In memory of Madikane, the first Gtown citizen journalist

 

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.

Madikane Jelu - 1974-2009

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.

I miss my 2008 PGDip classmates

I remember my varsity years  at Rhodes University, especially 2008.  Lost in a  mix of students from  almost all racial groups in South Africa and a few from Zimbabwe, our neighbour country. The experience is worth retelling.

A class photo of PGDip 2008 outside AMM builing at Rhodes

It was liberating to find yourself and your space in such a diversity of viewpoints and opinions.