"Just because someone attends a top journalism school ... does not mean they will be taught to be great."
Read the article by Moagisi Letlhaku (FJP Coordinator) on The Media Online: http://www.themediaonline.co.za/themedia/view/themedia/en/page255?oid=40499&sn=Detail
10 November, 2009
27 October, 2009
XS Sport wbesite coming soon
The new baby in sports websites will be born soon, the XS Sports website will be launched tomorrow at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium.
This new websites will be covering all types of sports from soccer to baseball. One may asks what will make it different from the existing websites, we are trying cater for sports activities that are taking place in our townships including our schools as well as local teams.
Our main goal is to focus mostly on sports development in our communities as well as some issues around 2010 and how people can benefit from this prestigious event. This website will also give up and coming journalists the platform to show case their writing skills as well as giving them an opportunity to gain experience as journalists by mixing them with the best journo's.
As young as we might be as a website, we have goals that we set to achieve and we would like the public to help us achieving those goals by visiting this website.
You have to patient with us as we are still putting the final touches but by the end of the day tomorrow, the website will be up and running.So I appeal to all the Future Journos to please visit our website and give us the feed back because in that way we will know what the people are expecting from us.
This is the link you must follow:www.xssport.co.za
And remember No games, Just sport.
21 October, 2009
Twice on one Road
by Amanda Onamandla Mathe
It was only two hours did paramedics and police clear up another truck accident along the same road. The only difference was that the second truck would have turned out worse had it not been for Umbilo residents, who went out immediately as they heard the noise to assist the truck driver. The driver came out with minor injuries. A telling sign that road accidents are set for the coming holidays.
15 September, 2009
Declining Youth Newspaper Readership a concern
How often do youngsters pick up a newspaper in a day and read a story or two? If that's pushing it, then maybe a fair question would be how many times youth read newspapers in a week. The simple answer to that is that they either simply do not read newspapers , or if they do, its as little as possible.
The shocking and sad truth is that youth newspaper readership has been declining over the last couple of years. Young people just aren't reading newspapers at all. Note, that this trend is particularly concerned with traditional media. Other media, especially new media have enjoyed growing readership, much to the detriment of traditional media. Global Trends in Media Consumption amongst Millennials has described and profiled millennials as individuals born between the years, 1981 to 2001. So these are youth ranging from 8- 28 years of age. As from 2007, these youngsters’ media consumption patterns have consisted of the fat that they spend most of their time perusing the internet at 37.16 hours a week, with only 2.9 hours dedicated to reading stories on print. Of these 37.16 hours surfing the net, only 8.61 hours are spent directly reading hard news and entertainment beats interchangeably.
This is a worrying trend.
So, the question then would be why youngsters are not reading news on print? Perhaps, as a youngster myself, I could bring the debate how the internet and cell phones make it convenient to read anything, seeing that they are portable- and I don't have to carry pages and pages of printed text with me. This could be a worthy debate, but in all truth and honesty, I do not read the news on my phone. I hate reading anything that is not a sms over the phone. I simply read news on the internet- but through a local area network computer on campus, a home PC or on my laptop. Just not on a cell phone. So this goes to show that there is a fundamentally deeper lacking in newspapers that has little to do with their inconvenient nature, or the current revolution of convergence or media digitization.
To cut the long story short, newspapers consider the youth as passive consumers of the news, and this is their first huge mistake. Youth wants to be involved in the production of news as well. They want to have a voice. That is the reason they are gravitating to the online news platforms, where they can interactively engage in citizen journalism and where their voice can be heard.
In the article, Youth are the News, Katina Paron, highlights that "Life-long readership of newspapers sustains the success of a news publication". Yet, to ensure this life long readership success, she emphasises that newspapers need to get youth involved as readers and active participants in the production of news- to ensure that they grow with this reading culture. The good news is there are ways for newspapers to involve young people in news media. Several propositions to do this surfaced at the World Young Readers Conference. It was discovered that youth want to have its own section in a newspaper- a section produced by the youth for the youth. And the youth ambassadors present at this conference proposed a 'PERFECT TEEN SECTION'- inclusive of vox pops, a separate identity from the parent newspaper with news and sports editorial, shout outs and a whole lot more fun but educational sections.
LOCALLY
Here in Grahamstown, Grocott's Mail is doing a wonderful job to get youth more enthusiastic in reading newspapers. Grocott's Mail has developed a youth newspaper project called Upstart. All the content on upstart is produced by the youth. The paper even has an advice column and ‘letters to us’- where learners write to the paper about how it has helped them. There is also news, exams, careers, poetry, arts, games and shout outs sections.
Whilst addressing the Sol Plaatje Media Management postgraduate class, General Manager at Grocott's Mail, Louise Vale, acknowledged that "our country is in a state of urgency as far as youth readership is concerned." Louise was referring to the genesis of the Upstart youth supplement which has gotten the whole of young Grahamstown involved in and enthusiastic about reading newspapers and news production. Upstart is a project of Grocott's Mail that sees learners from underprivileged schools and former Model C schools work together in contributing content for the supplement. The youth supplement is catering for the emotional Diaspora of Grahamstown, combating the low literacy levels and poor matric results through improving the culture of newspaper readership. The project is managed by Shireen Badat and publishing intern, Nompumezo Makinana. The editorial team however, consists of student representatives from the different schools which contribute to Upstart.
So, it all starts here. Newspapers must give youngsters a platform to have a voice in the paper and must treat youngsters as equals in the production process, where issues that concern the youth are issues regarded equally important in the mainstream editorial hub. And most importantly- the issue of having a 55 year old ‘youth editor’ does not sink well with me. Have the youth manage its own issues because they will best represent it in a manner and language understandable to fellow youth- preventing being ‘talked down to’ as youth have explained.
BY: Nqobile08
The shocking and sad truth is that youth newspaper readership has been declining over the last couple of years. Young people just aren't reading newspapers at all. Note, that this trend is particularly concerned with traditional media. Other media, especially new media have enjoyed growing readership, much to the detriment of traditional media. Global Trends in Media Consumption amongst Millennials has described and profiled millennials as individuals born between the years, 1981 to 2001. So these are youth ranging from 8- 28 years of age. As from 2007, these youngsters’ media consumption patterns have consisted of the fat that they spend most of their time perusing the internet at 37.16 hours a week, with only 2.9 hours dedicated to reading stories on print. Of these 37.16 hours surfing the net, only 8.61 hours are spent directly reading hard news and entertainment beats interchangeably.
This is a worrying trend.
So, the question then would be why youngsters are not reading news on print? Perhaps, as a youngster myself, I could bring the debate how the internet and cell phones make it convenient to read anything, seeing that they are portable- and I don't have to carry pages and pages of printed text with me. This could be a worthy debate, but in all truth and honesty, I do not read the news on my phone. I hate reading anything that is not a sms over the phone. I simply read news on the internet- but through a local area network computer on campus, a home PC or on my laptop. Just not on a cell phone. So this goes to show that there is a fundamentally deeper lacking in newspapers that has little to do with their inconvenient nature, or the current revolution of convergence or media digitization.
To cut the long story short, newspapers consider the youth as passive consumers of the news, and this is their first huge mistake. Youth wants to be involved in the production of news as well. They want to have a voice. That is the reason they are gravitating to the online news platforms, where they can interactively engage in citizen journalism and where their voice can be heard.
In the article, Youth are the News, Katina Paron, highlights that "Life-long readership of newspapers sustains the success of a news publication". Yet, to ensure this life long readership success, she emphasises that newspapers need to get youth involved as readers and active participants in the production of news- to ensure that they grow with this reading culture. The good news is there are ways for newspapers to involve young people in news media. Several propositions to do this surfaced at the World Young Readers Conference. It was discovered that youth want to have its own section in a newspaper- a section produced by the youth for the youth. And the youth ambassadors present at this conference proposed a 'PERFECT TEEN SECTION'- inclusive of vox pops, a separate identity from the parent newspaper with news and sports editorial, shout outs and a whole lot more fun but educational sections.
LOCALLY
Here in Grahamstown, Grocott's Mail is doing a wonderful job to get youth more enthusiastic in reading newspapers. Grocott's Mail has developed a youth newspaper project called Upstart. All the content on upstart is produced by the youth. The paper even has an advice column and ‘letters to us’- where learners write to the paper about how it has helped them. There is also news, exams, careers, poetry, arts, games and shout outs sections.
Whilst addressing the Sol Plaatje Media Management postgraduate class, General Manager at Grocott's Mail, Louise Vale, acknowledged that "our country is in a state of urgency as far as youth readership is concerned." Louise was referring to the genesis of the Upstart youth supplement which has gotten the whole of young Grahamstown involved in and enthusiastic about reading newspapers and news production. Upstart is a project of Grocott's Mail that sees learners from underprivileged schools and former Model C schools work together in contributing content for the supplement. The youth supplement is catering for the emotional Diaspora of Grahamstown, combating the low literacy levels and poor matric results through improving the culture of newspaper readership. The project is managed by Shireen Badat and publishing intern, Nompumezo Makinana. The editorial team however, consists of student representatives from the different schools which contribute to Upstart.
So, it all starts here. Newspapers must give youngsters a platform to have a voice in the paper and must treat youngsters as equals in the production process, where issues that concern the youth are issues regarded equally important in the mainstream editorial hub. And most importantly- the issue of having a 55 year old ‘youth editor’ does not sink well with me. Have the youth manage its own issues because they will best represent it in a manner and language understandable to fellow youth- preventing being ‘talked down to’ as youth have explained.
BY: Nqobile08
11 September, 2009
New project for investigative reporting in Africa
The world of journalism is very broad and as a result information is often communicated through news agencies and correspondents.
The Ujima Project: Investigating reporting for Africa has developed new and efficient ways that allow for journalists to gather information. This is a new project that was created by the Great Lakes Media Institute and is headed by a team of journalists from Africa and the US; namely- Sally Stapleton, who is a deputy managing director for The Day newspaper, Ron Nixon a reporter for the New York Times , an architect and lead developer of the Ujima Project, and Stephen C. Miller, an editor, reporter and technology consultant.
The project is an incubator to develop a digital house to disseminate nonpartisan data relevant to Africa. The project is in the form of a website for the use by journalists and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). It “allows access to factual data and to information that may not be readily available in many African countries”.
