Oh my, the end is here – in fact it has already come and gone hasn’t it?
This week was the most relaxed week we have ever had in the newsroom. This was the week that we got total control of the newspaper. As such none of the ‘big people’ were allowed to be involved in the production of our last paper for the year.
News conference on Monday set the tone for the rest of the week, we chose what we would be doing and once that was done went off to the Pig, haha, I knew that the week would be filled with nuts because of this.
For once I was relieved to have a thousand ad’s in the paper, it made our jobs a little easier. This last edition was meant to be fun and light, seeing as we had free reign but unfortunately we have become news writing automatons who can’t help but report the news instead of fun frivolities. Either way by 1pm on Thursday we had miraculously put together a paper. A whole newspaper – even though we were a little short staffed this week.
It was a great way to end off what has been an incredible year, personally speaking the best year of my life. This year was my chance to do what I’ve always wanted to do, to become someone with a public voice, an influential voice that is taken seriously. I’ve had the chance to be a part of an amazing team that ruffled feathers by asking the right questions, and digging and digging until they found some shred of evidence to get the stories. We have caused quite a bit of trouble this year and it’s paid off in more ways than one.
It’s been a roller coaster ride of a year, but a more pleasant one like the Golden Loop – which is quick and fast but not enough to make you scream and cry like perhaps the Anaconda (never again). It was an intense year, chock-a-block with work and fun – no one said it would be easy but no one said it would be so much fun as well. I’m leaving with much more than a degree.
It scares me how much talent is about to unleashed into newsrooms next year, teamvuvu gladiators have bright futures ahead of them shem. Again, it has been nothing but an honour to be a part of this year’s team – they will forever hold a special place in my heart as the people helped my dream come true. The people who held my hand this year, who made me coffee, who sang with me, who had drink after drink with me, the people I missed when I was absent, the people who have become my friends, my family.
It’s time for us to go our separate ways, be great and become the people we are meant to be.
Shandukani Mulaudzi is our class rep, our problem child and also my boo thang. Have a read to hear what’s popping with my neighbour.
Me: How would you describe your outfit today?
Shandu: Humpf, it’s bright, casual and comfy?
Me: How would you describe your style in general?
Shandu: People like to say it’s alternative, boho chic or whatever but I don’t like those words. I don’t have a word to describe my style, I just dress for myself and for the mood I’m in. My style icon is Solange Knowles.
Me: Now that we’ve broken the ice, are you sure about this journalism thing?
Shandu: Defo’s. I’ve waited to do journ since I was in grade 10 (2005) but I had to take a bit of a detour for a while. I really can’t see myself anywhere else.
Me: That said, if you weren’t doing what you doing this, what would you be doing?
Shandu: Vokken hell, um singing on a stage or acting. Whatever it would be it would be something creative.
Me: How have you found your honours year?
Shandu: Everything I expected and much more. I’ve learnt a lot, but I didn’t expect to make friends and not just any friends the kind of friends that will be at my wedding one day.
Me: What’s been the most challenging thing and the most rewarding thing for you this year?
Shandu: The most challenging thing has been having to call out my mentors when they were wrong. Cause they are wrong sometimes and in those times you have to stand your ground.
The most rewarding thing has been being able to work alone and in groups without it being forced on us. Through working in groups I have learnt to trust people and to embrace mine and others strengths and weaknesses.
Me: Where will you be next year and what will you be doing?
Me: How would you describe #teamvuvu in three words?
Shandu: *laughs for a while* Ambitious, musical and extroverted.
Me: A word of advice for the incoming team for 2014?
Shandu: Don’t compare yourselves to teamvuvu 2013, you’ll come short. They should just know that what they put into the year is what they will get out. Also they should try to apply themselves in everything that is put before them. And bloody hell go to the Pig. Learn to balance work and play now.
While there was relative calm in the newsroom yesterday , I stole Ray for a few minutes to have a wee chat.
*Disclaimer: “Ray” is not his government name…
Me: How would you describe your outfit/style for the day?
Ray: I usually go for a professional/workplace look but today I had to get dressed really fast, so I have a relaxed and casual look.
Me: How would you describe your style in general?
Ray: I dress in a way that’s adaptable to many social situations, as a rule I always try to go for a professional look.
Me: On to the more serious, are you sure about this journalism thing?
Ray: Yes, I’m in it for the long haul. Journalism teaches you about this country and it’s nuances. I’ll only leave the industry in 20 years or so to settle down.
Me: If you weren’t doing what you doing this, what would you be doing?
Ray: I’d be a certified gold digger *laughs* No, I would be probably be an economist, I really like finance and business so ya.
Me: How have you found your honours year?
