#MeetTheTeam – Raeesa Kimmie
I did a profile on the Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo High Court, Judge Fikile Mokgohloa and it was inspiring.
POLOKWANE – Being the second youngest member of the Review team, you’ve most probably seen her blog in the Bonus newspaper now and then and her name often frequents schools news, among other categories.
Meet, Raeesa Kimmie
How long have you been working at the Review?
I have been working at the Review since 3 August 2015. This will be my second year.
What is your role at the Review?
I began my journey with the Review as a junior journalist but this year, I moved to the digital side and I am now an Online Journalist, making sure that the website is just as interesting as the newspaper and that our readers are up-to-date on social media.
Describe a typical day for a Review journalist?
There is no ‘typical’ day at the Review. Each day is different and you never know what to expect in terms of what is going to happen. Right now, my day consists of making sure I get my stories published online, monitoring social media for any happenings in and around Polokwane and Limpopo and writing articles for the website.
How do you deal with pressure?
People deal with pressure in different ways. I for one, breathe. It sounds silly but sometimes you just have to sit and breathe and reassure yourself that you can do it, whatever the task may be. Pressure also motivates me, I believe I work well under pressure and so I use any negatives coming my way and turn them into positives.
What it is like knowing that people read your articles on a weekly basis?
Not only is it a great feeling knowing that people read your articles but it is also motivating when you get a “well done” or “good job”. What’s even better is getting a “thank you”, to know that people appreciate what you have done puts a smile on my face. Sometimes it’s a case of ‘I was simply doing my job’ but then you realise the impact it has had and that’s fulfilling.
Have you kept all your articles?
What was your favourite story that you’ve done?
My favourite stories are mostly profiles because I enjoy writing them. I did a profile on the Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo High Court, Judge Fikile Mokgohloa and it was inspiring. She is such a strong woman and to see how far she had come because of hard work and dedication motivated me to work harder and focus on my career.
What are some of the positive aspects about being a journalist?
You get to meet some of the most amazing people, whether it be adults or children. In the time that I’ve been working at the Review, I’ve done things I never thought I’d do, attended exciting events such as the 5fm Small Town Live Loud festival and DSTv iRock and I’ve learnt more about myself as a person.
What are some of the negative aspects?
Some stories can tug at your heartstrings a bit and even after you’ve written them, they still stick with you. Also, some things might upset you when you see them but you have to be neutral because you cannot let emotions in when you’re writing.
Why did you decide to become a journalist?
I’ve always loved writing and I’m inquisitive by nature. I think those two aspects combined should answer the question?
Last remarks?
