THOHOYANDOU – The first Tshivenda and Xitsonga news broadcasts on SABC 2 during the past week, were received with mixed feelings.

The Concerned Group for Marginalised Languages in Limpopo praised the SABC for introduction of the news in these two languages. Mr Mashudu Rasila, chairperson of the group, said they regarded the move as historical.

The group have sent many petitions to the SABC over the past years about this issue. However, Rasila said, the news bulletin is too short.

Meanwhile, Ms Hlekani Masunga said she was excited about the move. She said she now feels like a real citizen of this country. Masunga's sentiments were supported by Gladys Maganu, who still can't believe that "finally we have our own news."

However, Mr David Rampamba said that there is nothing to celebrate about, as the wait was long overdue. Rampamba also raised a concern about the time frame in which the news for these two languages has been allocated.

"It is unfair for SABC to give us news at 17:30, as many of us will still be at work by then," he said. Mmbangiseni Masia also raised the same concern about the time frame.