Worcester Standard & Breederivier Gazette is proud to announce that its intern journalist, Namhla Monakali, graduated with a Diploma in Journalism from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town last week.
Monakali, who matriculated from Worcester Gymnasium High School in 2015, knew journalism was her calling early on in her school days, given her knack for writing colourful essays.
She said that her journey into journalism began in Grade 4 at Parsons Hill Primary in Port Elizabeth, where she eagerly joined the school’s in-house newspaper, Parsons Press.
It was there that she discovered her passion for storytelling, and on this platform she wrote about activities and events within the school.
After matriculating Monakali embarked on a gap year during which she began freelancing for publications such as Standard and Kasi Vision, while also venturing into radio at Valley FM on a programme called The Youth Journal, which was about social issues that affected young people.
Despite facing challenges of grief, burnout and including the disruption of a journalism short course by the Fees Must Fall movement at CPUT in 2017, Namhla remained steadfast in her pursuit of a career in journalism. In 2018 she enrolled full-time at CPUT and what was supposed to be a three-year course stretched into a five-year journey due to Covid-19.
“Yet,” said Monakali, “through perseverance and the resilience of the human spirit, I pushed through, breaking cycles within my family and overcoming obstacles along the way.
“My journey in journalism has been a testament to the power of persistence and the unwavering determination to pursue one’s passion despite challenges. It’s a journey that has shaped not only my career but also my character, and I’m excited to continue telling stories that matter and making a positive impact through journalism.
“Understanding that journalism is the lifeblood of democracy, I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world, so I look forward to uncovering untold stories, amplifying voices and shining a light on issues that deserve attention, contributing to a more informed and empathetic society through the power of journalism.” We congratulate Monakali on her achievement and wish her all the best in her career as journalist!
