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/

New Talent discovered..

Moeketsi Moticoe, The Times photographer..has done it again. He is discovering new South African Talent in the form of music, fashion and whatever is there to be scouted..check-out his latest discovery in PHONE BOOTH..
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/06/the-phone-booth/

Give me access..

I have a story to tell..It's about my press CARD..I finally used it on Friday last week..It was a hostile situation and I needed access to hear ANC general-secretary Gwede Mantashe accepting the Memorandum that was handed to him by the Khutsong residents.

They (Khutsong residents) are @it again..they are very angry about service delivery issuess and being forcefully removed to North West...! So the cops were holding back the masses (there were literally thousands there) as well as ME..but I was on some:"Sir, i need to hear what that guy is saying"..he then asked me:"Are you from the press? and I said YES..he said show me proof..I reached for my wallet and showed him my press card..and that was it..I USED MY PRESS CARD FOR THE FIRST TIME..!!

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)

Faces in Places..

Faces in places is a brilliant photographic journey by a young photographer @The Times..
check it out its absolutely beautiful..I promise you - you will want to become a photographer after this..
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/photos/2008/05/faces-in-places-3/#comment-1717

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..!

Comfy Office Chairs make for productive work.

A good friend of mine owns a very expensive looking office chair. I am talking leather seat and all. When I am sitting on it I feel so comfortable and relaxed, almost like I can take it to work without any hassles. I decided to write about this because I am not happy with the office chair that I am using at work. Most of the time it hurts my back [and I have had back problems since I was in Grade 10].

I also happened to read a story on the Business Times on Sunday about the type of office chairs employers should invest in, especially if they want their employees to perform and not slouch on the couch all day long seeking comfort. I am a junior at work and I guess it counts for nothing really if I complain about my office chair. I am sure nothing will be done about it because all around the building I see the same type of chairs and I am pretty sure my fellow journalists are tempted to slouch and seek comfort [if they are not doing it already]. How is your office chair?

Margaret Harris ends her story titled: “The right office chair is a must” in this manner “Companies that try to save money by buying cheap, badly designed chairs with no support will find themselves having to pay up for higher stress levels and failing productivity.
Employers need to invest, and this is also for the sake and health of their employees and future employees who could be the next carrying generation of any company across the country/world.

Friends starting off@ their work as well..

Joy..is one of my friends who have started the working world lately and I hope she is having fun..

PS: I am praying for you Joy..!