#bct100: Letter: The City Times is part of our story

Jackie Hayter, Northfield Methodist Church, writes:
This morning I was thinking about the Benoni City Times, and the role it has played in my life.

You have been telling the stories OF the Benoni community TO the Benoni community for 100 years.

You have been the voice of the community, and you have played a role in the shaping of the culture of the community.

I have read this newspaper every week for a large part of my life, maybe quite close to half of your life.

Even when I didn’t live in Benoni for a short while, I read the BCT from cover to cover when I visited my parents.

My name and photo have been in those pages.

The names and photos of my family and friends have been in this paper.

The story of the death of my first husband was on the front page of this newspaper.

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My father was held in captivity in Zambia for 13 weeks in 1979, and that story, and the celebration of his release, was in this newspaper.

Stories I have been involved in, and recently a photo I took, have graced those pages.

I don’t think I have ever read one Benoni City Times where there hasn’t been at least one familiar name.

Not only have you told the stories of Benoni for 100 years – you ARE a part of the Benoni story!

Thank you, Benoni City Times, for keeping us informed.

Thank you for telling our stories.

Thank you for sharing our news.

Thank you for celebrating and grieving our lives with us.

Thank you.

Happy birthday!

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