BuaNews (Pretoria)
NEWS
March 1, 2005
Posted to the web March 1, 2005
By Thapelo Sakoana
Mafikeng
"If we can do it for someone else, why can't we do it for ourselves?"
This was an awakening call that echoed here yesterday, regarding three young people who are now emerging as successful in the local media industry.
They worked for a local newspaper here for about three years, earning meagerly until they initiated their own media group.
In October 2003, the trio registered their own company Chaleslar Media, which now runs two successful components.
They are CEO Boikanyo Makgolo, communications manager Larry Tebejane and media strategist and financial manager Diphetogo Kanti.
The company now employs seven young people.
One of the two subsidiaries is News Independent, a community newspaper that is making strides in producing quality content in terms of stories that affect the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.
Hardly a year since its inception, the paper scooped the Premier's Youth Awards in November 2003 in the Information and Communication Technology category.
This saw News Independent walking away with R20 000, which off loaded the financial burden the paper had already incurred.
Last week, the newspaper launched its website, www.newsindependent.co.za, to offer even more fresh news to those with access to the Internet.
North West Press Club chairperson Bobby Saul said the website would increase media diversity and communicate the provincial news to the world, while adding value to the newspaper.
Mr Tebejane today told BuaNews that their company was growing from strength to strength despite the hardships it faced.
He said their success should inspire other youth who aspire venturing into business sector.
"Of course like us, they will face numerous challenges but it is more about working hard to achieve one's goal. Youth must stand up and be active participants in the economy," said Mr Tebejane.
He said they were grateful of the support from the provincial government and the business community.
"We feel encouraged by the support from government departments, the Premier's office and businesspeople," he said.
He cited millionaire Tebogo Diutlwileng's Mr T Group of Companies and Dr Abbey Diokana as their frequent supporters.
Another Chaleslar Media's component, Sakhiwe Business Solutions [SBS], is fast growing in the printing sector.
SBS renders services in printing newspapers, business cards and corporate branding material, among others.
It recently printed corporate branding material for the Office of the Premier Edna Molewa and was recently contracted to design the provincial government's newspaper, The Mirror.
Media Relations director in the Premier's office Russel Mamabolo said the provincial government was happy to support Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
He also said they appreciated the role that News Independent played in keeping people in the province informed.
Young People's Media Network - Coordinator
c/o ECMC (European Centre for Media Competence)
Bergstr. 8 / 10th floor
D-45770 Marl - Germany
Mobile: +49 176 23107083
Fax: +49 12126 23107083
Email: cschuepp@unicef.org
URL: www.unicef.org/magic
Mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/youthful-media
_________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment