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Media industry peers, SABC reporter Nomzwanele Mngoma and Newzroom Afrika content producer Olwetu Yamba have obtained their Advanced Diploma in Public Relations, as well as Diploma in Journalism qualifications respectively, to much fanfare at Walter Sisulu University’s Butterworth graduation ceremony.
For Mngoma, the achievement represented her third qualification from Walter Sisulu University.
Mngoma and Yamba formed part of the cohort of WSU students who graduated at the institution’s autumn graduations in May after being capped at the Butterworth Campus.
Born and raised in the village of Mpame in Elliotdale, Mngoma holds a Versatile Broadcasting higher certificate, as well as a Diploma in Journalism, which opened doors for her at country’s foremost national Broadcaster, the SABC.
“Let me first applaud the practical work that we do at WSU when studying journalism because they really train and prepare us for the field. I do get challenges as a journalist of covering stories that do not get a positive response, dealing with sources that do not want to understand how journalists work. However, I can navigate all of that with the training and experience I gained as a student,” said Mngoma.
Reflecting on her upbringing and aspirations, Mngoma emphasised her desire to amplify the voices of those in underserved communities. She remarked: "I want to report on issues that affect people in remote rural areas so that their voices can be heard and get help. Those are the stories I love reporting on."
Yamba, who’s assigned to Newzroom Afrika’s Nguni news department called Indaba Zethu, spoke passionately about his career in broadcast journalism.
“As a producer, my main job is to gather stories from our journalists on the field, following which we then script, edit and finally broadcast to the masses,“ he said.
Yamba, who’s only been with the station for just over a month, said he has found the greatest joy in working with and learning from experienced industry professionals, and all the while doing it whilst using his vernacular language, isiXhosa.
Being at the coalface of challenges affecting ordinary citizens, their daily lives, and the impact of their issues, Mngoma asserted that it is through her storytelling that she is able to make a positive impact.
The graduate recently broke a story about a woman that allegedly poisoned and strangled her three children to death and then committed suicide - a story which she said was difficult for her, being a mother herself.
“Sometimes I get to cover stories that really affect me mentally. Despite the challenges, nothing is more rewarding to me than receiving a call from a person thanking me for covering their story, telling me they received help,” she said.
In offering advice to aspiring journalists, Bacela underscored the importance of versatility and resilience. She encouraged young individuals to stay informed, patient, and adaptable - emphasising the need to be prepared to work in diverse fields within the media industry.
By Yanga Ziwele & Thando Cezula