The non-profit project aims to help journalists, but the audience can also use the site to get information they need. Information is updated at least once a month, for the convenience of the people. This project is funded by the Open Society Institute, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Ford Foundation and members of the Great Lakes Media Institute.
There are to be new ways in which people can access this website and not only on the internet but as well on their mobile phones, which is still in the developing process. This particular project is still new and members will appreciate feedback and criticisms and journalists are urged to follow the blog as a form of interactivity.
By: Samu Makhubu
The Ujima Project: Investigating reporting for Africa has developed new and efficient ways that allow for journalists to gather information. This is a new project that was created by the Great Lakes Media Institute and is headed by a team of journalists from Africa and the US; namely- Sally Stapleton, who is a deputy managing director for The Day newspaper, Ron Nixon a reporter for the New York Times , an architect and lead developer of the Ujima Project, and Stephen C. Miller, an editor, reporter and technology consultant.
The project is an incubator to develop a digital house to disseminate nonpartisan data relevant to Africa. The project is in the form of a website for the use by journalists and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO). It “allows access to factual data and to information that may not be readily available in many African countries”.
The non-profit project aims to help journalists, but the audience can also use the site to get information they need. Information is updated at least once a month, for the convenience of the people. This project is funded by the Open Society Institute, Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Ford Foundation and members of the Great Lakes Media Institute.
There are to be new ways in which people can access this website and not only on the internet but as well on their mobile phones, which is still in the developing process. This particular project is still new and members will appreciate feedback and criticisms and journalists are urged to follow the blog as a form of interactivity.
By: Samu Makhubu
Development journalism re-evaluated
“I do not believe that development journalism is boring, Bad journalism is boring,” said Professor Alfred E Opubor. He was part of a panel discussion during the Highway Africa conference which addressed the significance of training more journalists on how to report for development
The problem facing media society is that not many journalists put their energy in reporting enough on development. “The problem is that there is a “flavour of the month” approach to news”, says Professor Opubor. African Editors Forum deputy chair, Cheriff Sy, also added that the developmental issue can be blamed on bad governance which neglects journalist’s knowledge and leaves them vulnerable to NGOs which only approach journalists out of lobbying interest towards certain politics and environmental issues.
The solution to this issue is complex but also possible once approached “We need to take journalists out to the streets and out of the classroom. We need to make sure that they are well informed about society”, says Professor Opubor.
by Anele Ngwenya
The problem facing media society is that not many journalists put their energy in reporting enough on development. “The problem is that there is a “flavour of the month” approach to news”, says Professor Opubor. African Editors Forum deputy chair, Cheriff Sy, also added that the developmental issue can be blamed on bad governance which neglects journalist’s knowledge and leaves them vulnerable to NGOs which only approach journalists out of lobbying interest towards certain politics and environmental issues.
The solution to this issue is complex but also possible once approached “We need to take journalists out to the streets and out of the classroom. We need to make sure that they are well informed about society”, says Professor Opubor.
by Anele Ngwenya
08 September, 2009
JOURNALISTS MUST INVESTIGATE ELECTIONS FOR DEMOCRACY TO EXCEL IN AFRICA
The Highway Africa 2009 conference, on the centre of Africa’s debates on journalism and new media ends today with more Workshops, debates, seminars and roundtable discussions. One of such was the Reporting Democracy : Media and Elections in Africa , a roundtable discussion concerned with the way african journalists report elections and their efforts towards finally instilling democracy in their various countries. One of the speakers on the panel was Kwami Ahiabenu, Director of Penplusbytes and also team leader for the African Elections Project aimed at covering elections in africa using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
After his presentation we had a very enriching chat with him on his ideas, opinions, achievements and future hope as concerns Journalists reporting Democracy and elections in Africa. This is an excerpt of the interview.
How did the idea come to you to create the African Elections Project?
I realised that a lot of journalists lacked the capacity in election coverage. It is a training institute where we have been training journalists on a couple of topics based on capacityy building in ICT election coverage. So we came up with this idea of the African Elections Project aimed at building the capacity of journalists to use new ICT tools to do election reporting.
So how important is indepth knowledge for journalists to ensure a viable report?
It is very crucial. It is just like a pilot knowing the geography of his destination. We do not expect journalists to become experts in elections but they need to know the “before”, “during” and “after” election process. They need to know the constitutrion, the law of the land, what you can or cannot do.
During the seminar you insisted on the media carrying out investigative journalism to ensure correct elections reporting, what do you mean by that?
Basically, ehhrr, what we observe is that most of the journalists just go on and report on violence, what political leaders say and never implement , and we discover that a lot of things happen during elections that journalists could investigate on. In order to get a credible , free and fair elections we need to improve on our investigative journalism.
A little bit away from the journalist in particular and more into your activities under the African Elections Project. Lets talk a little bit about your launching the first ever elections project for Malawi in the month of may 2009. What was it designed to do?
Malawi is a very interesting country. Due to the fact that it is a small country people do not have a lot of interest in it, but we decided to pay attention to its electoral process. The international media was only going to do a comarative coverage of it, fly a reporter in and than out but we decided to have an indepth analysis of the situation there; ensuring that we have news on the process before, during and after . More importantly in Malawi we did a project called the “voices project” where we sent all our reporters all over Malawi to actually gather information on ordinary citizens which the mainstream media will not report.
What are the other countries your project will be geared towards in the future?
We are presently in ghana, mauritania and malawi. We will launch in cote d’ivoire, Niger, Egypt and in Southern Africa we are looking at Namibia, Botswana and mozambique. We hope to reach to all th 52 countries but its one country at a time. (laughs)
What is your take on the recent reporting of the elections in South Africa by the journalists?
One can’t say it (reporting)was perfect, but things are changing but again maybe the rythym of change is not fast enough.
Kwami Ahiabenu is also the director of Penplusbytes which is a group of journalists interested in linking ICT’s and journalism looking at the new media.
By Patience Fominyen and Salouka Nourou-dhine
Le bilinguisme... le chemin sur
Eduardo Avila, the founder and director of the Bolivian People's Voices project, emphasised the need for bilingualism in the bloggosphere.
The journalist who said, "I blogg in English and twitter in Spanish", insisted that his choices as a reporter are a function of his target audiences. While stating that multi-lingual people should be a bridge in the efforts to revive and sustain local languages, Avila highlighted the need for blogs to be created in these local languages in anticipation of eventual internet literacy even in countries like Cameroon where over 200 languages exist where less than 5% of the population are internet savvy.
Avila started the project to promote the use of the indigenious languages in Bolivia. Bolivians are taught how to blog in their own languages, upload photos and podcasts, and partake in the twittering phenomenon.
The project runs workshops and mentorships to help locals use internet resources and practice citizen journalism.
By: Chwayitisa Futshane and Chem-Langhee Bifon
Mobile Technology is Africa's solution
Amidst the darkness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, a little light shines.
HIV/Aids has affected and infected many people from all walks of life in an agonising way, particularly in Africa. Yet, the struggle is not lost. The whole world continues to search for ways to prevent, manage and cure the disease.
Cell-Life is one such organisation, striving to provide innovative technology solutions for the management of HIV/AIDS. It has come up with a new idea that addresses how organisations and communities can use mobile media in the fight against the pandemic. During their session, Using Mobile Media for Social Change, at the 2009 Highway Africa conference, Cell-Life introduced a new concept to combat the pandemic which is based on information communication technology (ICT) social empowerment.
The solution to Africas HIV/AIDS problem is cell phones. Armed with internet applications, cell phones can perform more functions just in one compact device than any other medium and they reach a large audience in Africa.
Cell-life uses cell phones for mass messaging- giving prevention and positive living information, linking patients and clinics whilst giving peer-to-peer support and counselling. And all of this can be done through a cell phone. Cell Life’s project also focuses on building organisational capacity for HIV-related organisations and also deals with monitoring and evaluating such projects.
For more information on Cell-Life you can visit their site on: www.cell-life.org.za or call them on: +27 21 469 1111.
By: Ongezwa and Zukiswa
HIV/Aids has affected and infected many people from all walks of life in an agonising way, particularly in Africa. Yet, the struggle is not lost. The whole world continues to search for ways to prevent, manage and cure the disease.
Cell-Life is one such organisation, striving to provide innovative technology solutions for the management of HIV/AIDS. It has come up with a new idea that addresses how organisations and communities can use mobile media in the fight against the pandemic. During their session, Using Mobile Media for Social Change, at the 2009 Highway Africa conference, Cell-Life introduced a new concept to combat the pandemic which is based on information communication technology (ICT) social empowerment.
The solution to Africas HIV/AIDS problem is cell phones. Armed with internet applications, cell phones can perform more functions just in one compact device than any other medium and they reach a large audience in Africa.
Cell-life uses cell phones for mass messaging- giving prevention and positive living information, linking patients and clinics whilst giving peer-to-peer support and counselling. And all of this can be done through a cell phone. Cell Life’s project also focuses on building organisational capacity for HIV-related organisations and also deals with monitoring and evaluating such projects.
For more information on Cell-Life you can visit their site on: www.cell-life.org.za or call them on: +27 21 469 1111.
By: Ongezwa and Zukiswa
Africa is capable
Journalist’s need to start believing that Africans are capable of achieving great things. Seeing that the world cup will be hosted on African soil, shouldn’t then the chief responsibility lie with Africa’s journalists to change the mindset of their colleagues abroad?
All doubts surrounding Africa’s capability to host the 2010 world cup were officially put to bed when journalists attended the Highway Africa MTN Opening Reception at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is one of the stadiums due to host semi-final matches for the 2010 world cup. The evening began with tours of Port Elizabeth and the stadium, showcasing exquisite architecture and staying true to elements of South African branding.
APPLAUSE
Hosted by MTN, the event was simply superb. Starters came and so did the speeches! Domini Bonnesse, lead architect of the stadium, presented the designing process of the stadium from base construction to the fine finishing. MTN’s Group Events and Corporate Affairs Executive Director, Nozipho January-Bardill, also shared her sentiments of pride and excitement at the opportunity of hosting the world cup.
