MATAVHELA - For decades, people in remote rural villages like Matavhela, north of Thohoyandou, could not access information. A young and ambitious schoolgirl came up with an idea of starting a school newsletter which also serves the interest of the local community. Her class-mates thought she was daydreaming when she said she wanted to fight illiteracy and keep the local community informed through a newsletter, but today, Dzudzanani Netshisaulu (17) is a hero because the community regards her as the star who brought life to the village. Dzudzanani is a Grade 11 learner at Matavhela Secondary School.

She told Mirror: “It is difficult to get newspapers here in the rural areas and we can go for days without reading any. Most of the people here are poor and unemployed and they cannot afford to go to town to buy newspapers. I felt I had to do something because my fellow community members were thirsty for information. I approached my teachers, who supported the idea of a newsletter, and that was the birth of Matavhela Sun Express.”

The newsletter is a 20-page quarterly publication with 500 copies per edition.

Dzudzanani says she manages her time effectively because she has to keep a balance between her schoolwork and her editorial role. Although most of the newsletter’s contents are her own contributions, she also reviews, rewrites and edits the work of her schoolmates.

“I also revise the work of my school mates by rearranging sentences to improve clarity and accuracy. My job also includes offering comments to improve content, grammar and style. I also compose headlines and work on the newsletter’s lay-out so that it must look attractive.”

Believed to be the youngest editor South Africa has ever produced, Dzudzanani did not receive any formal journalistic training, but she told Mirror the recipe of her success.

“Success depends on one’s attitude and determination to complete a task. One has to be committed, disciplined and self-dependent. I read a lot of books and interact with more people to know what is going on around me. The most important thing is to enjoy one’s work and put a 100% performance in everything one does. Journalism has always been in my veins since birth and my dream is to be a professional journalist.”

The newsletter serves as an important tool for communication at the school because it covers topics like education, health, life skills, career guidance, sports and village development matters.

Peter Tshivhandekano (29), an English teacher at the school, told Mirror that Dzudzanani’s hard work has played a significant role towards the development of the school and the local community.

“She does everything on her own and we only assist her where necessary. Regardless of her young age, she has taken a giant step because the sales of the newsletter (R4 each) serve as an important tool for the school’s fundraising strategy. We also use the newsletter as a teaching and learning aid, which also makes our teaching job easier…”

A grade 12 learner at the school, Dakalo Mudzuli (18), said Dzudzanani has set an example that it is possible to make a great contribution to the community, regardless of one’s age. “Her contribution is unquestionable and today, we are enjoying the fruits of her hard labour. The newsletter is very informative and we feel proud of her because she is fighting illiteracy in our little village…”

In conclusion, Dzudzanani urged other young South African journalists to make full use of their talents to develop the society.