As Sowetan celebrates its 40th birthday, reporter Mpho Koka took to the streets to speak with some of the newspaper's subscribers and other loyal readers to hear their opinions about the paper
Irene Skosana, 67, a pensioner from Orlando East, Soweto
“I buy the Sowetan every day to get the current news. I want to be updated and know what it is happening. I make sure to buy it every day. Even people in my community, they associate me with the Sowetan. They would often ask where is Sowetan?, referring to me. Nowadays, people prefer getting their news from the internet, that’s why Sowetan does not have many readers now. But I still read my Sowetan and I love it.”
Stanley Malisela Rakumako, 60, a senior manager at the Limpopo Economic Development Agency living in Bendor Park, Polokwane
“My father used to read the predecessor to Sowetan, which was The World and he would send me to go buy newspapers. When I grew up I was reading newspapers. Reading is part of my culture. So I came across the Sowetan through my hobby of reading. I like the Sowetan because you can read it quickly and finish with it.”
Lucky Mpebu, 50, of Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, a general worker at Eskom
“Sowetan’s news is genuine. You hardly see something that will be disputed the following day or that is fake news. Sowetan doesn’t bring us fake news. The coverage is almost for every province in the country. The sports pages have grown. They used to be two pages before. There are too many adverts now in the Sowetan and sometimes the news is written in smaller words and you get lazy to read. That’s what I don’t like.”
Joseph Mogale, 47, a pastor in Meadowlands, Soweto
“It is convenient for me when the Sowetan is brought to my house. I am able to read it, unlike when I want the news on my phone. I like everything about Sowetan. I get my newspaper on time. When I wake up I get my paper at my front of the door and I am able to read the news and find out what’s happening in the world.”
Puleng Marupelo, 72, a pensioner from Welkom, Free State
“I subscribe to the Sowetan mostly for news of all over [the world], including sports and recipes. I love reading the news. I would like for Sowetan not to only cover Gauteng province but other provinces as well since I am staying in the Free State and also want to know what is happening here.”
Mapule Mashigo, 46, of Polokwane, an employee at the Capricorn district municipality
“The newspaper is delivered early in the morning at my place. Here in Limpopo the Sowetan is normally delivered late at shops and petrol stations. So I get it early in the morning and I can read the news and know what is happening. Sowetan gives us the truth.”
Anna Mothuloe, 71, a pensioner from Tlhabane, Rustenburg
“They say local is lekker. Sowetan mostly talks about stuff that affects black people. It talks about black South Africans. It is nice to know how your fellow people are living, how we are living, and what’s happening in your country. Although some news is painful and sad to read, the newspaper helps us and makes us aware of mistakes other people make and the lessons we can take from them. What I like most about the paper is that the language used is simple and you find special sale adverts in it.”
Samuel Mhangwani, 70, of Diepkloof, Soweto, events organiser of the annual Moretele Park Tribute Concert
“Sowetan is still writing about the arts. During the apartheid era, it kept people informed about what was happening in the townships. Even now, it continues to bring information about what is happening in the townships, particularly Soweto. For instance, a lot of newspapers no longer write about the arts unless someone has died. But Sowetan still writes about the arts. I support Sowetan because it continues to inseminate news on the arts and sports because such news is relevant to black people in South Africa.”
Lulama Loza, 60, an assistant tutor in maths and physical science in Ormonde, Johannesburg
“I like Sowetan because it is a form of identity for black people. When I read the article about the 40th anniversary of the Sowetan and the history behind it, I somehow said to myself that this is the right newspaper for me. The paper tells us more about what is happening in South Africa and it somehow resonates well with our history. Sowetan can improve by writing stories which have been researched. We need more research so that whatever they write about has evidence and can be proven.”
Moses Mataboge, 27, of Meadowlands, a school cricket coach
“I don’t have any problems with Sowetan. It is delivered on time. Since I like reading different newspapers which focus on different target audiences, Sowetan gives me the content suited for black people.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.