Tall and brawny, Mike Loewe can come across as being a bit intimidating, but when he opens up you will find he is actually very friendly. His love for journalism and this town is evident.
Tall and brawny, Mike Loewe can come across as being a bit intimidating, but when he opens up you will find he is actually very friendly. His love for journalism and this town is evident.
Loewe’s blog, ‘Makana Moon’, is an interactive way for citizens of Grahamstown to learn about the issues affecting them. “It suits my personality as a journalist,” he said.
“I love the immediacy. New media and social networks are becoming increasingly important.” “I’m largely a one-person band,” Loewe said. “It’s just my designer and me.”
‘Makana Moon’ still comes out regularly in print, but the popularity of the blog is growing. At the time of going to print, the site had attracted 10 154 hits. ]
On Election Day, Loewe estimated that 545 people had visited the blog for regular updates. Loewe describes ‘Makana Moon’ as a “daily online ‘newspapery’ thing”.
“I’m essentially a freelancer,” Loewe explained. His strong political and social opinions may rub people up the wrong way, but his insight starts a conversation. Being his own boss is both tiring and rewarding. “No one tells me what to do,” he said. “I stand for my work.”
Loewe has to balance the editorial imperative and the business imperative. He calls this an inbuilt schizophrenia in the media.
Loewe has many plans for ‘Makana Moon’. He wants to attract more advertisers and increase business development. He has succeeded in winning across over 100 local business people and professionals.
More young, vibrant businesses are thriving because of an understanding of the different technologies available to them. “The ‘ballies’ need to catch a wake up,” Loewe said. “One day you might take your Kindle to the loo.”
Small-town life is well suited to Loewe and his family. “Grahamstown is a thoughtful, cultural and special society,” he said. Because it is not a big city, it is protected from the influences of big city life.
“Youth in Grahamstown have to create their own existence – friendships, music, culture,” he said. Loewe believes Grahamstown has given his daughters, Kei-Ella and Rosa-Karoo, pupils at DSG, a platform to explore the world.
While he explains how freelancing is a struggle, Loewe’s passion for journalism has been undeterred. “I am a journalist, not an activist. I ask myself ‘Why do I do this? Why don’t I kiss ass and join the corporate world?’” he asked. “But journalism is where my heart lies.”
Loewe is optimistic but realistic. “I have a long way to get to wherever I’m going, but maybe I’ve already arrived.”