Dr. Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee hammered away rumours concerning South Africa’s inability to host the world’s greatest gaming event. Jordaan highlighted that Africa has had to wait over a hundred years in order to host a world event of this magnitude. “We must engage our fellow journalists who live abroad… and we need to lead with news information that speaks the truth of this continent,” Jordaan said, encouraging African journalists to be the front runners in mapping Africa to the world.
MANY FIRSTS
Jordaan stated that Africa will pull in the biggest revenue in the history of any FIFA world cup. So far, Africa has the highest record of volunteers, currently standing at 15 000 and South Africa will be the first hosting country to have new stadiums built specially for the cup. And the stadiums are definitely in a class that the world has not witnessed yet.
And so, the countdown has begun! The construction is nearing completion with all stadia due to reach completion in October. All cities are under renovation and news and transport systems are being tested. So one can only ask how Africa can possibly not be ready when so much is being done.
By Amanda Onamandla Mathe
All doubts surrounding Africa’s capability to host the 2010 world cup were officially put to bed when journalists attended the Highway Africa MTN Opening Reception at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last night. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is one of the stadiums due to host semi-final matches for the 2010 world cup. The evening began with tours of Port Elizabeth and the stadium, showcasing exquisite architecture and staying true to elements of South African branding.
APPLAUSE
Hosted by MTN, the event was simply superb. Starters came and so did the speeches! Domini Bonnesse, lead architect of the stadium, presented the designing process of the stadium from base construction to the fine finishing. MTN’s Group Events and Corporate Affairs Executive Director, Nozipho January-Bardill, also shared her sentiments of pride and excitement at the opportunity of hosting the world cup.
Dr. Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee hammered away rumours concerning South Africa’s inability to host the world’s greatest gaming event. Jordaan highlighted that Africa has had to wait over a hundred years in order to host a world event of this magnitude. “We must engage our fellow journalists who live abroad… and we need to lead with news information that speaks the truth of this continent,” Jordaan said, encouraging African journalists to be the front runners in mapping Africa to the world.
MANY FIRSTS
Jordaan stated that Africa will pull in the biggest revenue in the history of any FIFA world cup. So far, Africa has the highest record of volunteers, currently standing at 15 000 and South Africa will be the first hosting country to have new stadiums built specially for the cup. And the stadiums are definitely in a class that the world has not witnessed yet.
And so, the countdown has begun! The construction is nearing completion with all stadia due to reach completion in October. All cities are under renovation and news and transport systems are being tested. So one can only ask how Africa can possibly not be ready when so much is being done.
By Amanda Onamandla Mathe
Opening the Highway
“People must be educated and fed, before they can begin to appreciate democracy.” These were the cutting words of Salim Badat the Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University.
Speaking at the opening of the 13th Annual Highway Africa Conference, Badat tackled the Conference theme of “Reporting Africa: 2010, Development and Democracy”. He placed the concepts of democracy and development into two categories’, thin and thick. Badat explained thin democracy as looking at the formal and academic borders of the concept, while thick democracy acknowledged, defended and proclaimed the rights of individuals.
Badat also described development in these terms as he ascertained that thin development was more economic in its nature, while thick development encapsulated social and political norms which allow a country to move forward. The challenge that he put forward was for journalists to keep these ideas firmly in mind especially in reporting 2010.
Badats’ speech marked the beginning of the two day conference which consists of a number of class journalists, bloggers, academics and citizen journalists, who have descended on Rhodes University this week.
By: Chwayitisa Nandisa Futshane
Pics: Masebe Qina
07 September, 2009
Gender, Civil Society and Digital Media
The link between gender,civil society and digital media has never been easy to produce. Nthateng Mhlambiso and Maureen Agena are given the platform to bring up ways that assist in linking the concepts.They successfully do this by creating programmes that deal the 'women and their illiteracy and HIV in remote areas of Uganda' and the 'gays, lesbian, bisexuals, transgender and intersex'.
Highway Africa sponsors encourage ICT
Getting sponsors for any venture is no joke. And in the media, finding sponsors that encourage use of innovative technology and getting them to pledge allegiance and provide sustainability for new media projects might require a bit of wand weaving.
Yet, some corporations are thinking big and are investing in the future of Africa’s new media landscape. MTN, MultiChoice, Telkom and the Department of Communications are some of the giant players promoting the use of new technology in journalism and are currently exhibiting at the 2009 Highway Africa conference. These corporate titans are not solely sponsoring South Africa new media projects but have extended their reach to vast Africa as they are aware of the challenges African media is facing.
Group Executive for MTN Group, Zolisa Masiza says “we need journalists to cover the World Cup using the new technology that is easy to be used by everyone else.” Masiza adds that with Africa’s economic and infrastructural adversities, there is no easier way to approach the new media venture but through the most popular networking tool, the cell phone.
MultiChoice has introduced mobile television which citizens can view anywhere, enabling the watch of soccer matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fathima Ebrahim, communications specialist at MultiChice SA says, “This mobile television is more advanced than the usual cell phone’s applications and it is only available in Africa for now.”
Reported by Lwando and Lucky.
Yet, some corporations are thinking big and are investing in the future of Africa’s new media landscape. MTN, MultiChoice, Telkom and the Department of Communications are some of the giant players promoting the use of new technology in journalism and are currently exhibiting at the 2009 Highway Africa conference. These corporate titans are not solely sponsoring South Africa new media projects but have extended their reach to vast Africa as they are aware of the challenges African media is facing.
Group Executive for MTN Group, Zolisa Masiza says “we need journalists to cover the World Cup using the new technology that is easy to be used by everyone else.” Masiza adds that with Africa’s economic and infrastructural adversities, there is no easier way to approach the new media venture but through the most popular networking tool, the cell phone.
MultiChoice has introduced mobile television which citizens can view anywhere, enabling the watch of soccer matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Fathima Ebrahim, communications specialist at MultiChice SA says, “This mobile television is more advanced than the usual cell phone’s applications and it is only available in Africa for now.”
Reported by Lwando and Lucky.
06 September, 2009
African Journalism is the New and Old
The Digital Citizen Indaba is a platform for discovering innovative ways of rapidly transporting information.
Traditional forms of communication are being broken at a radical pace. Gone are the days where schools would send out newsletters to inform parents of school meetings, changes in schedules and other important notices. School’s can now use short message services(sms’s)- the simplest, fastest and cost effective form of communication. So yes, this means there will be no more lying or hiding of letters from your parents.
Disbussi Tande, a blogger from Cameroon, was the keynote speaker at the State of Social Justice and Digital Media in Africa – one of the many session at the 2009 DCI. Tande said that “Once you have determined the tool, you need to identify the story you want told, and in which form and medium.” He emphasised that journalists need to figure out who they are targeting, in order to find objectives which then need to be accompanied with a strategy. This will determine the tool which can work best.
A perfect example of this is Facebook and Twitter- two of the greatest and newest forms of communication. These contain all sorts of interesting devices such as chatting to friends, showing off pictures and creating a community where citizens can voice their opinions.
Tande stated that traditional forms of communication are still very much alive however the process in which to obtain and publish information has not fallen away.
By: Amanda Onamandla Mathe
Traditional forms of communication are being broken at a radical pace. Gone are the days where schools would send out newsletters to inform parents of school meetings, changes in schedules and other important notices. School’s can now use short message services(sms’s)- the simplest, fastest and cost effective form of communication. So yes, this means there will be no more lying or hiding of letters from your parents.
Disbussi Tande, a blogger from Cameroon, was the keynote speaker at the State of Social Justice and Digital Media in Africa – one of the many session at the 2009 DCI. Tande said that “Once you have determined the tool, you need to identify the story you want told, and in which form and medium.” He emphasised that journalists need to figure out who they are targeting, in order to find objectives which then need to be accompanied with a strategy. This will determine the tool which can work best.
A perfect example of this is Facebook and Twitter- two of the greatest and newest forms of communication. These contain all sorts of interesting devices such as chatting to friends, showing off pictures and creating a community where citizens can voice their opinions.
Tande stated that traditional forms of communication are still very much alive however the process in which to obtain and publish information has not fallen away.
By: Amanda Onamandla Mathe
Gender and sexuality issues - a journalists' obligation
So, what do journalists say on gender and homosexuality- particulary in the age of digital citizens, where production of stories is in the hands of the individuals themselves?
Maureen Agenda of “Women of Uganda Network” spoke about what her organisation is doing to empower rural Ugandan women by giving them a platform for conversation about the problems and issues they face on a daily basis. She discussed how these women get an opportunity to converse about problems with farming their crops, looking after their households while living in polygamous marriages and the dangers of contracting HIV. In the panel discussion, termed, Gender, Civil Society and Digital Media, there was much deliberation around the reporting of issues related to sexuality and women, the primary focus being women in Uganda. Maureen established that the best mediums of communication for these women are radio and telephones as many of them are still uneducated.
This discussion took place at Eden Grove, Rhodes University in Grahamstown at the Digital Citizen Indaba Conference. The indaba forms part of the Highway Africa conference,running from 6-8 September. Highway Africa is currently abuzz with activity as a plethora of top class professional and citizens journalists have gathered to discuss the role journalism plays in reporting on issues affecting the marginalised.
Nthateng Mhlambiso, the Managing Editor of “Behind the Mask” spoke about the need for journalists to report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and inter-sex (L.G.B.T.I)issues in the media. The media was urged to assume its place in society and give minorities a voice even if that means having sector specific media.
By: Chwayitisa and Hunadi
Maureen Agenda of “Women of Uganda Network” spoke about what her organisation is doing to empower rural Ugandan women by giving them a platform for conversation about the problems and issues they face on a daily basis. She discussed how these women get an opportunity to converse about problems with farming their crops, looking after their households while living in polygamous marriages and the dangers of contracting HIV. In the panel discussion, termed, Gender, Civil Society and Digital Media, there was much deliberation around the reporting of issues related to sexuality and women, the primary focus being women in Uganda. Maureen established that the best mediums of communication for these women are radio and telephones as many of them are still uneducated.
This discussion took place at Eden Grove, Rhodes University in Grahamstown at the Digital Citizen Indaba Conference. The indaba forms part of the Highway Africa conference,running from 6-8 September. Highway Africa is currently abuzz with activity as a plethora of top class professional and citizens journalists have gathered to discuss the role journalism plays in reporting on issues affecting the marginalised.
