question remains. Soweto, an acronym for South Western Townships, comprising 36 mini-townships, and only second largest after Cairo, has long been known - famously, notoriously or both - throughout the four corners of the world, booked its place in history records on 16 June 1976, following the Class of 1976 protest-march by Soweto students against the compulsory of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in black township schools.“As far as historians could record, of all the calendar days not one compares with that Wednesday of 16 June, the day that will forever stand out like a sore thumb in the collective mind and memory of the Black people of South Africa, when Soweto sneezed… and the whole world caught a cold,” wrote Mothibi Mthethwa in Township Talk, one of Soweto’s numerous community newspapers some time ago.

 

It is no secret that Soweto has been in existence decades long before 16 June 1976, having got its name in 1955 from legendary journalist-editor of Zonk magazine, late Mike Tshehla `Mazurkie’ Phahlane, who was also responsible for coining names like Rockville and `Dark City’ for Moroka and Alexandra Township, respectively, winning himself the grand-prize of 50 Pounds. Now, with South Africa exactly a quarter-of-a-century into democracy, Soweto has come up with another community newspaper, Soweto WayaWaya, yet Soweto WayaWaya is NOT `just another’ Soweto community newspaper. Soweto WayaWaya is here to prove wrong the adage that says, “If you cannot beat them, join them,” because this is the community newspaper. While it is not the very first Soweto community newspaper Soweto WayaWaya intends to become the best ever, driven by the firm belief that “If you could not be the first in whatever you do, then strive to be the best.”

•What you will read between the pages of the newspaper you are now holding in your hands is something you will never come across in any other newspaper. You will get to know about personalities as `untold before’. First things first; the term `waya waya’ itself is township parlance that suggests yesterday (as things were), today (as they are) and tomorrow (as things would be, and might forever be), hence, the name Soweto WayaWaya, the brainchild of award-winning photo-journalist,

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Meet the Team

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Nonhlanhla Kambule-Makgati-Makgati Founder & Publisher:

It took Nonhlanhla a series of sleepless nights, trying to make her dream of Soweto WayaWaya come true, as she persistently and patiently persuaded Mr Churchill Mrasi, renowned champion of black business upliftment, to come on board and take charge at the helm of the Soweto WayaWaya media-ship. Meanwhile, elsewhere, an equally-concerned Mothibi Mthethwa had been keeping his fingers crossed, praying and hoping that all should go well, having fruitfully worked with Nonhlanhla as News Editor at the now-defunct Mogalakwena Today in the past, bearing in mind that things do not happen on their own, but it takes like-minded people to make things happen.

 

Back to Mr Churchill Mrasi: “I received the best news in a long time when Mr Mrasi finally called to inform me about his intention to lend his professional hand in getting Soweto Waya Waya on its feet. And, as if that was not good enough, Mr Mrasi also provided a home for Soweto WayaWaya a `home’ at the Commerce House, in Orlando West. Come that historic Thursday afternoon of 2 May 2019, would-be-Soweto WayaWaya personnel came together and held their first meeting at Commerce House, a swimming-backstroke distance away from the Jake Ntuli Swimming Pool in Orlando West Industrial Park.

 

Please welcome Soweto Waya Waya staff:

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Mr Churchill Mrasi, Managing Director:

By 1978, ages before most of us had ever heard of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), Mr Mrasi, or `Bra Church’, current National President of the South African Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality Association (SALTHA), Godfather’was already negotiating deals for small lack businesses, especially regarding liquor traders under National Taverners Association (NTA) umbrella-body.In 1993, the NTA took on a new name as the South African Liquor Trade Association (SALTA), of which he was the national President, with hospitality and tourism now part and parcel of the package, and affiliated to the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC).“Having realised that about 70percent of local whites did not know anything about black townships, or knew anything about how black people lived, let alone having been inside a black township, I embarked on a mission to initiate tours for whites in and around Soweto.”

The dyed-in-the-wool supporter of The Mighty Buccaneers (Orlando Pirates, a boxing fanatic and lover of jazz music, `Bra Church’ also likes travelling. True to his message that says: `understand your own continent’, Mr Mrasi has been to Lesotho, Kingdom of eSwatini (Swaziland), Zambia, Egypt and Malaysia. Nonhlanhla Kambule-Makgati, Publisher: Nonhlanhla is no newcomer to the world of publishing, and has Mogalakwena Today and Western Sun newspapers as concrete proof. Although born a little ink in her blood, Nonhlanhla admits that photography is in her blood. “It is my first love.” It is that `first love’ that has earned her well-deserved rewards, which include the following:

• 2010: Sanlam/MDDA General Interest Photography (Western Sun)
• 2006: Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Award (The Star,Feature Photographs)
• 2005: Vodacom Journalist of the Year(Regional)
• 2005: Vodacom Journalist of the Year(National)
• 2004: African Press Awards (FAPPAT rophee) Sports Category

In addition, Nonhlanhla is the author of a still-to-be-published coffee-table book titled `Transformation Through the Eye of a Camera - Skierlik & Mazista 2004-2014’.

