07 Nov 2013

The unwavering spirit of hard work and the zeal for high achievement has led Mr Murundu Diwanga (35) to realise and live by his dream of producing a local newspaper dubbed The Okavango News.

“One thing you should take note of is the fact that becoming a successful or a millionaire does not come by chance. It is attained through perseverance, untiring effort, commitment and determination”, he said in an interview.

Mr Diwanga who recently worked as a freelancer for the department of Information Services stationed in the Ngamiland region said his product wil lhit the market in mid November and his distribution points would be mostly in the villages in the northwest region such as Shakawe, Serowe, Kasane, Ghanzi and Maun.

The Okavango News would have an initial print run of 1 000 copies and will be produced weekly and sold at a cost of P4.50.  He believes his product would give people more choice. He was optimistic that his newly produced tabloid will do wonders in the market adding that, “I have no fear of competition as I had conducted a market research and realized that my product can penetrate the market without any worrying competition from the existing local newspapers.”

Mr Diwanga, who is also the managing editor, observed that the secret of running a successful business was to exercise patience, show commitment and being disciplined. He saw a gap in the market for a newspaper which serves the entire Ngamiland, adding that his newspaper would specialise and focus on issues of tourism, culture, international news, business and would have a column titled ‘Inside Botswana’ which would focus on development experienced in the  country.

Mr Diwanga, self declared a beneficiary of Remote Area Development Programme, said he could have long started his business as the idea was born when he was working as a security guard at the Department of Veterinary Services in Shakawe in 2001.

“I did not train for news writing but, I had a passion for reading and I liked reading Kutlwano magazine when I was at work,” he added. He said in 2011 he read an article written by Gasebalwe Seretse about a teenager who was devoted to Christianity but later reneged of his religion. He said the article motivated him and that was when his love for writing started.

He resigned from work and started participating in community activities. Mr Diwanga formed some youth groups and designed a newsletter with assistance from the department of social welfare.

He said people did not take him serious as they looked at his family background. They only started recognising him when he wrote impressive articles at the time the former President Festus Mogae addressed a kgotla meeting in Shakawe. He said writing is an art, a talent from God, adding that his interaction with the communities also boosted his confidence of starting a local news paper which would be the voice of the people.

The youthful writer then applied for a youth grant but, was rejected and officers advised him to go for further training. He holds a certificate in public relations and in 2009 after completing his studies, he worked with non-governmental organisations such as BOFWA and BONEPWA as a newsletter designer.

Mr Diwanga re-applied for the youth grant and while waiting, he was employed as a freelancer for the DailyNews in 2012. He was given a grant of P100 000. ENDS