Koketso Rabanye
03 Oct 2024
Students at North-West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng campus were treated to an inspiring and insightful guest lecture on the 04th of October 2024 as part of the KCOM 121 - Introduction to Journalism module.
The speaker, Mr. Onkemetse Matlhaku, a freelance news presenter for SABC News, shared his career journey and provided invaluable advice to first-year students as they prepare to choose their specialisation streams next year—corporate communication or broadcasting.
The guest lecturer emphasised the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and taking bold steps to advance in the highly competitive world of journalism. Drawing from his own experiences as a freelancer, he highlighted the significance of taking risks, networking, and building a strong portfolio.
“If you want to make it in this industry, you need to be willing to put yourself out there,” he told the students. “Whether it’s taking on an internship, volunteering for work, you have to seize opportunities and create your own path.” Says Mr. Matlhaku.
For the students in attendance, the lecture was not only a source of motivation but also provided much-needed insight into the realities of the broadcast journalism industry. With a critical decision looming—whether to pursue a career in corporate communication or broadcasting—many students found the talk particularly timely and useful.
First-year student, Prince Makhomisane, found the lecture extremely informative, especially as he is considering a career in broadcasting. “Today’s lecture was very educational and very informative, especially for us first-year student, so that we know how the whole broadcast field is like.” he said.
Another first-year student, Sinethemba Mgijima, expressed how the speaker’s emphasis on self-promotion in the industry gave him a new perspective on his future career in journalism.
“I got to understand that the degree alone is not enough, if you don’t build yourself, if you don’t compromise, you have to go into the space work on yourself until you’re ready to go into the position you want to see yourself in.” he noted.
As part of the BA in Communication programme, first-year students will soon have to decide between specialising in corporate communication or broadcasting for the next phase of their studies. The guest lecture provided them with a clear understanding of what a career in broadcasting entails and the unique challenges and rewards it offers.
With the decision looming next year, this guest lecture came at the perfect time for NWU’s first-year communication students, providing them with the inspiration and information they need to make informed choices about their future.