Ray: It has been an intense year but it’s also been very pleasurable. I’ve learnt valuable and priceless skills this year and now I can honestly say we’re competitive journalists. This course has enabled us to call ourselves journalists and I’m sure that that there’s a place for me in the industry now.
Me: What’s been the most challenging thing and the most rewarding thing for you this year?
Ray: Challenging: Time management, balancing my personal and work life has been tough. My work dominated my schedule to the point that it consumed my life.
Rewarding: Seeing our work making a difference. With our sexual harassment stories we helped how people view this institution and it’s structures, the VC award we got is proof of that.
Me: Where will you be next year and what will you be doing?
Ray: I can’t say specifically where, I’m still considering my offers but I it will definitely be in this industry, financial journalism to be specific.
Me: How would you describe #teamvuvu in three words?
Ray: Fucking awesome (that’s two but whatever), diligent and family.
Me: A word of advice for the incoming team for 2014?
Ray: Hmmm, they shouldn’t have any expectations coming in and they should always try to work with what they have. In this course what you put in is what you’ll get out. And lastly they should just have fun.
I have been looking forward to writing this final in-depth blog post for the longest time.
It has by no means been an easy journey to this semi-blank text box. This week was the most trying week of the whole year.
On Monday we were given one last opportunity to fix and fine tune our features. Most of us staying put in our seats from 7a.m to 7p.m. Coffee and durry breaks being our only escape that day.
Then Tuesday came along. All features were done so there was a little less pressure on us (or so we thought). Multimedia production began that day. We had to start putting together video’s, maps, and, and, and.
By 3p.m that day I realised that I would not be done in time. So a few of us decided to pull an all nighter. I went out and bought a toothbrush and Shandu lent me a blankie and a pillow.
The excitement of the “sleepover” started to wane at about 11p.m when I realised how real putting together an audio package was. I had never put sound together but I decided to teach myself that night. Pride isn’t the word I would use to describe the end product but ya. I did what I could.
To go with that I put together an infographic and a ThingLink, both of which I had a little experience with. When I was finally done with that a day later, I thought I had reached the finish line but was told there was one last lap to run.
Putting up all our elements on our new website for the project. The new back end looked a lot like our Wits Vuvuzela website but it was nothing like it at all. It took us a whole day to get our things up on the site. But the storm is over. We made it (somehow).
Now to cross fingers and hope people like what we’ve come up with. Read my feature piece here.
So I’ve decided to do little profiles on the team. I keep talking about these people and might have pictures up of some, but want everybody to get to know the awesome individuals I have shared the year with.
It’s a bit tense in the newsroom right now, with most people finishing off their in-depth projects. I managed to find one focused lady who was done and dusted to humor me. Miss Prelene Singh (aka Pre or Pre-Pre when we’re feeling extra silly).
The lovely “Pre-Pre” in the newsroom. Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
*Disclaimer from Prelene: “If you had told me about this interview I would probably have different answers. people are going to think I’m so dumb.”
Me: How would you describe your outfit/style for day?
Prelene: This morning I actually thought about what I would wear. I was happy and relieved to be done with my in-depth so I’m wearing orange to show that. Before this course style used to be important to me but it’s just gone down the drain, 10 steps back this year.
Me: On to the more serious, are you sure about this journalism thing?
Prelene: Yes. As a journalist you get to experience the world as no one else can or ever will.
Me: If you weren’t doing what you doing this, what would you be doing?
Prelene: *laughs* Um if I could come back as another person, I’d totally come back as Guiliana Rancic. Jokes. I’d come back as a writer, just an entertainment writer.
Me: How have you found your honours year?
Prelene: Let’s put it this way, I would have lost more if I had not done this course.
Me: What’s been the most challenging thing and the most rewarding thing for you this year?
Prelene: The most challenging would have to be keeping my perseverance and dealing with the different personalities on the daily.
The most rewarding is being recognised for the hard work I’ve done.
Me: Where will you be next year and what will you be doing?
Prelene: I have no idea *laughs*
Me: How would you describe #teamvuvu in three words?
The end is so close yet so far. Yesterday we spent the entire day indoors. Writing and re-writing (mostly re-writing) the drafts of our features. We also read and re-read one another’s features.
It was crunch time, time to make two weeks of running around Joburg looking for sources, being put on hold and having our emails pied over and over again. It was a day of reckoning, a day to do what you could with what you had. A day to take in all the criticism with your sensitivities set aside.
The week that was saw us trying desperately trying to fill the gaping potholes in the tarred road of our stories. Yesterday was about finding the nearest bucket of something to fill that hole no matter what or in some cases off-ramping just before the hole onto another path completely.
This morning we came in bright and early with one stressor put firmly behind us, ready to tackle another – Multimedia production. We have less than 48 hours to put together the multimedia elements that will accompany our features. I have not been looking forward to this part of the game.
