Southern COURIER junior journalist Sibonelo Mtshali is jetting off on his new adventure.
Sibonelo, who was born in Dobsonville, joined the COURIER on May 2, 2018, right after school.
During his time with the COURIER, he was guided by two veterans, his news editor Lucky Thusi and editor Carina van der Walt, whom he gives gratitude to.
In a short time in the industry, he won the best digital reporter award at the FCJ Awards on July 20, 2019.
He also won a couple of internal awards as a journalist of the month.
He said: “Awards aside, I thoroughly and most of all enjoyed walking through the southern areas and listening to people’s stories, grievances, and opinions.
“I made a lot of contacts with people from the South. Some even treated me like their ward councilor, an I often received calls from people complaining and begging me to assist them. But I understood because it all came with the job title.”
Why journalism at first?
Sibonelo always desired to become a journalist, receiving inspiration from the township in which he grew up. He said he had always had a hunger to assist deprived people and he is excited because his post enabled him to do so.
“I would like to thank the people of the south for assisting and believing in me during the exciting times and trusting me with their stories.
“But, most importantly, my editor, Carina van der Walt, and my news editor, Lucky Thusi, all gratitude goes to them,” said Mtshali.
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