Nthateng Mhlambiso, the Managing Editor of “Behind the Mask” spoke about the need for journalists to report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and inter-sex (L.G.B.T.I)issues in the media. The media was urged to assume its place in society and give minorities a voice even if that means having sector specific media.
By: Chwayitisa and Hunadi
01 September, 2009
It's Possible
Well I haven't been telling you fellow FJP's how difficult it has been working at a Sunday paper. I still don't know WHY I got to do my inservice training at a Weekend paper, not that I'm complaining but it's for seasoned journalists. I don't even have proper contacts in the world of weekend newspapers and so it's become a mission for me to be a success.
Well I got my first lead story!!! It lead in the Sunday Tribune AND the Sunday Independent, but without my by-line (they cheated me :-) ), but either way I know that I got it.
I also got ANOTHER front page story. It was actually a series on prostitution in Durban and it was an eye-opener. I actually got teary eyed at one point- now don't judge me, even Buhle can shed a tear or two- and we were chased by P*I*M*P*S! That was scary, but it was also a huge adrenaline rush.
So guys it is possible, no matter how difficult and impossible you think it is, if you just pervere, you'll be fine!!!
Well I got my first lead story!!! It lead in the Sunday Tribune AND the Sunday Independent, but without my by-line (they cheated me :-) ), but either way I know that I got it.
I also got ANOTHER front page story. It was actually a series on prostitution in Durban and it was an eye-opener. I actually got teary eyed at one point- now don't judge me, even Buhle can shed a tear or two- and we were chased by P*I*M*P*S! That was scary, but it was also a huge adrenaline rush.
So guys it is possible, no matter how difficult and impossible you think it is, if you just pervere, you'll be fine!!!
27 August, 2009
Women's Month, hmm...?
What began as movement against the legalisation of Dompass for women has now turned into a month of honouring, appreciation, valuating, presenting a women as the compass of the world and life.
Women Now
In this entire month alone I have heard more women news related issues. I have also heard more about what is going on with women that have and that will be making their mark in South Africa as a whole. I find it inspiring that as South Africans women are given the opportunity to voice their opinions, share business transactions and still be loved as mothers and lovers or friends.
The only aspect that still bothers me is that not all men necessary agree with all that is being done. They may smile and clap hands, but we all know how easy it is to put on a facade. My only worry is that may we not forget that there are women who still oppressed by men in the workplace, at home and anywhere else that women venture into.
Caster Semenya
The amount of public humiliation that that young women went through is inexcusable. I agree with the president of Athletics South Africa that the IAAF should apologise for humiliating her, however I must state in the same breathe that what happened at the arrival press conference was just as embarrassing as the accusations the IAAF place against Semenya. How can something about be about uplifting this young women turn into a race row. Yes it is interesting that there were no white people present for the arrival of the athletis, but the conference and the circumstances around Semenya was not the avenue to release such a discussion or negative comments. Not once did Semenya speack during that conference, and one can question whether she was told not to or she chose not to. Even what transpired in that conference was trully a bad reputation of South Africans, making it seem like we are willing to pull the race card whenever it suits us. I understand that the actions of the IAAF would come across as jealous move to stamped black people or should I say Africans, because let us be honest we have white women/European women that look like men.
Finally
And finally to all the girls of Future Journalists Programme and Highway Africa, "Happy Women's Month" and may it be not just about honouring or appreciating but may it be seen that women are powerful atom bombs who explode greatness, love, patience, care and passion. They are the kind of atom bombs that restore and leave a legacy only to remembered by those came close to her heart. May God continually bless all the women of South Africa.
Women Now
In this entire month alone I have heard more women news related issues. I have also heard more about what is going on with women that have and that will be making their mark in South Africa as a whole. I find it inspiring that as South Africans women are given the opportunity to voice their opinions, share business transactions and still be loved as mothers and lovers or friends.
The only aspect that still bothers me is that not all men necessary agree with all that is being done. They may smile and clap hands, but we all know how easy it is to put on a facade. My only worry is that may we not forget that there are women who still oppressed by men in the workplace, at home and anywhere else that women venture into.
Caster Semenya
The amount of public humiliation that that young women went through is inexcusable. I agree with the president of Athletics South Africa that the IAAF should apologise for humiliating her, however I must state in the same breathe that what happened at the arrival press conference was just as embarrassing as the accusations the IAAF place against Semenya. How can something about be about uplifting this young women turn into a race row. Yes it is interesting that there were no white people present for the arrival of the athletis, but the conference and the circumstances around Semenya was not the avenue to release such a discussion or negative comments. Not once did Semenya speack during that conference, and one can question whether she was told not to or she chose not to. Even what transpired in that conference was trully a bad reputation of South Africans, making it seem like we are willing to pull the race card whenever it suits us. I understand that the actions of the IAAF would come across as jealous move to stamped black people or should I say Africans, because let us be honest we have white women/European women that look like men.
Finally
And finally to all the girls of Future Journalists Programme and Highway Africa, "Happy Women's Month" and may it be not just about honouring or appreciating but may it be seen that women are powerful atom bombs who explode greatness, love, patience, care and passion. They are the kind of atom bombs that restore and leave a legacy only to remembered by those came close to her heart. May God continually bless all the women of South Africa.
21 August, 2009
Your Own Beat
So how many of you have chosen what field of journalism you going to and if you are going to specialise on that particular issue? Maybe crime, financial, politics or sports? Do you know what you want to do?
I did know what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a REAL journo- hard news; no fear no favour type journalism; wont leave a stone unturned type journalism. I wanted to make sure that no one ever goes unaccountable to the law and must suffer all their misdeads. I guess that was what I thought journalism was. But I have since changed my mind.
I hate that type of journalism. I really do. It's miserable, lonley and too damn complicated and difficult to enjoy. There's hardly any sleep, hardly time for family and you are always on the witch hunt. That is not life. Then I decided to do something that I do like... Fashion.
I love fashion. I eat, breathe, sleep fashion. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I make sure that when it comes to fashion, I know what I'm talking about. It's something that I love, something that makes me happy. Isn't anyone's aim in life to be happy?
When I told my colleagues that I am interested in fashion journalism, I was given The Look- that look of WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AT A SUNDAY NEWSPAPER THEN?- Well to go somewhere, you gotta go via somewhere else. And right now, the newspaper I'm working for is just that, a stepping stone where I can build myself, so people know that I can write. How many times has one heard that fashion journalists are weak, fake journalists? I say those journalists who fit that profile are those that make up stories and end up getting awards for them. Now that is fake.
The reason for this blog entry, you may ask, is that realise early what type of journalist you want to be. Life is too short to go around thinking what the people are going to say just coz you want to work for Sports Illustrated, The Times, Daily Sun or even GQ- That mag is hwre I'm going to be in a few years'time :-)- live your life and be the journalist you want to be. Life really is too short.
Right now I am hating on Thanda Mhlanga, FJP08, who is the resident fashion journalist for the Arise Cape Town Fashion Week for the Cape Argus. But hey, it's her chance to do something she loves, after all good things come to people who wait. Thanda knew what typeof journo she wants to be and it took me three years to decide that I want to be a fashion journalist. It may be 'soft', but hey if Anna Wintour is the toughest editor in the world, what's stopping me from making fashion journalism my dream. After all Anna didn't study journalism. She dropped out of school at 16. She famously said; "You either know fashion or you don't" to her father, renowned editor; Charles Wintour, former editor of the Evening Standard.
Oh and for those of you who don't know, Anna is the editor-in-chief of US VOGUE and is the single most powerful person fashion. Watched The Devil Wears Prada? She is the editor being potrayed by Meryl Streep. She is a legend.
I did know what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a REAL journo- hard news; no fear no favour type journalism; wont leave a stone unturned type journalism. I wanted to make sure that no one ever goes unaccountable to the law and must suffer all their misdeads. I guess that was what I thought journalism was. But I have since changed my mind.
I hate that type of journalism. I really do. It's miserable, lonley and too damn complicated and difficult to enjoy. There's hardly any sleep, hardly time for family and you are always on the witch hunt. That is not life. Then I decided to do something that I do like... Fashion.
I love fashion. I eat, breathe, sleep fashion. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I make sure that when it comes to fashion, I know what I'm talking about. It's something that I love, something that makes me happy. Isn't anyone's aim in life to be happy?
When I told my colleagues that I am interested in fashion journalism, I was given The Look- that look of WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AT A SUNDAY NEWSPAPER THEN?- Well to go somewhere, you gotta go via somewhere else. And right now, the newspaper I'm working for is just that, a stepping stone where I can build myself, so people know that I can write. How many times has one heard that fashion journalists are weak, fake journalists? I say those journalists who fit that profile are those that make up stories and end up getting awards for them. Now that is fake.
The reason for this blog entry, you may ask, is that realise early what type of journalist you want to be. Life is too short to go around thinking what the people are going to say just coz you want to work for Sports Illustrated, The Times, Daily Sun or even GQ- That mag is hwre I'm going to be in a few years'time :-)- live your life and be the journalist you want to be. Life really is too short.
Right now I am hating on Thanda Mhlanga, FJP08, who is the resident fashion journalist for the Arise Cape Town Fashion Week for the Cape Argus. But hey, it's her chance to do something she loves, after all good things come to people who wait. Thanda knew what typeof journo she wants to be and it took me three years to decide that I want to be a fashion journalist. It may be 'soft', but hey if Anna Wintour is the toughest editor in the world, what's stopping me from making fashion journalism my dream. After all Anna didn't study journalism. She dropped out of school at 16. She famously said; "You either know fashion or you don't" to her father, renowned editor; Charles Wintour, former editor of the Evening Standard.
Oh and for those of you who don't know, Anna is the editor-in-chief of US VOGUE and is the single most powerful person fashion. Watched The Devil Wears Prada? She is the editor being potrayed by Meryl Streep. She is a legend.
19 August, 2009
We may all be writers, but I am the Journalist
Today every Tom, Dick and Harry claims to be a Journalist as we are all writers and publishers of all the information we come across in our everyday living. Those whom had always had the passion to study Journalism may be discouraged because they may believe that they do not need to study Journalism to be a journalist but truth be told it isn’t that simple.
