Editor's Column By Peter Du Toit

Guys, thank you for being who you are. When I think about Soccer Laduma readers, they are people who all share the same love of South African football.   It's that love and understanding of soccer that has brought us all together. We enjoy the beautiful feeling and energy the game brings us. It's a connection that only soccer lovers can understand… it's a form of true love!   We at Soccer Laduma are filled with gratitude that the paper, the web and mobile sites, our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and now the Soccer Laduma Supporters Club, have been able to play an important role in helping to bring all South African soccer fans together on our various platforms. It's become the biggest and happiest home for SA soccer!   People ask me why Soccer Laduma is so successful. It's simple, really. The reason is because everyone who works at Soccer Laduma has to understand that I am not the boss! They have to understand and believe fully that it's YOU, THE READER, who is in fact our BOSS.   It's our job to make you happy, and I am  pleased to say that over the years, everyone working at Soccer Laduma, and in particular our current team, all understand that it's our job to strive to give you what you want, and to do it with love, passion and full commitment.   Over the 18 years of Soccer Laduma's existence, many wonderful people have worked at Soccer Laduma and have shared and contributed way beyond the call of duty. Zizi Hollander, who recently retired from the paper and was with me from day one, was inspirational. Brent Smith and Clint Roper have been with us for 17 and nearly 16 years respectively… top-class, the best in the business both of them. Vuyo Soko, now sadly no longer with us, was also with us from the beginning. He was a legend for the younger journalists. Also, Vuyani Joni, who has been with us for almost 10 years now… to see him move up the ranks so successfully has been a joy to all of us.   The Siya crew also deserves special mention. Over the years, the Siya crew, a team of only a few members, has broken close to 90 percent of all the stories in SA football… a phenomenal achievement of ability, stamina and love. Their sole aim, as with the rest of the SL team, is to bring the news to you before anyone else, because what makes us most happy is when you, the reader, is happy!    Today, because of your support, Soccer Laduma is the biggest soccer-only publication in the world! We are also the biggest digital sports site in Africa! Everyone connected with Soccer Laduma salutes and thanks you. We are humbled to serve you and the beautiful game that we all love. We are truly blessed.   This leads me to why we started the Soccer Laduma Supporters Club. The Supporters Club allows us to take our relationship with you to another level and, together, where we will be able to take your role in South African football to another level. It's about helping you to have a greater say in South African football and about what happens in Soccer Laduma.    It's been my dream to do something meaningful in football. From the minute I was born, I have loved football. I was lucky enough to play it professionally. For the past 18 years, Soccer Laduma has given me great joy. My vision and dream has always been to give back to the fans and to improve the lives of my passionate, fellow soccer lovers. The Soccer Laduma Supporters Club will allow that to happen. This week, we are really going to get the ball rolling, so please join me!   Once again, thank you to everyone.   Cheers, Peter    P.S. Here is to issue 1000… it's not too far away!

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