Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle gave the arrival of South Africa’s first Xhosa daily newspaper, I’solezwe lesiXhosa, a huge thumbs up and commended Independent Media for taking the lead in advancing transformation by making news and entertainment available in the region’s dominant language, isiXhosa.
Speaking at the official launch of I’solezwe lesiXhosa at the Regent Hotel in East London on 15 April, Premier Phumulo Masualle, who was the guest of honour at the event, congratulated the editor, Unathi Kondile, the newspaper’s editorial and business team and Independent Media on the launch of the country’s first Xhosa daily newspaper.
“This is a historic occasion. This is the first newspaper that speaks to the majority of people of the Eastern Cape in their mother tongue. More than 80% of the 6,5 million people in this province speak Xhosa. It is an anomaly, therefore, that until now there has been no publication in the language of the most-dominant spoken language of the people of this province. This is a very significant development. We look forward to partnering with it, to ensure we reach our people and to ensure this democracy means something to them and that they can relate to the information provided to them in their own language,” said Premier Masualle.