In order to be a good, recommended and recognised Journalist it takes more then just a click of the mouse and you are the best in town. Being a journalist that knows their work takes passion for what you do, training on proper writing, workshops one after the other and a lot of practice.
Don’t be fooled. Having your own blogs, cites and web pages does not guarantee you a position in the books that describe a journalist. Tweet as such, post photos on flicker, write blogs and facebook as much as you want, but the question still stands, do you have what it takes to be given the title of a real Journo?
Those that sit in the Journalism/ Media Studies class and listen to those long lectures, do not quit because the end result is worth it. Survive the messes and mistakes you make in the studio, endure the long and hard search for the accurate, subjective information you have to have for your reports. Nobody said it would be easy but that day will come when you walk up that stage and receive the “cap of knowledge”, enter the interview room and tell them the four Ws and H, and recite the new values, and then wait for the day you get into that news room with pride because you know your business.
The day will come when I will stand-up and say, we may all be writers and publishers but I am a Journalist.
It can be you that changes Zimbabwe, that stands up to the President and the one who makes the world a better place because you’ve got what it takes to be a real Journalist.
When times come when you feel like quitting remember that the title is about to be yours you are earning it or it is yours because you have earned it.
In order to be a good, recommended and recognised Journalist it takes more then just a click of the mouse and you are the best in town. Being a journalist that knows their work takes passion for what you do, training on proper writing, workshops one after the other and a lot of practice.
Don’t be fooled. Having your own blogs, cites and web pages does not guarantee you a position in the books that describe a journalist. Tweet as such, post photos on flicker, write blogs and facebook as much as you want, but the question still stands, do you have what it takes to be given the title of a real Journo?
Those that sit in the Journalism/ Media Studies class and listen to those long lectures, do not quit because the end result is worth it. Survive the messes and mistakes you make in the studio, endure the long and hard search for the accurate, subjective information you have to have for your reports. Nobody said it would be easy but that day will come when you walk up that stage and receive the “cap of knowledge”, enter the interview room and tell them the four Ws and H, and recite the new values, and then wait for the day you get into that news room with pride because you know your business.
The day will come when I will stand-up and say, we may all be writers and publishers but I am a Journalist.
It can be you that changes Zimbabwe, that stands up to the President and the one who makes the world a better place because you’ve got what it takes to be a real Journalist.
When times come when you feel like quitting remember that the title is about to be yours you are earning it or it is yours because you have earned it.
FJP Participant on TV!
Hi Guys!Guess who was on TV last night? The one and only FJP 2009 participant, Colin Wardle. He appeared on SABC 1's weekly drama that shows on Tuesdays at 20:30, Montana. It's just unfortunate you were not allowed to do your job there Colin ha ha ha... . Big up to you broer nonetheless.
From left to right on the pic: Anele Ngwenya, Masebe Qina, Colin
Wardle and Lucky Mdletshe.
From left to right on the pic: Anele Ngwenya, Masebe Qina, Colin
Wardle and Lucky Mdletshe.
11 August, 2009
07 August, 2009
Workers strike back!
Yesterday morning I bumped into an old friend who looked particularly pleased with his day. He told me that workers who had been on strike on the Rhodes university campus had just broke into his management lecture and it had to be cut short. It has been five days since the beginning of the Rhodes university workers strike. The workers have been striking because the university has supposedly refused to hand over money which had been put aside for their salaries.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) had given notice that it would embark on protected Industrial Action (a strike) from Monday, the 3rd of August, and it could/would last a few days.
The demonstration which is held by cleaning and catering staff members has left students to fend for themselves for the duration of the strike. Many residences have left ‘bathroom duties’ and ‘kitchen duties’ to the students and recently, the university has offered to pay the students for all their work.
The strike was supposed to end yesterday but negotiations did not go as planned by the university. Nosizwe Maduna, a catering staff member said that they had anticipated the strike’s end on Thursday but are now willing to strike until Monday. “Why should the students be cleaning? The university must get our message”, said Maduna.
As part of their demonstration, they broke into the General lecture hall on Thursday morning trying to stop the classes so that the university could understand. Nobody can really say who the ‘bad apples’ are but the strike should end soon.
Today, the East London police department made their way to the campus to try and move the demonstrators but they later argued that it was impossible to do that as this is not directed at the town’s municipality but, the university.
The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) had given notice that it would embark on protected Industrial Action (a strike) from Monday, the 3rd of August, and it could/would last a few days.
The demonstration which is held by cleaning and catering staff members has left students to fend for themselves for the duration of the strike. Many residences have left ‘bathroom duties’ and ‘kitchen duties’ to the students and recently, the university has offered to pay the students for all their work.
The strike was supposed to end yesterday but negotiations did not go as planned by the university. Nosizwe Maduna, a catering staff member said that they had anticipated the strike’s end on Thursday but are now willing to strike until Monday. “Why should the students be cleaning? The university must get our message”, said Maduna.
As part of their demonstration, they broke into the General lecture hall on Thursday morning trying to stop the classes so that the university could understand. Nobody can really say who the ‘bad apples’ are but the strike should end soon.
Today, the East London police department made their way to the campus to try and move the demonstrators but they later argued that it was impossible to do that as this is not directed at the town’s municipality but, the university.
30 July, 2009
How To Keep Employees Motivated During a Recession?
In the video Sumi Des interview Caty Everett, Vice President of Alliance Coaching, on how to get more from dissengaged workers. She’s right – two thirds of workers are dissengaged, it’s a huge problem costing the USA about $350 billion and the UK £30 billion per year in lost productivity.
Now Caty puts forward that improving engagement is as “basic as having one-on-ones…asking people what motivates them and what they enjoy about their job” so good so far but as Sumi puts it what if “your hands are tied and you can’t give them what they are looking for?”
Caty responds by saying she believes that it’s enough to have “Started a dialogue” and that you need to manage expectations…say things like “I hear you, but not sure we can focus on that now… got my feelers out for you… you don’t have to give them an immediate solution”
for the rest of the information , please visit.http://shisinga.blogspot.com/
Now Caty puts forward that improving engagement is as “basic as having one-on-ones…asking people what motivates them and what they enjoy about their job” so good so far but as Sumi puts it what if “your hands are tied and you can’t give them what they are looking for?”
Caty responds by saying she believes that it’s enough to have “Started a dialogue” and that you need to manage expectations…say things like “I hear you, but not sure we can focus on that now… got my feelers out for you… you don’t have to give them an immediate solution”
for the rest of the information , please visit.http://shisinga.blogspot.com/
29 July, 2009
Round Number Two!
Any soccer lovers out there? Nandisa I know you are reading this my fellow buccaneer. A lot of people argued with me when I told them that Kaizer Chiefs F.C were lucky to have emerged as victors after Thursday's Vodacom league game against Pirates. I am happy that the two Soweto giants have been drawn to play against each other on Saturday in the Telkom Charity Cup. Maybe I was just being obsessed.
One important thing about the upcoming clash is that, it is not only about the football that is going to be played but the needy, people who can't help themselves. From the money made out of the voting system used to determine the participants in the tournament to the gate takings at the stadium, that will all be shared among derseving different charitity organisations around the country. I am happy to have made my little contribution by making sure that I voted for my beloved team to be part of the equation. D-Bongs I know you are also reading this remember we have a score to settle.
Let us all let football be the winner in the end for the benefit of charity.
By: Masebe Qina
26 July, 2009
In the Newsroom
I remember the time we had Karen Williams at the FJP 08 Winter School and I was kinder irritated with the fact that we were concentrating a whole lot more on print and not on broadcast. After the sessions I'll be like " Yoh I got so much print at DUT, now it's the same thing at Rhodes, ay no man..." Well not only has Karen's sessions shaped the way I write and look for story angles, but it has given me the confidence to be able to ask anyone, whether it's a person on the street, to someone in government anything without feeling intimidated.
The newsroom is a nightmare. For me especially because I was put in the deep end and expected to swim with the sharks, even though I kept saying " Yal I'm fragile, I'm an intern", but the news editor was like there is no such thing! To be a proper journo, you must be able to swim with the big one's earlier on in your career and that will make your job so much easier.
Mo my friend, you are doing a good job. They are very lucky to have you to shape their journalistic abilities for them. You did the same to me and a front page in my 1st week later, I can cope well in the newsroom.
You guys must take all the lesson's you've learnt at FJP this year and use them to your advantage. I always tell Bongs and Amanda that this your chance to make a mark in journalism, no matter how small and I hope they listened to me.
The newsroom is a nightmare. For me especially because I was put in the deep end and expected to swim with the sharks, even though I kept saying " Yal I'm fragile, I'm an intern", but the news editor was like there is no such thing! To be a proper journo, you must be able to swim with the big one's earlier on in your career and that will make your job so much easier.
Mo my friend, you are doing a good job. They are very lucky to have you to shape their journalistic abilities for them. You did the same to me and a front page in my 1st week later, I can cope well in the newsroom.
You guys must take all the lesson's you've learnt at FJP this year and use them to your advantage. I always tell Bongs and Amanda that this your chance to make a mark in journalism, no matter how small and I hope they listened to me.
24 July, 2009
One distinction
People get excite when they look at their report cards and see a couple of distinctions while others are sad when they see only one distinction on their report cards, but for me it was different.
After the worst Sunday one can ever come from, the Tuesday was awesome and that made me believe the saying that says after every storm comes sunshine. I got my report card and to my surprise I had a distinction in Media Studies. I know you’re probably saying “wow lets all jump for joy Nadi” but it is the first distinction I ever got. It has always been I almost, I was nearly there, just two more marks and I would have and my sister would laugh and say, should have, could have, would have and today I’m going home to burst her should have, could have, would have bubble because now I made it.
I always knew I was capable and I have just proved it to myself.
I’d like to thank everyone who said I would never get it because they are the ones that gave me the I will get it spirit. You guys are my inspiration.
If I can do it, you who have not got a distinction yet, don’t worry your time will come.
Just keep on keeping on.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
After the worst Sunday one can ever come from, the Tuesday was awesome and that made me believe the saying that says after every storm comes sunshine. I got my report card and to my surprise I had a distinction in Media Studies. I know you’re probably saying “wow lets all jump for joy Nadi” but it is the first distinction I ever got. It has always been I almost, I was nearly there, just two more marks and I would have and my sister would laugh and say, should have, could have, would have and today I’m going home to burst her should have, could have, would have bubble because now I made it.
