Capetonians join in 160th birthday party
‘This is not a newspaper if our readers are not involved’ – Editor
FRIDAY JANUARY 13 2017
PASSERS-BY indulged in the Cape Argus’s 160th birthday cake yesterday in St Georges Mall in Cape Town. The newspaper’s staff clad in their white-and-red Cape Argus T-shirts handed out cake to people in the street during their lunch break.
Cape Argus editor Aziz Hartley led the crowd in singing happy birthday.
“Part of my vision is to engage our readers and members of the public. This is not a newspaper if our readers are not involved,” said Hartley, when asked about his decision to give out cake.
“We have hundreds of people passing by our office every day. They look at the posters on the Newspaper House building. We want to engage with them.
“We want to make our birthday everyone’s. We want everyone to participate and celebrate with us, because we know that Cape Town is for Capetonians and we are very much a part of Cape Town.
“We want them to enjoy the occasion. It is part of us going out and making the Argus a household name again. We appreciate it when we can put a smile on people’s faces.”
Former Cape Argus editor, Gasant Abarder, wished the Cape Argus a very happy 160th birthday. “It’s a newspaper that has a special place in my heart since I was editor of this publication twice. It’s a paper I grew up with.
“I’m very happy to say that it has kept the traditions of its founders 160 years ago, to be a paper that is comfortable in a business, but also in a family home. What Aziz Hartley is doing is perfect, because he is connecting communities through this newspaper. That has been the proud tradition of this paper for 160 years. Well done and congratulations to everyone involved.”
“Happy 160th birthday, Cape Argus,” said Sithembile Msutwana, 31, from Gugulethu. “Keep doing what you are doing: telling beautiful stories, motivating and inspiring in every way in every province and every corner.” He wished the Cape Argus all the best for the future.
Khanya Mdana, 23, from Claremont wished the Cape Argus a happy birthday. She said the paper was very informative. “We are able to get updates on a daily basis as to what is going on around us. The newspaper helps us keep up with current affairs. It should keep up the good work and carry on with what it is doing.”
Lux Faltyn, 26, from Mandalay thanked the Cape Argus for keeping him informed and wished the newspaper a very happy 160th birthday.
The massive cake, sponsored by Shoprite, was devoured in 20 minutes. Hartley said he was thankful to Shoprite for coming to the party.