 

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Mothibi Mthethwa, Editor:

When one aspirant journalist once asked Mothibi to teach him how to write better, Mothibi replied: “I cannot teach you anything (about writing), but you can only learn from me”, which has since become his motto.Many have learned from Mothibi, with novices becoming established journalists; good writers becoming better, yet mentioning names would be infra-dig (below dignity) for Mothibi. Two of those who learned from him went on to become successive Editor-in-Chief for the same daily newspaper, while others gave made their mark in journalism, photography and one in publishing. From Golden City Press, Africa-Today (Tomorrow the World) to Blackchain-Today, from Upbeat to Learn & Teach, from Frontline to Southern Africa-Today, The Star (Africa Edition): Mothibi’s byline was always there.Then came the best time Mothibi has ever had as journalist when he joined Mgosi Gang at Pace magazine working with the great `High Voltage’, the late Vusi `Vee Kay’ Khumalo, whose favourite line was: `Writing is nothing other than playing around with words’. Vusi might be no ore, but his spirit of journalism forever lives on. Next came a short spell with Drum magazine under Sis’ Liz Khumalo. Home-Life (Durban and Jozi sister papers), School-Talk, Kitso (The Paper for Smart People), Township Talk, The Heritage, Y-Express, Education-Today and Mogalakwena-Today are community newspapers Mothibi Mthethwa has been Editor of , while giving many the chance to `learn from him’.

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Jacqueline `Jacqui’ Davis, Public Administration:

A highly motivated, self-starter and organised professional, with over 30 years of experience, thrives in a high-pressured environment, where attention to detail is essential, with punctuality, diligence and accuracy taking priority, as well as using her own initiative. She is results-driven and very conscious of the importance of meeting targets and deadlines. `Jacqui’ takes personal pride in her ability to multi-task with a positive and flexible attitude, as a proactive team member who can also work independently, without supervision. “I always aim to go above and beyond my duties, ensuring that the best systems are in place, to allow the organisation/unit functions efficiently and effectively at all times. “I have a wealth of work experience and the ability to mentor for success with responsibility, and I am committed individual to those who employ me I display a high work ethic and offer professionalism, maturity, confidentiality and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

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Duduzile Kambule - Photographer:

Nonhlanhla’s `first love’ did not stop at winning awards, but has also spilled on to daughter Duduzile, as is a case of `like mother like daughter’.Not every photographer can boast about having been trained by the legendary world-acclaimed photo-journalist, who has photographed the likes of Marcellus Cassius `The Greatest’ Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) and the Kennedy family, among others, in the form of the late Mangaliso Alf Kumalo.However, Duduzile Kambule-Makgati, can but is humble enough not to boast. “My pictures have to tell the story. Boasting is for small minds.” In addition to being a professional photographer, Dudu is also a professional writer and dancer.

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Abel Kutoane, Photographer:

Abel has a come a long way since being taught the art of taking pictures during the days of instamatic camera, to be the winner of “Project I See” Photography Competition in 2000, before attending the Alf Kumalo Photographic School. Abel credits the following professional photographers for being where he is today and is heading in the near future: Alf Kumalo, John Hoeben, Peter Magubane, Buyaphi Mdledle and Victor Matom. “I have encountered problems and challenges in my life as a photographer, yet I have never given up, and never will. Working with Mothibi Mthethwa will be a pleasure, for we had had worked together at Township Talk, where he was the Editor.”

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Vuyi Duma, Head of Sales and Marketing:

Armed with an extensive experience that covers a range of areas such as Sales, Marketing and Business Development, Vuyi had studied Marketing, Digital-Media and Multi-media at the School of Magic (Red & Yellow) in the `Mother City’ (Cape Town). He has worked for several publishing companies as Head of Market and Sales.

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Siyabonga Mbatha, Journalist and Senior Political Writer:

Bonga studied Public Management, Governance and Politics and is a BA graduate of the University of Johannesburg. He is a Social Commentator and Social Change Advocate.

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Sikhumbuzo Collin Mtshali, Head Graphic Designer:

Studied Graphic Design at Parktown College before joining FCB (South Africa) Draft, one of the leading advertising agencies in South Africa, and recipient of a high accolade from Graphicor Agency, and has been in Advertising and Marketing Business for almost 15 years.