Here is Part 2 of our interview with Oupa Khalanga Baloyi, a young man who hails from the remote village of Lulekani in Phalaborwa, and is one of Soccer Laduma's most loyal readers.
To see Part 1, click here.
Oupa: Sometimes I have my days when I'd be stressed, sad and down. Do you want to know which section I go to just to destress? The Still in Touch section. It has helped a lot on my stressful and darkest days. My sister, Soccer Laduma is more than just a paper to me. It has played a huge role in my life, especially in my academics, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I never attended private school in my life but because of Soccer Laduma, I never felt out when it comes to speaking English with others.
Lerato: Eh! This deeper than I imagined! It is indeed more than just a newspaper for you, fam.
Oupa: It is, my sister.
Lerato: Let's go back a bit. Did your parents know anything about you skipping lunch because of your unconditional love for our publication?
Oupa: (Laughs) No, hey! My mother never found out, not even to this day! However, since I'm a born-free and things had already improved in my schooling days, I relied on the free food from school, yup! The feeding scheme!
Lerato: Hahaha! And your mother never ever found out?
Oupa: Hahaha, nex! However, my mother knows my love for Soccer Laduma. There were times when I could not afford to buy the paper, and she would say "Oupa, I haven't seen you read that paper of yours today. I'm assuming you are broke. Here, go buy yourself a copy."
Lerato: Brilliant mother! She speaks our language. Did you ever rope her in as one of our readers also?
Oupa: (Sighs) Sadly, no. My sister, my mother is an uneducated woman. Despite all that, she pays attention to everything that concerns me and the things I'm passionate about. She is one supportive woman and I am blessed to have her. As uneducated as she is, she understands my love for Soccer Laduma and what it's all about.
Lerato: Moving on, do you feel like Soccer Laduma has improved over the years? If so, how?
Oupa: Of course! Listen, Soccer Laduma did not become the best football publication by luck, it is the quality of the news that the paper delivers. There are some features in the paper that have been removed from the publication and replaced by other things.
Lerato: You are the reader, you tell us: are you happy with those changes?
Oupa: Very happy! I have no complaints about anything regarding Soccer Laduma! I love it! If I could prove my love for this paper to you, I would. I really love it!
Lerato: Being one of our regular readers is all the proof we need, Oupa, and we appreciate your support.
Oupa: Oh, I forgot to mention this one thing. I have a friend who resides in Botswana and she is well aware of my love for the paper. Recently, she was telling me that her sons have become regular readers of Soccer Laduma. This is because she also knows how much I love the paper and decided to introduce her young sons to the paper.
Lerato: Absolutely incredible! Oupa, let's leave it there, my brother. It was lovely chatting to you. Anything else from your side?
Oupa: Yes please. I would like to urge all football lovers who need to know anything related to the sport to familiarise themselves with Soccer Laduma. It's a great and educational publication. If it can help me improve my life the way it did, I'm certain it can help others too. The paper is educational in all forms of life. They will not regret buying it.
Lerato: Fantastic! Thank you for sharing your story with us. We truly appreciate it.
Oupa: Thank you so much. Keep well!
