Madikane Jelu 1974 -2008
One Grocott’s Mail newsroom legend dates from before the arrival and widespread public access of cellphones. It says that every morning when Madikane woke up and opened his door there was a short queue of people waiting to tell him about news tips or photo taking opportunities of different kinds.
Fast forward to present day, a considerable number of people in Grahamstown felt comfortably connected to the media if they had Madikane’s number, valuing it above the any newspaper or journalist or editors telephone numbers.
Madikane received news tips from as far as Peddie, Bathurst and Port Alfred, Bisho and King William’s town. He had connections from Bhisho high flyers to the lowest commoner in Grahamstown.
He saw the need for news and information and immediately set on news digging and investigation even deeper than your average journalist. Technology, education or formal training was no obstacles or limitation to this ‘man of the people’.
His determination was rewarded through assistance with a state-of-the art camera from former Premier Nosimo Balindlela. With this camera and his cellphone at his disposal, he had renewed vigour in photojournalism.
Affectionately called Mgobhozi (the one who dabbles in other people’s affairs), his lens earned him friends and foes alike. He also meticulously maintained a hectic daily work and publishing schedules for Grocott’s Mail, Daily Sun and other publications interested in his work.
One morning as he walked up High Street, he was interrupted by an angry man who hurled insults at him and threatened to beat him up. Madikane politely took out his camera and invited the aggressor, saying “just come and try”. The agressor turned away. I later learnt that the aggressor was previously photographed and published by Madikane for appearing in court for a 10-year-old rape allegation case.
Madikane was determined to tell the tale of this town through his lens. He became a citizen journalist even before media academics could coin the phrase.
As sickness and death slowly crept into his body, he was not ready to die. David McGregor, a Daily Dispatch reporter based in Port Alfred said he saw him covering a story in Port Alfred despite his deteriorating health.
He may be gone, but his work, determination and drive inspired and touched us all. There will never anyone like him. The Knight Foundation citizen journalism project under Prof H. Dugmore is currently training citizen journalist from general public members and the school learners.
A citizen journalism photography competition is also in the pipeline for 2010 named after this hero. The Madikane Jelu citizen journalism cellphone and camera photography aims to reward citizen for taking interest in their community events and development by taking pictures and send them to Grocotts Mail on a continous basis like Madikane did in his lifetime.
Hamba Kakuhle Mgobhozi, hamba kahle mzukulwana ka Madikane.
