P.O. Box 32 2249 Block FSoshanguve Industrial Site 0164 0152 Soshanguve

Tell: 012 797 2397 marketing@soshtimes.co.za 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

PAGE PREVIEW

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.