I can't believe we've just put together our 1000th edition, as it feels like it was only last year that we were celebrating our 500th edition. It has been a brilliant journey since I first joined this wonderful Soccer Laduma editorial team more than a decade ago. There have been more ups than downs in such a competitive industry, but putting a smile on the millions of our readers' faces every Wednesday makes the long hours to meet deadlines all worth it.
To see so many people reading Soccer Laduma on their way to work, in buses, on the back of vans or trucks, in taxis or on the side of the road really makes my Wednesday mornings. It always fills me with pride knowing the impact we have on our readers and the South African football industry at large. That's what keeps us going – knowing that we have millions of people depending on us for top-quality content.
Apart from the wonderful people I have met here, I have been blessed with the opportunity to establish great relationships with persons in the industry, as well as thousands of football supporters and Soccer Laduma's readers. Receiving phone calls from happy or disgruntled readers always proves the passion we share for this Beautiful Game and without your continued support, there would definitely not be any reason for us to continue producing this wonderful publication. The ideas and understanding our readers have for this Beautiful Game are just amazing and the more I interact with them, the more I realise just how much we all need to hear their voice, as they approach issues from a different perspective. Because of this, I make a point of learning from them.
To that end, I'd really like to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your support over the years. Here's to many more editions to come! As you all know, I took the baton from Clint Roper, who was captaining this team for years, so it is only fair that, in celebrating our 1000th edition, I share this space with him to have a few words before handing over to Peter du Toit.
Once again, to each and every one of you, thank you so much for the support. We really appreciate it!
Cheers
VJ
Wow, time flies. It feels like just the other day we were getting together the 900th edition and before you know it 1000 is knocking on the door. None of this would be possible without a huge love for the game – a love that this country has for this game, a love that our readers have for this game and a love that the Soccer Laduma team has for putting out a product good enough for our readers.
Reading through the comments from those who have featured in the paper over the years, it is clear that Soccer Laduma is truly part of the fabric of South African soccer. That a soccer newspaper is the biggest weekly newspaper in South Africa right now speaks volumes about what this game means to all of us.
So thank you for choosing Soccer Laduma each and every week, and thank you for choosing Soccer Laduma's journalists to tell you the story of South African soccer. Under Vuyani Joni, I have no doubt this paper will continue to grow and evolve with the game and, most importantly, with the readers who consume it. Here's to the next 1000!
Now let's hear from the founder of this wonderful newspaper, Peter du Toit.
Shapa
Clint
When I started Soccer Laduma nearly 20 years ago, the dream was to bring you, South Africa's football fans, closer to the players and the clubs that you love and support. We wanted to create a situation where the supporters felt that they came first because they got the information first, before anyone else and directly from the players, coaches and officials.
We also made sure that we understood that you, the reader, came first. Everyone who joins Soccer Laduma is told that if they want to work here, they have to understand that you are our boss. We work for you and that is a privilege that we cherish and love. We are here to serve you and to serve the best interests of South African football. The relationship that we have with you has allowed us to become the biggest selling newspaper in South Africa and has seen our digital and social platforms become the biggest in the industry.
I personally want to thank ALL of you for your love and support over ALL these years and for allowing our 1000th edition and our dreams to become a reality. Together, we are a true partnership and together we can only continue to grow.
I also want to thank every member of staff who has been involved with Soccer Laduma throughout the year for all their incredible dedication and love for what they do.
Over nearly 20 years, we have only had three editors. First it was me, then came Clint Roper and now it's Vuyani Joni. Clint did a superb job in taking over from me and now is doing sterling work with our advertisers. Vuyani, who lives and sleeps Soccer Laduma, will continue the traditions and take Soccer Laduma to even greater heights with your continued support. I will also always be here for you.
Once again, thank you so much for your support and for 1000 amazing issues!
We love you!
Thank you
Peter