I always knew I was capable and I have just proved it to myself.
I’d like to thank everyone who said I would never get it because they are the ones that gave me the I will get it spirit. You guys are my inspiration.
If I can do it, you who have not got a distinction yet, don’t worry your time will come.
Just keep on keeping on.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
A bad Sunday
I thought Sunday was supposed to be the best day of the week. We go to church on that day so I concluded that God is supposed to be with us and some how make it the best day. Not this past Sunday.
I wake up late and my mother is on my case, shouting who is going to cook if you are still sleeping? How you will never get married because oa tswafa (your lazy).
I thought it was the end of the bad day only to find out it was the beginning. I get into a fight with my twelve year old brother Junior and he pushes me into a bath tub full of water. Nice swim, I know.
When I get to church the Pastor asks me to read the bible and I make a mess out of it, I just can’t see the words written in the holy book. Talk about an embarrassment in front of the congregation.
To make matters worse I decide to take my dad’s car and go to my friend’s house(Tendani) to fetch my keys as I was suppose to return to school, the car dies on me and I got a good hiding which I deserved anyway.
T hen my dad decides to take me to Tendon’s house. When I get there her dog that doesn’t bite decided to make me its first victim. Shame I know the worst is still to come, when my mom takes me to Campus daddy dearest does not give me pocket money. That was a long night. I listened to my stomach talk back at me and all I could do was listen.
All I could say was thank God Sunday is over because it had been a Badday for me.
Monday was not good just not as bad as Badday.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
I wake up late and my mother is on my case, shouting who is going to cook if you are still sleeping? How you will never get married because oa tswafa (your lazy).
I thought it was the end of the bad day only to find out it was the beginning. I get into a fight with my twelve year old brother Junior and he pushes me into a bath tub full of water. Nice swim, I know.
When I get to church the Pastor asks me to read the bible and I make a mess out of it, I just can’t see the words written in the holy book. Talk about an embarrassment in front of the congregation.
To make matters worse I decide to take my dad’s car and go to my friend’s house(Tendani) to fetch my keys as I was suppose to return to school, the car dies on me and I got a good hiding which I deserved anyway.
T hen my dad decides to take me to Tendon’s house. When I get there her dog that doesn’t bite decided to make me its first victim. Shame I know the worst is still to come, when my mom takes me to Campus daddy dearest does not give me pocket money. That was a long night. I listened to my stomach talk back at me and all I could do was listen.
All I could say was thank God Sunday is over because it had been a Badday for me.
Monday was not good just not as bad as Badday.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
Why do i miss you so much?
I try so hard not to admit that I really do miss you guys. It has been only twelve days since we parted and yet I still wish I was in Grahamstown with the best people on planet Earth, the Future Journos.
No day goes by without me saying something about the awesome NAFest and how we used to hang around together. My friends say “there we go again” every time I mention FJP. Well, Jeff is the only one who understands why I talk about you often.
Every night I sit bored in my room and wish we’d be in the common room drinking FREE coffee and talk about whatever came to of our minds, waiting for the sub warden to come and tell us to shush every now and then.
I so I cant wait for September; there is just this feeling in me that says it will be fantasties.
What have you guys done to me? If it’s a spell you cast on me please stop. I don’t want to miss you this much. It is not good for my health.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
No day goes by without me saying something about the awesome NAFest and how we used to hang around together. My friends say “there we go again” every time I mention FJP. Well, Jeff is the only one who understands why I talk about you often.
Every night I sit bored in my room and wish we’d be in the common room drinking FREE coffee and talk about whatever came to of our minds, waiting for the sub warden to come and tell us to shush every now and then.
I so I cant wait for September; there is just this feeling in me that says it will be fantasties.
What have you guys done to me? If it’s a spell you cast on me please stop. I don’t want to miss you this much. It is not good for my health.
By Hunadi Ralebipi
22 July, 2009
My talent(s)
Guys have you ever sat down and wonder as to what can really bring you money or income? If you did not, I did let me share it with you. Your talent. It is true only your talent can generate income for you.
Let me give you one example, the likes of Michael Jackson the guy did not care about the PhD in English. He recognized his talent and nurtured it. Just recognize your talent and follow it.
A talent is your gift, something you do best or what makes you motivated all the time, something that you do all the time and you don’t get tired of doing it. That is the secret to life and that will draw people to you.
Fellow Brothers and Sisters if you haven’t given it a though yet , please consider doing it, and you will be amazed on how exciting it is to do something that you love, not because you have to but because it is your passion.
For more inspiring messages please do visit http://shisinga.blogspot.com/
With lots of love
Jeffrey Shisinga
Let me give you one example, the likes of Michael Jackson the guy did not care about the PhD in English. He recognized his talent and nurtured it. Just recognize your talent and follow it.
A talent is your gift, something you do best or what makes you motivated all the time, something that you do all the time and you don’t get tired of doing it. That is the secret to life and that will draw people to you.
Fellow Brothers and Sisters if you haven’t given it a though yet , please consider doing it, and you will be amazed on how exciting it is to do something that you love, not because you have to but because it is your passion.
For more inspiring messages please do visit http://shisinga.blogspot.com/
With lots of love
Jeffrey Shisinga
“We need a big ambassador”
By: FJP reporter – Amanda Onamandla Mathe
Terri Myburgh of the Orphan Bracelet Campaign said, “We need a big ambassador.”An ambassador that could stimulate the purchase of bracelets made by women infected with HIV/AIDS, during the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
At their stand it contained bracelets made from recycled goods such rubber, brass and aluminium to create bracelets of absolute beauty. They currently have programmes running in Port Alfred and in Grahamstown. They are hoping to launch one in the Transkei region.
Myburgh stated, “All we need is exposure of the campaign that way we can fund our feeding schemes for the children of these women making the bracelets.” The feeding scheme feeds the children twice a day for five days a week, which is all self-funded and supported by the sales abroad.
The campaign currently thrives from international sales in the United States of America where the jewellery is being sold at R150, with a following from famous actresses such as Megan Good, Shaun Robinson and Romi Dames. Actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph best known for her comedy television programmes is also building awareness about the plight of women in South Africa.
In South Africa, SAMA award wining jazz artist Simphiwe Dana spear heads the promotion of the Orphan Bracelet Campaign. Myburgh stated, “We want to grow support for the campaign especially since we are at the Festival, to be able to expand through out South Africa.” One of Myburgh’s concerns was the slow roll out of Anti-Retrial virals to the people who need them the most, which are out of the city centres and living in the farms where there isn’t enough job stimulation.
Nobenzimi Malusi mother of two and from the Transkei recently joined the campaign and will soon learn the craft of making jewellery. She believes that Government is doing something, but that it is not enough and not everyone benefits. Malusi is also leather crafter and has worked closely with Myburgh for the past ten years.
Myburgh feels that government and people need to break the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and needs to encourage employment, she stated, “We need the spirit of Ubuntu just as our campaign is about Ubuntu.”
Terri Myburgh of the Orphan Bracelet Campaign said, “We need a big ambassador.”An ambassador that could stimulate the purchase of bracelets made by women infected with HIV/AIDS, during the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
At their stand it contained bracelets made from recycled goods such rubber, brass and aluminium to create bracelets of absolute beauty. They currently have programmes running in Port Alfred and in Grahamstown. They are hoping to launch one in the Transkei region.
Myburgh stated, “All we need is exposure of the campaign that way we can fund our feeding schemes for the children of these women making the bracelets.” The feeding scheme feeds the children twice a day for five days a week, which is all self-funded and supported by the sales abroad.
The campaign currently thrives from international sales in the United States of America where the jewellery is being sold at R150, with a following from famous actresses such as Megan Good, Shaun Robinson and Romi Dames. Actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph best known for her comedy television programmes is also building awareness about the plight of women in South Africa.
In South Africa, SAMA award wining jazz artist Simphiwe Dana spear heads the promotion of the Orphan Bracelet Campaign. Myburgh stated, “We want to grow support for the campaign especially since we are at the Festival, to be able to expand through out South Africa.” One of Myburgh’s concerns was the slow roll out of Anti-Retrial virals to the people who need them the most, which are out of the city centres and living in the farms where there isn’t enough job stimulation.
Nobenzimi Malusi mother of two and from the Transkei recently joined the campaign and will soon learn the craft of making jewellery. She believes that Government is doing something, but that it is not enough and not everyone benefits. Malusi is also leather crafter and has worked closely with Myburgh for the past ten years.
Myburgh feels that government and people need to break the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and needs to encourage employment, she stated, “We need the spirit of Ubuntu just as our campaign is about Ubuntu.”
19 July, 2009
wonderful!
It was a big time off for the future journos after the future Journalist Programme(FJP) had ended.It was time to put on our dancing shoes and be merry.
I thank God for the success of Programme.
10 July, 2009
It's hard to say goodbye
How time flies, it was like yesterday when we started the Future Journalist Programme (FJP), meeting new and wonderful friends from different parts of Africa, one from Ghana, another from Senegal, and most from South Africa.I will surely miss everyone in this programme, my south African friends are so friendly and happy people, I will surely miss the way they sing every morning before the start of work, they were so accommodating even though our English ascent are different, we relate to one another as if we’ve known each other since birth; guys I will miss you all. Sharp! Sharp!!
And to my Senegal and Ghanian sisters, am beginning to see you as my sisters, they way we wait for each other for breakfast an all that…I’ll surely miss u.
Most of all to Sim and Moagisi, am really short of words; you guys are the best, always ready to give us something fresh.The twitter,the blog and to reporting are unforgetable. Sometimes I wonder how you rest…thank you for your care…
But now is the time when we must say goodbye and when am back to Nigeria, I will always remember South Africa.
See my Blog
Peter Okosun
Pix:Peter Okosun
A million thank you’s
The National Arts Festival is ending and that means the FJP Winter School is ending too. It is hard to believe that we are leaving after having fun for two weeks with wonderful people, but I guess the excitement faded as we got more serious with our work.
