Noweto News community newspaper launches

Lucky Moshimane, MD of Jumbo Security and Afri-Eagle, a construction company based in Fourways, has launched it with a print run of 60 000 copies, which he plans to increase with each subsequent edition until the entire area is covered. The paper currently employs twenty staff and there are plans to increase the workforce in early 2011.

Journalists and photographers for the publication were drawn from the youth of Diepsloot and other townships in the area, giving community members the opportunity to document stories the way they experience them.

Employees will be mentored on journalistic practices and news reporting processes. Area residents will receive the newspaper free every month and it will be available in malls around the area, at spaza shops and, in some areas, delivered door-to-door.

Green issues

Community leaders recognised that much damage has been done to the environment and the paper will facilitate initiatives to clean up the area and help create awareness on environmental friendly practices. These initiatives will include sustainable green businesses, growing of organic vegetables and planting of trees.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the newspaper held at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Moshimane said, "The paper is our way of giving the community of Diepsloot and surrounding areas an unadulterated voice in the media. The publication seeks to educate and create awareness on available employment and business opportunities for community members to help ensure communities are self-sustaining. The publication also aims to bridge the gap between various community groups."

"There's a need for a medium which speaks directly to the communities and accurately reflects and creates awareness of the culture of the communities. In the past we've seen how inaccuracies in media coverage have led to misunderstandings, tension and violence within the communities."

"Communities in the northern suburbs should try harder to reach a deeper appreciation as they depend on each other for essential services. For example, shopkeepers and housekeepers who work in Bryanston and Fourways come from Diepsloot. Therefore, there is a need to shift the stakeholders' relationship paradigm to a community and partnership model, through the creation of communication platforms that can be used by stakeholder or target audience groups."

Political support

Speaking at the launch, Chris Vondo, chairperson of the ANC Havana City Branch, welcomed the launch of the paper saying, "The initiative is long overdue and the party will support this initiative. We hope it will assist in the rehabilitation of the image of townships in the northern suburbs. The paper must be critical and ensure that leaders of the community are kept on their toes regarding service delivery."