P.O. Box 32 2249 Block FSoshanguve Industrial Site 0164 0152 Soshanguve
Tell: 012 797 2397 [email protected] Fax: 012 797 3582
SOSH TIMES PROFILE
Community-based newspaper in Soshanguve
Published by Versatile Media InstituteA Section 21 Company Reg. no: 2010/014969/08
BACK GROUNDPrints 40 000 copies at monthly interval
Readership is over 160 000 (40 000 x 4) Also publishes in six indigenous
languages spoken in the areas of circulationLanguages include:
(1) Sepedi (2) Setswana (3) Isi-Zulu (4) Isi-Ndebele
(5) Xi-Tsonga (6) Tshi-Venda
CIRCULATION
TSHWANE Metro:
MabopaneGa-RankuwaSoshanguveWinterveldtHammanskraalTembaCity Centre
CIRCULATION
OTHER Places:
MadidiKlipgatHebron MoekaMajaneng
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Sosh Times is a community-based publication and its primary aim is to inform, educate, and entertain and to inspire
communities in their day-to-day developmental and other activities. We print ten thousand (10000) copies on monthly
intervals.
The newspaper is circulated in the areas north of the City of Tshwane. In line with government policy to promote and
encourage reading amongst all sectors of our communities we publish a page in Sosh Times specifically focused on education matters and information. We publish a literature page wherein
learners and tertiary students submit their poems.
We also publish in the six indigenous languages, Sepedi, Setswna, Isi-Zulu, Isi-Ndebele, Xi-Tsonga and Tshi-Venda,
spoken in the areas of our circulation. We have a regular Sepedi column focused on the youth. These languages are written by
experts and other language practioners.
Organisational Background Versatile Media Institute is an Association Incorporated under Section 21. The
organization is based in Soshanguve and was established after the realisation for a need to address the issues affecting communities - especially unemployed young
people-around the townships north of the City of Tshwane and nearby rural areas of the Bojanala District in the North West Province.
The institute is registered as a Non Profit Organisation (Registration No 2010/014969/08) and has six board members drawn from various sectors because of
their different skills and expertise in the fields such as training, Financial Management, Basic Business Management and both Print and Electronic Media..
Versatile Media Institutes publishes a community newspaper, Sosh Times. The Publication report on community issues and it is distributed in the northern parts of
the City of Tshwane and parts of North West Province. Sosh Times also publishes news in indigenous languages spoken in the circulation areas, and it serves as a
communication medium for the residents therein. The institute provides a hands-on skills programme for students studying towards a diploma or degree in journalism,
photography and marketing from private colleges and the Tshwane University of Technology.
Sosh Times is a cracking community publication widely respected both in the public and private sector hitherto, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has also entrusted us with a role to mentor other community publications in South
Africa by providing them with relevant skills such Basic Newspaper Reporting, Newspaper Production and Newspaper Management .
We are currently mentoring Masilonyana community newspaper in the Free State and Ndzamana Community Newspaper in Limpopo.
Programme Activities:
Sosh Times is involved in the following described herein as programme activities: Basic newspaper reporting and production (unemployed youth) – Sales
and Marketing - Internship for journalism and marketing students.
Objectives: Sosh Times, among other activities, equips members of the community
especially young people with coping skills dealing with the demands of life and providing them with knowledge that will enable them to make informed
decisions about their lives, and as competent participants of the society. The focus is on; Life skills, Leadership skills, Communication skills, Basic
Journalism skills, Newspaper production, Sales and Marketing.
Vision A development organisation that will improve the quality of life through
information sharing and community participation. Sosh Times Catch Phrase: Bringing News to the people.
Mission
To provide relevant training, diverse development programmes to people in the communities we serve. Also to focus on building the capacity of individuals and instilling self-worthiness. Encourage young people to become Media owners.