When I look back, I realise now that it was a journey of sharing and shared love. I will let you in on a secret that will hopefully help and inspire others. I was 36 years old when I started Soccer Laduma all those years ago and, while I had experience in running my own businesses and of being entrepreneurial, I knew absolutely nothing about publishing and the publishing industry or even about journalism. And believe me, there was a lot to know and find out as this is a multifaceted industry involving national distribution, printing, editing and advertising over and above the standard business issues of managing people and finances. I was so naïve that I didn't realise that I was also taking on the giants of South African business who were worth billions of rands and carried immense influence in the South African business world. They controlled the publishing industry between them and dominated the distribution, printing and advertising networks and had been doing so for almost 100 years. I was literally walking into the lion's den without even realising it. In fact, these industry experts went as far as to tell me that I would fail and that there was no future for a soccer newspaper in this country.
So, how did an upstart like Soccer Laduma go on to challenge and beat the big boys against all the odds? It was simple really. It was and still is about two things, namely love and drive. They actually go hand-in-hand. Like so many millions of people around the world, I have genuinely always been totally in love with the Beautiful Game of football. Ever since I first felt that ball gently roll alongside my foot and become part of me and ever since my dad took me to my first professional game at the age of six, I have loved and lived for football. It has always been the centrifugal force within me. I had found my passion and that in itself is a gift. Wonderfully, millions of other people also have the love and passion for the Beautiful Game that I have. Without realising it fully, I was (and still am) connected to one of the biggest groups in the world, those that have and share the love for football.
So, what was the secret to Soccer Laduma's success? How did we manage to become the biggest newspaper in South Africa against all odds? How did we overtake newspapers that had dominated for so long? Firstly, I surrounded myself with people like myself. People like you! All Soccer Laduma's initial journalists were originally readers. Therefore, I was not only hiring people who shared my love for football but also loved and understood the ethos that Soccer Laduma stood for because they were Soccer Laduma readers themselves. There was no ego involved. That was a conscious decision, which is an easy decision because love is involved. Those of you who can remember will recall that in the early years, our journalists never even had bylines. This was to instill the belief that it's about the story and the reader, not the journalist. It's only when you, our readers, started asking for more information on the editorial team, did we start giving the journalist some spotlight. But the ethos still remained that we represented the voice and opinion of the players, coaches and, most importantly, you, the fans. The intention was to become the publication that the reader could genuinely call their own and feel ownership of. I believe that we succeeded in achieving that, and that truly makes me feel that everything was worthwhile. Anyone who has ever worked at Soccer Laduma will tell you that there is only one thing that you have to believe at the company and that is, the reader is the boss, not me. That it is the reader's opinion that counts and our only job is to make YOU, the reader, happy. In summary, I believe what made it work is that the readers realised early on in the life of Soccer Laduma that we were a publication that, like them, absolutely loved soccer and just wanted to do our best to make them happy. I sincerely believe we achieved that and that makes me feel very happy right now as I write this column for you.
Today, Soccer Laduma is not only an institution and leader in the newspaper industry in South Africa, but we also lead the field in the digital world with the largest online presence across all platforms, including social, in soccer and sport in SA. This growth obviously involved a dedicated and driven team. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude goes to all of them who put their heart and soul into the publication. One of the signs of a successful company will be a company that people stay with over many years. I am very proud of the record we have at Soccer Laduma where most of the team are long-standing members. I remember the first team that we had at Soccer Laduma. Zizi Hollander, now retired, was a huge part of our early success. Her role in our growth was truly immense. She was a one-off. Zizi, the late Vuyo Soko and Monwa Jimlongo were there at the start and played a pivotal role. So too has the man behind the design of the paper, Brent Smith, who is still creating magic 24 years later and still looks the same as on the day he joined. The Soccer Laduma journey of Editor Vuyani Joni is a story that needs to be documented for its inspirational value. So too the journey of new GM Clint Roper, who has also been with the company for over 20 years.
Deputy editor Lunga Adam is another who joined us as a reader. In fact, Zizi hired him because of the quality of his letters to the editor and his story is another inspirational one. Masebe Qina, besides being the best unorthodox dancer in the company, is another whose resilience is to be admired. Edshine Phosa was another who brought his unique Siyagobhoza skills to the team and helped make Siyagobhoza a household soccer term in the country. On that note, I have to salute publicity-shy Eddie Martinuzzi and his world-class Siya team of Gracia Michaels, Mazola Molefe, Tshepang Mailwane, Shaistah Kader, Rouel Van Nelson and Delmain Faver. Not forgetting Joe Crann, now residing in the UK, who was a whizz on the Siya beat. News without a visual presence doesn't work, so big ups to design and production guys Nino Sekeleni and Ryan Mento. Our international section under David Kappel and his superb team of Kurt Buckerfield, Daniel Mendez, Lorenz Kohler and Liam Bekker have done great work in growing that department. Obviously, every team has a backroom that is vital to it success and big thanks to Richard van der Westhuizen, Andries Venter, Michele Vorster, Nozuko Mkonwana, Ntombi Majodina, Joanne Wheal, Blessing Jambaya, Martine Davids, Nicole Greeff and Tseleng Mokae.
One of the highlights of my latter years of Soccer Laduma was to bring our erstwhile rivals into our stable. Very few people know that Kick Off was close to closing down and I am proud to say that it's been a huge pleasure to see its growth on the print and digital side. Zola Doda and Mark Herman and their respective teams have done great work in the product's revival despite walking into previous opposition territory. But that talks back to my original point of sharing the common love, beliefs and ethos. Football legends like Banks Setlhodi, the late Ace Ntsoelengoe, Sergio Dos Santos and Doctor Khumalo have been instrumental to the success of Soccer Laduma. I cannot thank them enough. Thanks also to the numerous players, coaches, managers, administrators and club owners for their support over the years. Big thanks also to my former partners Media24 for their guidance and help. But most of all, to the Soccer Laduma readers, the biggest thank you to all of you for supporting Soccer Laduma over all these years. I will miss you, but I will NEVER ever forget you. I have loved my journey and time with you. I hope I served you well. I can assure you that I always strived to do my very best for you. Thank you for allowing me and for giving me the privilege to do so over the 24+ years that I have. Much gratitude and love. Be safe and stay healthy. Lots of love and the biggest thank you ever.