Being a person who likes photo’s I originally intended to do a photo essay but I realised a very long time ago that my topic does not allow for that and I just didn’t want to deviate from my topic to accommodate my initial plans.
I now have an alternate plan – one that has to come together very quickly. I can only hope it does, let me get to it.
The excitement around yesterday had been brewing for a few days. We were positively buzzing when we finally hit the N1 South to Pretoria.
Our destination was a Buddhist temple in Bronkhorstspruit. I knew nothing about the place and had no scholastic interests there. I was going along for the experience and because I am a liker of things.
Shandu and Thuli didn’t hold back when we took photo’s upon arrival. Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
A few wrong turns delayed us a bit but when we finally found our way to Nan Hua Temple we realised that the long drive from Joho was worth it.
The bright red, green and gold trimmings on the Chinese architecture was breathtaking. I felt like I was on the set of every Chinese/Kung Fu movie I had ever seen. We went photo mad from the very minute we arrived. All of us so desperate to try and capture some of the beauty our words would fail to demonstrate later on.
Entrance to the main temple. Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
The very first thing I noticed was this graffiti on one of the arch’s pillars.
Really?! Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
It made me sad, that some inconsiderate people could not grant others the same religious freedom bestowed on them. It’s just crass. But all the while very telling innit?
Anyway that unpleasantness didn’t ruin the mood for long. Our guide Sipho was very helpful, he told us about everything from the architecture, to explaining some religious and cultural aspects of Buddhism.
Walking up to the main temple, a stilling calm washed over me and stayed with me for the duration of our tour. It was a really tranquil space. Being in the temple where the main shrines were was quite an experience.
The 2.5 metre high Buddha‘s were a magnificent sight. The ceilings breathtaking and the mood serene. In the temple I most enjoyed the playing of the echo drum and wooden fish. The sounds created an echo around the room that made one take in design aesthetics in a holistic way.
The rest of the tour saw us eating a vegetarian lunch in absolute silence and meeting temple master Ven Hui-Xing, who was the most animated person I have ever met. He even gave us each a gift, what a great day indeed. Have a look at the links below for more on the day 🙂
There’s just something really special about capturing a frozen moment in time. A look, a smile, a moment that would otherwise fade from your cerebral structures.
I remember the first time I got to do what I’d seen my dad do time and time again. I begged to get a disposable camera that I could take along to my very first school camp. It was yellow and black and the most valuable thing I had ever owned. I was only ten so most of the pitcures were a mess.
Early morning shoot at the Chinese Police Forum. Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
But so began a tradition. Every camp that rolled around saw me getting a little camera to take to camp. For me it was about documentation, about having visual aids that would support the stories I’d tell my family. Getting photos developed was the most exciting part of the experience because by then I had long forgotten what I’d managed to capture and the developed prints would be a pleasant surprise.
I knew I liked photos. That I like taking them, seeing them and being in them.
A few camps later and technological advancement had changed the game up. At about 14/15 digital camera’s had become commercially accessible. Naturally I just had to have one. Who wouldn’t want to see their photo’s seconds after they’d taken them? It didn’t take much convincing to get my dad to buy me my first digital camera.
It was a thing of beauty. All those buttons and things that helped me not to miss.
Suddenly it became about more than smiley group photo’s. It became about landscapes and the extraordinary things that I saw around me. It became about the things that I wanted to capture. The things that I saw and how I saw them.
Over the years as the passion for the workings of the lens has grown, so has the need to do more than just capture frozen moments.
Now I want the composition, the subject and back/foreground to tell a story. To do more than jog my memory. For the narratives to extend beyond the self.
I think that’s what I hope to do. I’m still learning and very keen to do so. Still trying to figure it out.
And just like that another week has come to an end.
I’ve just sent my second draft through to my mentor, I know it’s still messy and needs a lot of work but I feel so much better about this one for sure.
My last submission was a very, very rough sketch, mostly of things to come.
This week was far more productive than last week was. I knew it was getting late for me and my non-story so that lit a fire under my ass.
Unfinished archway at Chinatown, Cyrildene. Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
I knew that this unfinished arch in Cyrildene would be the peice of the puzzle that would make my story about development in that area come together, I just didn’t realise how vital this information would be to the rest of my story.
I’m not where I need to be yet but I am getting there I think. This may have been due to an attitude shift. I think a lot of us got over the small obstacles and chose to exhaust all other means of getting what we needed.
For lack of a better phrase, we had ourselves a cup of cement and hardened the fuck up.
The hustle was real this week, it was inspiring to watch and be a part of all at once. Maybe this won’t be the worst time after all.
Photo: Pheladi Sethusa
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