Juggling being a full time Mom and a full time journalist
Review journalist gives her thoughts on being a full time journalist and juggling responsibilities at home
I studied towards a BA in Journalism at the University of Johannesburg with the aim of getting into radio, as growing up I had a deep love and passion for radio presenting and journalism. I used to get in trouble for streaming the radio during school hours when I was still in high school. I remember one time at school my phone was taken by my teacher and I was devastated for the entire day, as during breaks and free periods I was used to secretly listen to the radio.
I am an all-rounder journalist, although back in varsity my lecturer told us that we would have to choose a beat that we would like to work with or cover however when you work for a community publication you need to be able to cover all beats from hard/current news, sports, schools, community profiles, entertainment etc. I am currently writing for the Review, Bonus and Capricorn Voice as well as for review online, and it has been a great learning curve, putting to practice what I learned at UJ. I report for work at 8:00 and knock off at 16:30 and in between those times, I have to source stories (hard and soft news), attend events both schools and community events.
Before all this I am a mother, to a gorgeous five year old, Bontle (Mmabontle in full) and her energy is a job on its own, LOL. I usually wake up at 5:30, I shower then I get her ready for school and wait for her transport to come pick her up, then I go to work. After work I get home, depending on how the day unfolded and if I do not have any events to attend after my day shift, I prepare her dinner, bath her then tuck her in. I then go through my emails and messages on my phone to see what appointments I must attend to the following day.
I have set boundaries and sacrificed a lot on socialising, as my daughter needs my undivided time and attention just as much as my job does. Journalism is not an easy profession to follow, especially for mothers because we work long hours and sometimes all week during the day and night. The trick is to know how to juggle and manage your time so that you can be able to get all that needs to get done, done (from being a mom to a professional journalist). A good to balance the two makes life easier.
Having a good support system around you does make it a little bit easier. I am so lucky to have a daughter that understands that mommy needs to go to work so that we can buy things that we need, she knows when I head out of the house at 7h30 during the week and sometimes on the weekend that mommy is going to work and she will be back soon, while she stays home with her grandmother and her cousins.
I have also been blessed with a knight in ordinary clothing, Mahlatse Kobe (fiance) who is always there for me and my daughter, when I need assistance of any kind.
I would advise anyone, especially women, looking to venture in to the world of journalism to first explore the profession, do the field work enjoy it and then consider having children, of course all this would have to be in their early 20s to 30s. And be prepared to work extraordinary hours!
