Krugersdorp News’ news editor bids a sad farewell

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to my Krugersdorp and West Rand community.

Over the past five years (almost exactly to the day) I have met hundreds of people. You have allowed me inside your homes and your hearts. You have shared your joy and sadness with me.

In the past few years, I have continued to say that we need to write with a purpose and not just for the sake of telling a story. Something good has to come from every story, even if it is just a warning to others. And I hope that message will continue once I leave. I have had my fair share of haters, but then there are those people who became family – the ones who called during my cancer journey, the ones who sent birthday messages, the ones who will stay on my contact list long after I no longer work for the News.

With my last letter to my community, I want to talk about these past five years. In my time here I have reported on hundreds of potholes, leaking pipes, burning lights, uncut grass, corruption, and just all-around bad service. Sadly, I have sat in one too many living rooms trying to hold my tears back while I listen to how a loved one was plucked away brutally and unexpectedly.

I have sat in court listening to the most horrific crimes and gone home only to cry alone. But then I have seen grade ones on their first day of school, I have seen matrics move on to be grown-ups, I have met couples married for many years, and even celebrated with people turning 100.

As I leave the News, I want to ask the community to be patient. Be patient with those I leave behind because they want to fight your fight for you, they want to hold the corrupt accountable but they are still the only people who have to go home and face the same challenges you face.

I want to ask the community to vote, vote when it is time, no, your vote is not a wasted one. Vote as it is the first step in taking our country back, vote for the people you believe will look after your needs.

I want to thank my editors Clinton Botha, Janine Viljoen and Adele Bloem for what they have taught me and for having my back, they had their hands full. I want to thank my colleagues, every one of them, for supporting me and being the strength when things got hard. I want to thank my community for believing in me and trusting me with their stories and I want to thank my family who have lived these past five years having to listen to each and every story.

My last day will be November 30 and I hope that when you walk past me in town, you will stop me for a quick chat. Thank you, Krugersdorp for allowing me to be your voice.