I love our local neighbourhood watch. I'm sure many of you, too, are members of your local street communities that patrol your suburb to keep it safe and clean.
These patriots make me proud to be South African. They affirm my belief that most South Africans are good people who want only the best for their families and children. So, where does News24 fit into all of this?
I'd like you to consider us South Africa’s neighbourhood watch.
Over the past three years, our journalists like Kyle Cowan, Sipho Masondo, Carol Paton, Jeff Wicks and Karyn Maughan have unearthed scandal after scandal. Bosasagate, the Eskom Files, SSA declassified, Jacob Zuma’s continuing dismantling of the justice system, the construction mafia, the Tembisa hospital tender scandal that claimed the life of Babita Deokaran, and the unravelling of Deputy President Paul Mashatile – all of these stories were made possible by News24’s subscribers.
The job of any journalist worth their salt is to answer these basic questions: Who? What? Where? When? And why? Without understanding the latter, a story can feel empty. It’s the "why" that gives our stories meaning.
There comes a time when we must all reevaluate our why and reassess the driving force behind our thoughts, attitudes and actions.
At News24, we are reminding ourselves why we keep going in these often-grueling jobs as we prepare to celebrate our 25-year milestone.
Over the past 25 years, we’ve made you laugh and cry, scream and shout. We covered political bombshells, global disasters, pandemics, world records, diplomatic dramas and sporting triumphs. We shone the spotlight on SA's everyday heroes.
We've brought you perspective-shifting podcasts, politically explosive investigations and internationally celebrated special projects covering everything from elite sports to pandemics and diplomatic dramas.
We've done this because we carry a deep love and passion for South Africa. We truly believe in this country, her people and its endless potential to be better.
Like you, we love South Africa too much to be defeated by despair.
If you feel the same, we invite you to take the next step with News24 and subscribe to South Africa's neighbourhood watch.
We're not holding back on our pursuit of the truth. Let's search for the facts and meaning together.
Regards,
Adriaan