Working together has been great. I would like to thank Sim for giving us much work and for supporting us throughout the way. Sometimes we couldn’t take the load but he would always push us until we finished the work. Twitter, Zoopy and blogging were our breakfast for every morning.
To Moagisi who made it all possible for us to meet here again, I would like to thank you. Your name says it all in Sepedi you “help in building” people. You have helped us in becoming good future journalists.
To everybody, thank you for being with me and supporting me all the way. I will miss you dearly. Till we meet again!
Lwando Helesi FJP
Off to the ground!
It is hard to believe that today the 10th of July 2009 we are in the end of what we have been involved in for the past two weeks or so, the winter school. It has been great really.
I would like to urge you all my fellow future journos to keep on working hard on your studies. Enjoy the rest of your holidays and spend any of the spare time you get wisely.
From Masebe Qina and Andre Arendse emabaleni
The journey, which one will always miss
As the lights fade, the curtain comes down and the noise drifts away with the wind. It is the end of another fabulous show. Rehearsal began in April with showings in July and the Final performance will be in September.
Excitement began this journey travelled so far and I’m Amanda (Onamandla) not talking about the 12 hour bus drive I’m talking about the first time we took to the streets of Grahamstown to find a story, to speak to people, to take pictures and capture the best of the Grahamstown Arts Festival. For some of us it has been an endless spiral of highs and for others it has been 10 days of sleep deprivation and 10 days of amazing.
Experience is the key to get any foot in the door, but when there is a programme like Future journalist programme, supported by Highway Africa it makes ones opportunity greater. One has been given a opportunity that most dream of. Personally I have once again come full circle. It’s always been my dream to be part of the Grahamstown festival and it was even better when it came in the form of being a journalist. Let us not forget those that makes such opportunities available for us to indulge in, people like Sim Kyazze, whom I must say is an absolute inspiration of intelligence and power of knowledge. Then Moagisi Letlhaku, an outstanding woman who stands proudly in her league, not justifying, not explaining, but showing her power by her words and actions.
Then to the team that I work with, you are all superb. Each one of you presents something new to table. Some of us are experiencing things for the first time others are just getting used to the usually, but the fact remains we have all learned, educated, experienced and endeavoured into something we didn’t know much about. Thank you for that chance.
I believe that the God I serve watches us and has placed us strategically, so that we can learn together, build each other and embody the brotherly love that this nation needs. Thank you, may the good Lord bless you and keep, till we meet again. Hambani Kahle
Amanda Onamandla Mathe - FJP
Excitement began this journey travelled so far and I’m Amanda (Onamandla) not talking about the 12 hour bus drive I’m talking about the first time we took to the streets of Grahamstown to find a story, to speak to people, to take pictures and capture the best of the Grahamstown Arts Festival. For some of us it has been an endless spiral of highs and for others it has been 10 days of sleep deprivation and 10 days of amazing.
Experience is the key to get any foot in the door, but when there is a programme like Future journalist programme, supported by Highway Africa it makes ones opportunity greater. One has been given a opportunity that most dream of. Personally I have once again come full circle. It’s always been my dream to be part of the Grahamstown festival and it was even better when it came in the form of being a journalist. Let us not forget those that makes such opportunities available for us to indulge in, people like Sim Kyazze, whom I must say is an absolute inspiration of intelligence and power of knowledge. Then Moagisi Letlhaku, an outstanding woman who stands proudly in her league, not justifying, not explaining, but showing her power by her words and actions.
Then to the team that I work with, you are all superb. Each one of you presents something new to table. Some of us are experiencing things for the first time others are just getting used to the usually, but the fact remains we have all learned, educated, experienced and endeavoured into something we didn’t know much about. Thank you for that chance.
I believe that the God I serve watches us and has placed us strategically, so that we can learn together, build each other and embody the brotherly love that this nation needs. Thank you, may the good Lord bless you and keep, till we meet again. Hambani Kahle
Amanda Onamandla Mathe - FJP
What a journey!
It’s been ten days since the Future Journo’s landed in Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival. We were all excited about seeing each other and being in the festival as for some it was their first time.
The excitement of seeing each other quickly went away as the FJPs saw that there was no time for games. But we did have fun, lots of it. Each and everyday we learnt something new. As we come from different institutions this was a blessing because our institutions don’t cover the same work. Now those who came here not knowing certain things can go back with more knowledge and will hopefully pass it on to others.
Looking for stories together, individually, doing vox pops, reviewing shows, blogging and socialising are just some of the things we were exposed to. I think it is only right for me to say this would not have been possible without the Future Journalist Programme. Most importantly, thank you Moagisi Lethlaku (Programme Coordinator) and Sim (Course facilitator). You have given us a once in a lifetime opportunity and without you we would not be where we are.
Ongezwa Ndlakuse- FJP
The excitement of seeing each other quickly went away as the FJPs saw that there was no time for games. But we did have fun, lots of it. Each and everyday we learnt something new. As we come from different institutions this was a blessing because our institutions don’t cover the same work. Now those who came here not knowing certain things can go back with more knowledge and will hopefully pass it on to others.
Looking for stories together, individually, doing vox pops, reviewing shows, blogging and socialising are just some of the things we were exposed to. I think it is only right for me to say this would not have been possible without the Future Journalist Programme. Most importantly, thank you Moagisi Lethlaku (Programme Coordinator) and Sim (Course facilitator). You have given us a once in a lifetime opportunity and without you we would not be where we are.
Ongezwa Ndlakuse- FJP
My Grahamstown
My Grahamstown
Jeffrey Shisinga
Wow! This is one of those memories of my life that will never fade away. Let’s see where should I start? First on my arrival day to Grahamstown, it was 07:55 Tuesday 30 June 2009, after a long travel by Greyhound bus. We were warmly welcomed by our co-ordinator Moagisi Lethlaku, who took us to Wimpy, where we had our breakfast. After that, we were shown our rooms at Chris Hani residence hall, and I must say the room service there was great.
By Wednesday all Fjp’s arrived. We went to Afri Media Matrix where we met our favourite trainer Sim Kyazze. I remember that day I and Lwando were standing outside AMM when Sim arrived with His green BMW. I could tell by His smile that he missed us. That very same day we were taken to the monument where we had an interview with the CEO of National Arts Festival Tony Lankester. I must say he is down to earth gentleman; he was talking to us like we are some professionals with journalism licences.
After an interview with Tony, we went back to AMM to meet Guy Burger who officially welcomed us. Grahamstown is surrounded by great people, just like Tony, Guy Burger talked to us about twitter and how to write a good review. He showed us some twitter messages, where he said some of them were not well written.
Starting from Thursday onward, it was tough, but exciting where we started to attend the festival shows, and write some reviews. Sorry I think I missed something before we attended the shows; we had a work shop where Adrienne Sichel briefed us on how a good review should be.
When I discovered my shock a bout Grahamstown was Wednesday the 8. Myself, Masebe, Lucky, and Bongani, went out looking for *Chisanyama* because we had enough of Steers and KFC so we wanted something else. Haaa! I could not believe it; we walked the whole of Grahamstown mainly the town at Rhodes, and there is no place where they are selling Chisanyama. We even went to the Taxi ranks. Normally those are the guys who eat Chisanyama.
*Braai meat.
Jeffrey Shisinga
Jeffrey Shisinga
Wow! This is one of those memories of my life that will never fade away. Let’s see where should I start? First on my arrival day to Grahamstown, it was 07:55 Tuesday 30 June 2009, after a long travel by Greyhound bus. We were warmly welcomed by our co-ordinator Moagisi Lethlaku, who took us to Wimpy, where we had our breakfast. After that, we were shown our rooms at Chris Hani residence hall, and I must say the room service there was great.
By Wednesday all Fjp’s arrived. We went to Afri Media Matrix where we met our favourite trainer Sim Kyazze. I remember that day I and Lwando were standing outside AMM when Sim arrived with His green BMW. I could tell by His smile that he missed us. That very same day we were taken to the monument where we had an interview with the CEO of National Arts Festival Tony Lankester. I must say he is down to earth gentleman; he was talking to us like we are some professionals with journalism licences.
After an interview with Tony, we went back to AMM to meet Guy Burger who officially welcomed us. Grahamstown is surrounded by great people, just like Tony, Guy Burger talked to us about twitter and how to write a good review. He showed us some twitter messages, where he said some of them were not well written.
Starting from Thursday onward, it was tough, but exciting where we started to attend the festival shows, and write some reviews. Sorry I think I missed something before we attended the shows; we had a work shop where Adrienne Sichel briefed us on how a good review should be.
When I discovered my shock a bout Grahamstown was Wednesday the 8. Myself, Masebe, Lucky, and Bongani, went out looking for *Chisanyama* because we had enough of Steers and KFC so we wanted something else. Haaa! I could not believe it; we walked the whole of Grahamstown mainly the town at Rhodes, and there is no place where they are selling Chisanyama. We even went to the Taxi ranks. Normally those are the guys who eat Chisanyama.
*Braai meat.
Jeffrey Shisinga
I'm Rubber You're Glue...
Michael Jackson’s death sparked a rather heated debated in our writing pool this morning. For close to two hours we argued what rights the dead had, and whether they had any rights at all for that matter. The discussion eventually came to end with no set conclusion. After all in a country like South Africa with 11 official languages, numerous cultures and sub-cultures under those, we did not think we would.
During this debate I made various comments about death (Michael Jackson’s in particular) I would have never said under normal circumstances, probably would’ve recommended firing his coffin into the sun had I thought of it at the time. Granted I’ve always enjoyed playing devil’s advocate but during that debate I felt far more like Richard Dawkins than Keano Reeves and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why. That is till now. A study recently published in the journal Psychological Science says trying to get people to think more positively about something can actually have the opposite effect (which explains a lot).
The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin with a common-sense proposition: when people hear something they don't believe, they are not only often sceptical but adhere even more strongly to their original position.
A great deal of psychological research has shown this, but really you need look no further than any late-night bar debate you've had with friends: when someone claims that Jacob Zuma’s is the best thing for South Africa, or that the Bafan Bafana’s going to win 2010, or in our case that Michael Jackson was not a freak. Others not only argue the opposing position, but do so with more conviction than they actually hold. We are an argumentative species.
