Seeking a true inspiration to be a journalist, finally, I was given the opportunity, thanks to Carina van der Walt, Group Editor of the Caxton Joburg South branch. I had five days to take advantage of my week in a newsroom.
I am a journalism student studying at Rhodes University. Part of every journalism course involves working in a newsroom for 40 hours. It is a requirement and crucial to complete by first-year students… or we can forget about being accepted into journalism II.
That is just it! After all the writing, reading and overnight assignments and articles, I became a little uninspired, forgot why I wanted to be a journalist. After a while, working in a newsroom became nothing more than a requirement.
Day one and I am on my way to the Caxton offices in Alberton. Chills down my spine, I kept blaming the weather, although I knew that I was afraid of what I was expecting.
The rumours: all you do is sit there, make coffee and maybe interview one or two people. Little wonder I believed that I would be doing whatever seemed to be the dirty work this week and using my observation skills to gain some experience.
I walked into the office, and for that Monday, I was news flashed. Note to self and readers: do not believe rumours – where are your facts? Not everything you hear is true.
Truth is, I did a whole lot more than make coffee and sit there doing nothing.
I walked into the office, was greeted by Jeanrique Snyman (JR), and one of the first things I heard him say was “Lucky will make you coffee”. The point is to never be discouraged by negative rumours. Find your own facts and take on every task with a positive attitude. Do not have any expectations; be ready to act on the unexpected.
CPR stands for: Can you. Please. Re-inspire me.
My heart nearly came to its final beat when JR handed his camera to me and Suli Hadebe, another journalist, said, “We’ll be there, but it’s up to you to get the story”. My task was to write an article on a CPR course that I would be attending with Suli and Comaro Chronicle news editor Julie Maule.
I was either excited or afraid; it is one thing writing articles for school assignments. This is different. This was real.
I kept thinking “how am I going to type out a perfectly constructed article in just a few hours? Usually a week is hardly enough time”.
These journalists could do it with ease. CPR lessons taught me to push hard and push fast. Push hard by being persistent, strong-willed, even when the odds seem against you. Push fast by working smart and efficiently. Every second counts. Take control and believing in yourself.
Travelling around the South of Johannesburg with Suli and JR reminded me that journalism is not about clinging on to the clicking and clapping of mouse and keyboard, rushing to hand in a story before deadline.
These journalists showed me why they are so passionate about what they do and reminded me of what I used to look forward to: being the voice of the voiceless, the maker and breaker, the good news and the bad news, influencing how people view the world.
Going out to parks to find sunlight reminded me that journalism is not just about politics and crime. Sometimes it is simply bringing sunlight into the lives of our communities.
Interviewing people on the crimes and crime awareness projects that they want to inform the community about, these people were so passionate about being heard and seemed to be glad that someone was willing to listen to them and allow them to be heard.
Thursday’s activities: write; scrunch paper, rewrite, scrunch paper, rewrite, perfect? Hmm… nearly.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed this. Sitting in an office, being surrounded by positive people passionate about the same thing that I am passionate about and willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me was satisfying and encouraging. The only problem was that by now I wanted to stay – it wasn’t just a course requirement any more.
Sitting at my desk, reminiscing on the events of this week and I am enjoying typing this article. This week was especially exciting with the news updates on Nelson Mandela’s critical condition.
I remember the “Oh my gosh, he’s died” moment when Julie was not referring to Madiba, that really shocked the editorial staff. “Put on your ‘I know what’s going on’ face,” said JR, encouraging me not to be afraid.
I hope I am not being too cliché by saying that I am eternally grateful; thanking Carina van der Walt for giving me this opportunity, Suli, Jeanrique (JR) and Malcolm Maifala for allowing me to shadow them this week and teaching me so many things that I would never have known, Lucky Thusi for the coffee and everyone else at Caxton for their warm and friendly welcome.
Just as I was inspired this week, I hope that readers are inspired to be interested in journalism and are also inspired to never give up or be afraid, put on your “I know what I’m doing” face and fulfil your passion.
