Message from the Editor, Riquadeu Jacobs
The 180th anniversary of The Witness could not have come at a more important time for the newspaper. Previous milestone supplements have, quite understandably, leaned heavily into the paper’s long and layered history, tracing its origins back to 1846 and the founding vision of David Dale Buchanan. That history matters. It gives the institution depth, […]
A pioneer in print. Remembering Trevor Moodley
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD RICHARD MOODLEY Last week my brother-in-law Vishnu sent me a letter that had been published in The Witness, which this year celebrates 180 years of existence. The writer, Jay Jugwanth, congratulated the newspaper on its remarkable milestone and, in doing so, recalled that my late father, Trevor Moodley (PICTURED), had been […]
Do not sit on paper
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD Dashalia Singaram wrote the following piece on her grandfather, and former ‘Witness’ employee Govindasamy Vengatas David. Govindasamy Vengatas David (pictured) is sitting in a picnic chair, an old white plastic one with flimsy joints that strained under even his slight frame. His back is to the window eclipsing the morning sun. […]
A family affair. Three generations of ‘Witness’ employees
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD A family affair. Three generations of ‘Witness’ employees For the Ambrose family, The Witness is more than just a workplace, it is part of a three-generation family legacy. From the early days of the newspaper’s printing operations to today’s digital newsroom, three generations of the Ambrose family have played a role […]
The Chronicle of the Ages
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD The Chronicle of the Ages By Paul Jenkins Whilst the sweep of history moves inexorably on, the passing of the imperceptible seconds is chronicled by the daily reporting of events along the continuum of time. The Witness newspaper (formerly the Natal Witness) has fulfilled this function and a lofty calling for […]
Meet The Witness Newspaper Street Sellers
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD For decades, The Witness newspaper street sellers have helped wake the city with the morning news. Many say the job has not only provided an income, but also lasting relationships with the communities they serve. Reggie Gengiah (69) Street seller for 35 years Reggie Gengiah has been selling newspapers for 35 […]
Snapshots from The Witness’ First Century
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD Snapshots from The Witness’ First Century From a colonial printing press to a changing world In a young colonial town surrounded by rolling hills and wagon tracks, a small printing press began producing a newspaper that would grow into one of South Africa’s longest-running publications — The Natal Witness. Founded in […]
From paper route to professor: How delivering The Witness helped shape Mergan Naidoo’s future
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD From paper route to professor: How delivering The Witness helped shape Mergan Naidoo’s future By Shorne Bennie Delivering The Witness in the early hours of the morning as a teenager helped shape the discipline and determination that would later define the career of one of South Africa’s leading medical professionals. Professor […]
Sketching history
TURNS 180 YEARS OLD Stidy reflects on three decades of political cartooning As The Witness marks 180 years of chronicling the news, one of the paper’s most distinctive voices has often spoken not through words, but through ink.For more than three decades, award-winning cartoonist Anthony “Stidy” Stidolph has captured the mood of the moment in […]
Camaraderie, skill, and sportsmanship expected at St John’s College rugby festival
Camaraderie, skill, and sportsmanship expected at St John’s College rugby festival St John’s College 28th Easter Rugby Festival will introduce an exciting lineup of U16 teams to complement the U13 fixtures. St John’s College is proud to present the 28th St John’s College Easter Rugby Festival, brought to you by Standard Bank, kicking off from […]