Sowetan has been an integral part of modern South African life. Our struggles, journey to liberation and post-94 status is mirrored by the evolution of the paper.

I have fond memories of my one and only letter to the editor published in Sowetan shortly before our first democratic elections (1993).

At the time, I was an 18-year-old university student making an appeal for black political parties to unite as we approached the last hurdle towards political freedom.

The headline "Do not divide the black voice" remains vivid in my mind.

I remain honoured that the paper saw fit to publish an 18-year-old's potentially naïve thoughts on a respected national platform that is Sowetan.

In 1997, upon my return from my studies in the US, Sowetan captured my journey from Tzaneen to the US and back to Jozi.

The story gave a chronological narration of my journey complemented by a powerful pictorial portrait.

I also hold recollections of funny stories published by the paper, among them, the story by Sy Makaringe on a pink background, with the headline "Felicia Mabuza confesses that she is Shangaan".

I guess being Shangaan was then a sin!

The institution that is Sowetan has contributed towards shaping our collective understanding and outlook to South Africa and the world.

The Nation Building theme has for a long time been honoured and sponsored by Sowetan.

Under the leadership of Aggrey Klaaste, Sowetan helped us understand that we are responsible for the future we wish for.

I challenge the team of our legacy project to continue serving its people with all the commercial, entertainment and nation building obligations it has historically carried with pride, so that all of us can remain "in the know on the move".