Phone Booth

The next edition of phone booth has started yet again...Photographer, Moeketsie Moticoe brings to life some of the hidden and already famous talent in Mzantsi. Check it out for yourself.
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/07/the-dirty-skirts/ (dirty skirts)

Will I be one of these?

I'm moving to the sports sections of The Times as of Monday 14th July..and day and night I keep thinking to myself..."Will I be like one of these"? Now these men have built a name for themselves in the sports (soccer) fraternity and they are well respected for their knowledge of the business...

I'm talking about Mninawa Ntloko and Bareng-Batho Kortjaas. Ntloko wrote for The Times but was later recruited back by Business Day and BBK is currently with the Sunday Times and does the Metro FM sports show...Clearly these men have built a name for themselves, no doubt about that. I'm a bit nervous and excited at the same time...Is passion enough for this or I need more than just passion,determination and hard-work?

Whatch this space...I resume my duties on the 14th July.!

My first ever "podcast"...

As I type this...it has been viewed by 320 people with 3 comments (i guess people just like viewing and not commenting)...Its about the Hartebeespoot dam which has been infested by high levels of algae! check it out
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/06/3-year-clean-up-for-dam/

Happy Birthday to us..

Can you believe it..We (The Times newspaper) are a year old..its has been a year full of Drama and excitment. From being load-shedded to almost dying during the recent xenophobic attacks, we have managed to keep our heads up...I have however been hear for 2months and can not do justice to how the past year has been so check out our Multi-media producers relating the stories they loved doing..

http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/videos/2008/06/its-been-a-memorable-year/

Enjoy..! (pictured, is Ray Hartley..our Editor)

Life of a journo.

You know what they say: "From hero to zero.." This is how I feel after I had two stories in a row this week (one of them included the almost traumatic event in Alexandra township). I then went to a press briefing @the COSATU house on Wednesday and had what i deemed to be a good story..actually I wrote up three stories on the day. Guess what, none of them got published..I have to say this has left me feeling down. A journalist needs to get more things published so his confidence can be built up..especially if you are a juniour journo!!

Aaaggg..the sub-editors had their reasons as to why they did not put my stuff in there, NO HARD feelings. I need to deal with it now because that is going to be the story of my life as a journo..! I will continue to thrive in my skills coz I believe I am a damn good writer and no one can take that away from me..! I'm not angry just low in confidence..! OK..!
Guess what..you can still google my name to find more stories that I have done..They have certainly increased in number..!

My career seems to be taking off

This week I moved into The Times newsroom. Trust me I am excited about my career as a journo, but I am having a dry spell as far as stories are concerned. Basically I need to have contacts and get news that is fair and accurate. I'm a bti nervous about that..Sometimes I have questioned wether my career is taking of or not..!I have to read a lot and know what I'm talking about in all areas..Almost like a jack of all trades but a master of non..!

This is because we journalist are not expects on alot of issues hence we call alot of them and let them say what the real issue is..I dont get payed for my opinions but for my reporting..But the hope is that in future i will get paid to say what i think..! GET A COLUMN..that is what i am working towards..! Join me in this journey..and the rest of my fellow Graduates on the Avusa Pearson Programme for young journalists..!

The Graduate (It feels good)

I would like to see this day as having been one of the best days in my life. I finally got that certificate that i worked hard for...I spent 4 years at Wits University for this one! So It was all for my parents though..nothing else really. They were proud on the day and came through to Jozi and spent the day with me and we went to my Graduation..! Look at them., THEY REALLY WERE PROUD..jokes aside..!