provision of student bursaries!