By Colin Wardle
During this debate I made various comments about death (Michael Jackson’s in particular) I would have never said under normal circumstances, probably would’ve recommended firing his coffin into the sun had I thought of it at the time. Granted I’ve always enjoyed playing devil’s advocate but during that debate I felt far more like Richard Dawkins than Keano Reeves and for the life of me couldn’t figure out why. That is till now. A study recently published in the journal Psychological Science says trying to get people to think more positively about something can actually have the opposite effect (which explains a lot).
The study's authors, Joanne Wood and John Lee of the University of Waterloo and Elaine Perunovic of the University of New Brunswick, begin with a common-sense proposition: when people hear something they don't believe, they are not only often sceptical but adhere even more strongly to their original position.
A great deal of psychological research has shown this, but really you need look no further than any late-night bar debate you've had with friends: when someone claims that Jacob Zuma’s is the best thing for South Africa, or that the Bafan Bafana’s going to win 2010, or in our case that Michael Jackson was not a freak. Others not only argue the opposing position, but do so with more conviction than they actually hold. We are an argumentative species.
By Colin Wardle
Never forget!!!
What a wonderful time I had in Grahamstown! It was my first time to attend the National Arts Festival and most probably not the last. The Future Journalist Programme has increased my knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages, ethics and the protocols of media.
The fact that you bump to celebrities daily, have breakfast and see them in action “live” was amazing. The Fest has just gave me another idea of how to use my gifts or talent, there are so many ways I can put my personality into context and fulfil my otherwise mission.
Meeting new friends from diverse societies was not an issue at first but with working together, sharing different views and opinions, it just gives you a picture of how the work industry might turn out to be.Al l in all the two weeks I spend in Grahamstown was extremely fabulous. Thanks to our coordinator Moagisi, Sim and Rhodes University and many more who also take part in making the FJP successful.
The fact that you bump to celebrities daily, have breakfast and see them in action “live” was amazing. The Fest has just gave me another idea of how to use my gifts or talent, there are so many ways I can put my personality into context and fulfil my otherwise mission.
Meeting new friends from diverse societies was not an issue at first but with working together, sharing different views and opinions, it just gives you a picture of how the work industry might turn out to be.Al l in all the two weeks I spend in Grahamstown was extremely fabulous. Thanks to our coordinator Moagisi, Sim and Rhodes University and many more who also take part in making the FJP successful.
Pic: Zukiswa Sidzumo
Memorable moments in Grahamstown
It is hard to believe, but yes after a wonderful moment once again in Grahamstown we have to bid farewell to our respective universities. However, I must say that the winter school at Rhodes has been a prosperous gathering that has captured many memorable moments.
For the first time attending a highly recognised festival, I got to be exposed to a number of opportunities which I have longed to experience. In fact, it gave me a sense of what a festival is. The beauty of this festival is the fact that it was not just a matter of having fun, but a building step towards my career and a platform that shapes it.
I am grateful for the knowledge and skills that I have invested during the winter school and hope that I will always be able to apply them within my studies. This winter school has made me realise my strengths and weaknesses which are hard to recognise back at school.
All thanks to Moagisi for bringing such motivated students together, and Sim who outstandingly trained such a group to explore the beauty and challenges of journalism.
Highway Africa Conference has done great job in initiating such an amazing programme.
Jane Mathebula
Thank you
Power to the people: Future Journos looking forward to their empowering programme.
Being part of the Future Journalist Programme (Winter School) helps me to grow as writer; as photographer and as a person. Working with different people who has different ideas from mine was great and I learnt a lot from (Future Journos.)
Meeting people that I never thought I will meet anytime soon like Andre Arendse made me realize how lucky I am to be part of this programme. To the organisers and everyone who made this programme successful, you guys make a difference in our lives and I know for sure that my life will never be the same again.
To all Future Journos it is always sad when we have say goodbyes but we had fun while we were learning. I hope you will take what we learn here and use it to better yourself and people around you. Don’t forget to share the information and experience you gain in programme with those people who are not lucky to be part of us (Future Journos)
I wish all the best of luck in what ever you are planning to do.
by Bongani Mthethwa (FJP)
Privileges of being a journalism student
There has been so much that has happened since the National Arts Festival began in Grahamstown. Being part of the Future Journalism Programme has been a privilege for me, because I got an opportunity to come to Rhodes University, Grahamstown not only to see the festival but also to gain experimental learning.
The reason I feel like this is because, getting to experience the festival has opened my eyes a lot and taught me new things. Being able to go to shows and reviewing them, conducting vox pops, was quite a work load but it has been worth while.
I am looking forward to meeting everyone again in September and learning more new ideas. Not forgetting, however to thank Moagisi and Sim for putting up with us and believing that we are capable of doing the best to our abilities.
I would also like to thank Highway Africa for developing such an innovative and useful programme.
Samukelisiwe Makhubo
Opportunity of a lifetime
Being at the National Arts Festival was an opportunity of a lifetime. Back in high school, only the Arts and Drama students got the opportunity to be part of the festival. Seven years later I get to be part of the festival, not as a Drama student but as a future journalist.
Highway Africa has not only given us the opportunity to become good journalists, but the experience off being part of one off South Africa’s outstanding events.
Thank you very much Highway Africa.
It's so sad to say good bye to...
So the Future Journalist Programme participants have been my family for the past 10 days. All too soon we've come to the end of the programme and I have to say farewell to my new family and my new second home, South Africa. I can't comprehend that I am no longer going to see Nandisa catwalking and saying 1ooo words per second and being fabulous, Sim breathing down my neck and shouting, Moagisi's lovely figure and fierce look, Andile's wonderful smile, Zuki's dancing and shouting, Amanda trying to be a lady, Colin being "Colin", Anelle being happy all the time, Jeff wearing sleevelss shirts in winter, Lucky running out of quota and being logged out, Sophiane buying wings and wondering off without anyone knowing where she is, Samu being her cute self, my naija brother Peter being a sweet gentleman, Ongezwa being quiet and keeping to herself, Jane coming up with her one liners, Nadi being jolly, D-bongz doing his own thing all the time, Masebe's lovely dreads and finally my darling Lwando who's always got all the time and patience in the world for me. I am going to miss everyone immensly.The FJP has been an enlightening, educative, entertaining and a real eye-opener. I will forever be grateful to Highway Africa and FJP for this wonderful experience. I shall cherish the memories forever. By: Selina Bebaako-Mensah Pic: Selina Bebaako-Mensah
Let’s make it count!
At the moment, my FJP friends and I are trying to blog as much as we can so that we can reach a really high number of blog entries for the blog itself.
This whole programme has just started a new culture amongst us. More than ever, we can blog as much as we like. This evolution of the internet seems to have put us on the same level as any other writer and even journalist. We can contribute to global information as much as any other media practitioner.
These messages are the ones which should be known by everyone; that the world of information has actually evolved into this universe of interactivity.
Anele Ngwenya FJP
This whole programme has just started a new culture amongst us. More than ever, we can blog as much as we like. This evolution of the internet seems to have put us on the same level as any other writer and even journalist. We can contribute to global information as much as any other media practitioner.
These messages are the ones which should be known by everyone; that the world of information has actually evolved into this universe of interactivity.
Anele Ngwenya FJP
Goodbye FJP
FJP artsfest coverage is over and done with.Next step is to shop some and then pack, because I’m soooooo going home now.
I’ll miss the group though; I met many nice persons, hope we keep in touch even if we are apart. I’ll miss the nice neighbourhood and clean pavement. I'll miss going to the lab in the morning just to tweet. I’ll miss the venues, where I really felt that South African people love art not just because they want to be seen or to make money out of it. I’ll miss speaking English too...okay, that’s a HUGE lie.
I’ll miss a hell lot of things but I have to let them go and get on with my life because it’s the right thing to do, I guess. You can’t live in a memory of the past, you have to keep going, meet more nice people and see more clean pavement and nice neighbourhoods. You have to start being a journalist for real too, of course.
I guess that’s my final goodbye to FJP. Hope we hear from each other.
By Sophiane Bengeloun
Pic: okosun peter
Au Revoir mes amis...
It is once again that time again when we all have to say goodbye for yet another term. I wish all my fellow FJP colleagues a safe journey home and I certainly cannot wait until we do it all over again.
It has been an amazing two weeks of the Arts Festival in Grahamstown which we have all filled with some incredible memories. We have cemented some beautiful friendships, discussed some poignant issues and as Zuki would say, "undicamisile sana".
A special thank you to Highway Africa for making this program possible, but especially to Sim and Moagisi for giving up their time and putting in so much effort into giving us something to smile about.
Farewell until we meet again in September.
Chwayitisa Nandisa Futshane-FJP 2009
The Future Journos
To all the 2009 participants, you guys have been marvellous. I wish every one of you safe journeys travelling back home. Masebe Qina-FJP.
09 July, 2009
How is the fest?
With only two days left, the National Arts Festival is drawing to an end. A lot has been happening, the relocation of the Village Green, the death of the King of Pop Michael Jackson and the shows people watch. So, FJP journos went around asking the festinos if they are enjoying the festival.
Nadeem Ahmed, a street vendor at the Church Square, said he is enjoying the festival and everything is going well. But he points out this year’s festival is not as good as previous one.
Emily Goryman, Grahamstown: I am enjoying the festival, and I think the festival is awesome! There is a lot of staff to see and buy even though they are expensive.
Lwando Helesi FJP
How is festival
Xoliswo Pellem and Yvonne Kralo : Inice lefestival.
Lazola Kahla : It is my frist time being at the festival and I am enjoying it.
Pix: Lwando Helesi
Andile Dube
How Is Festival
Bea Udeh: This festival is fantastic. I do not regret coming all the way from the UK to report on this awesome event.
I love it here.
Khanya Mtwisha: The festival is kind-of nice.
Vuyisa Mtwisha: This festival is not the same as last years’ fest. This one is quiet.
Pics: Lwando Helesi
How is the festival so far?
Daisy Brown, East London: I love the festival; I wish they can extend days”. I must say Grahamstown is not cold like what people have been telling me, since I arrived here on Monday I haven’t felt the cold. Festival must continue.
Lunga Mangqengwana, Extention 9 Grahamstown:Ewe si ya yi thanda fesival, ne weather is being good compare to last year". People are supporting our shows.
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