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.
Wasnaar Mokoena, 50, a Limpopo department of labour employee from Phalaborwa, said: “I want to give my support to print media. The print media is dwindling and going down. So I want to keep on supporting it. I like the paper because it gives us local news like here in Phalaborwa where I stay. There is a wide coverage of news. Even rural areas are catered for. Sowetan also gives us job opportunity adverts, tenders and motoring information, not just news.”
Hlanganani Nkosi, 61, a pensioner from Mbombela, Mpumalanga, said: “This is the paper for black South Africans. It brings news about townships. The news given by Sowetan is not fake. The paper promotes good journalism and through its death notices, it helps me get in touch with people I grew up with. Since I am from Soweto, when there is a death notice of a person from Soweto, [when I go to] the funeral, that is where I get in touch with people I grew up with.”
Cecil Mutle, 49, an Eskom sales agent from Rustenburg, North West, said: “The newspaper is convenient because it is delivered to me at my doorstep and it informs me. The news in the sports section keeps me up to speed with what’s happening in sports.”
Angel Malunga, 63, a pensioner from Meadowlands, Soweto, said: “I am frequently updated by the news I get from the paper. I read it every day.”
Solly Mabusela, 58, a chief director in the Limpopo department of education from Polokwane, said: “The newspaper is a quick read. It updates you with the news and I like the comment [opinion and analysis] section as well.”
John Mphosi, 65, a pensioner from Polokwane, Limpopo, said: “I go way back with Sowetan. From the time it was called Bantu World until it became Sowetan. This newspaper gives us stories and news about us black people.”
Dungumuzi Mtshali, 72, a pensioner from Tlhabane in Rustenburg said: “I read Sowetan for news on soccer, politics and crime. I subscribed to the paper so that I can get it delivered to me at my doorstep since I can’t get it at the shops sometimes.”
Dan Maseola, 56, from Diepkloof in Soweto said: “Sowetan is more formal than other newspapers that one reads during the week. It is specific, the layout is perfect. The sports and obituary sections are also helpful. I am comfortable and satisfied with the paper.”
Antoinette Maluleke, 77, a pensioner from Diepkloof. said: “I like the paper for its news. I subscribed to Sowetan so that my children and grandchildren can be able to read and use the paper to improve their vocabulary.”
Khosi Moolman, 52, from Dube in Soweto, a supply chain management practitioner in the presidency, said: “The paper is original and I grew up with it. It covers stories about black people who are Sowetans.”
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