A letter to the editor of the Grocott's Mail has landed a Grahamstown octogenarian a freelance writing job, making her probably one of the country's oldest correspondent at the country's oldest independent newspaper.
Eighty-three-year-old Nomonde Olive Ngesi recently walked from her township home to Rhodes University to deliver a letter to the editor, lamenting the tardiness of Makana Council officials when organising Ward Committee meetings.
Grocott's Mail editor, Sue Mclennan was so reportedly so impressed with the writing of the retired teacher that she offered her a column titled Newtown .. Old Eyes - a chance to view one of Grahamstown's oldest townships through the eyes of someone who has probably seen it all.
Speaking to Algoa FM News, Ma Ngesi, said that she has already written five columns for the newspaper, with future articles also focussing on so-called taxi gossip.
She explains how it all came together.
"The editor read my letter and then started saying what did you do before. I told her that I'm a retired teacher and she made the suggestion that she wanted to make me a columnist. I said, what's that and she explained," Ma Ngesi said.
"You know I couldn't believe that this whole thing ended up in my getting some sort of job. So, now I thought this is going to give me an opportunity to express myself freely and you know with all those things about freedom of speech etc, I'd feel quite happy to address any topic," she added.
News Editor: Sue Maclennan and Ma Ngesi
(Pics: Supplied)
