The story of Sowetan is one of inspiration and triumph in the face of adversity.
The newspaper’s repeated change of name in its lifetime reflected, in a sense, the turbulent and changing society in which it sought to reflect the lives of black people in SA. Over its existence, the paper changed its name at least three times – from the Bantu World, the World, the Post and its current name.
It’s evolution from a popular, apolitical tabloid to an authoritative mirror of the views and condition of black people under apartheid was itself a reflection of what was happening in SA in its time. Throughout its different iterations, its views, and those of its editors, were sought after by anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the thinking of black South Africans in a racially polarised society.
The paper came into its own, as the World, in the build-up to the historic 1976 Soweto uprisings, and soon thereafter. Under the brave leadership of its then editor, Percy Qoboza, and through the fearlessness of many of its reporters at the time, the paper took a stand in how it reported events in the country.
The iconic and internationally acclaimed 1976 uprisings photo – of a fatally shot Hector Pietersen being rushed to hospital – was taken by the World’s Sam Nzima. It stands as a monument to the enterprising and courageous work of the many journalists who worked on the newspaper at different times.
It was no coincidence, therefore, that the Committee of Ten, which sought to provide political leadership in the wake of the uprisings, was formed in the offices of the World.
The World, because of its anti-apartheid stance, was among the organisations banned in 1977 by the apartheid government to suppress black dissent – an event now known as Black Wednesday. The World was replaced by the Post newspaper, itself succeeded by Sowetan.
And, as a successor to both the World and the Post, Sowetan continued the tradition of social activism. Whereas the World and Post fought against apartheid, Sowetan sought to promote the rebuilding of black social structures destroyed by the system.
Under its visionary editor-in-chief Aggrey Klaaste, the paper championed the nation building programme.
To encourage the spirit of ubuntu and promote the emergence of community leadership, it had the Nation Builder of the Year award, recognising individuals who contributed to the development of their communities, often on a voluntary basis.
With its Young Communicators award, the programme sought to cultivate debating skills and intellectual activity among the youth. One of the graduates of this programme being, of course, the very articulate Economic Freedom Fighters’ MP, Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Recognising the importance of empowering women, the newspaper also formed a Women’s Club, whose focus included financial independence and personal wellness, among other things.
On the cultural front, the Sowetan Massed Choir became a popular intervention, appealing to young and old from all walks of life.
Before and after the end of apartheid, Sowetan carved for itself a unique role, combining the historical resistance of black journalism, together with a social activism which sought, in a practical and inspirational way, to find solutions to the many challenges faced by its constituency – the black community.
• Siluma is former editor of Sowetan
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.