Reviewing Reading, Writing and Chatter

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When I first looked at the blog Reading Writing and Chatter, found on http://readingwritingandchatter.blogspot.com/ I thought, Wow, that’s a lot of pink. Is this supposed to be a blog for girls or females only? However, when I took the time to further analyse the blog and read some of the writers thoughts, I realised that their discussions and their posts were quite relevant.
I found it really interesting that they had had so many posts since they recently came into existence on blogspot.com. Their different stories make the four contributors of the blog seem very diverse in their thinking. They average stories relating to politics and just general thoughts. I specifically enjoyed the posts “Bitches Brew” and “Kids in JOZA”. I found that their blog was easy to read and it was relevant to current issues and an interest to those just wanting to hear other people’s thoughts. I would however consider changing the colour a bit as it gives a perception that the blog is very female dominated in thought and in access and that is not very inviting to others who might want to read and comment on the blog. Too much pink.
Overall, I would give a 7 out of ten for this blog.

Successful Journalist does not equal Journalism Degree

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The moment one hears Rhodes University you think Journalism. But who decided you must have a degree to become a successful journalist?

As much as I aspire to become a good journalist I can’t help but wonder why a degree in journalism is necessary to do so. I concede that’s important as you get more in depth information about the media world especially at Rhodes where your fourth year is specialised. Surely however if you are dedicated to what it is you want to do, you could reach your gaols without the degree.

The journalism course this year did not provide me with further inspiration to become a journalist. Rather the practical experience I gained working at a newspaper helped clarify and remind me why I wanted to be a journalist in the first place. A

So, wouldn’t it be more helpful for some people to start as a trainee journalist at a cadet school and from there work your way up as you learn more about the field. Surely a news agency would prefer to hire an applicant who has the field experience over one who has academic backing without practical experience.

I think with a career such as journalism, if one has drive, ambition and passion you could become a successful journalist-without a degree in journalism.

English Please

The past 24 months in South African politics have been very active and stimulating, I have attended many political gatherings, debates meetings and campaigns. Politicians have been making news and I have attentively listened and engage with their inspiring massages.

These patriotic and driven men and women speak a different language when given a mic and a podium. Literally, a completely different style of grammar, vocab and syntax, not like the English you learnt in school,one of the significant characteristics of a politician/comrade/veteran of the struggle, their words are not like our words. Notice in rallies when politicians speak, there are words that break any kind of cultural or linguistic barrier, when comrades are gathered together the language they speak speaks to them more than it does the audience, because honestly nobody really understands. Comrade vocab beats the politically inclined, this is not academic jargon. This is on the street with the masses political language. “Comrade, your statement is pregnant please deliver” or “Comrade that statement is perpendicular to the policy mandate, that which is stated in clause 62 of the constitution founded by cadres, in last year’s imbizo.” Or “If you listen to the recent newspapers they are saying very loudly that there are factions breaking within the structure”. My point exactly. Not only are such statement ridiculously long and redundant but they make absolutely no sense.

These are the kind of words that have seen through revolutions and political movements and they will keep doing so till somebody raises their hand during a caucus meeting and enquires, “Comrade I have a query to helicopt, will the comrade please filter and refine the fundamental essence that which is captured in your message?”

Word's worth

The power of the mind is almost powerless if we don’t realize the power in words. Big words, small words, whatever meaning they hold to us personally there is no denying that a string of alphabets can end up in something are powerful and dynamic. Through language we use words to connect, communicate, reason and reflect.

"Sticks and stones may brake my bones will never hurt", maybe for insensitive souls but words can do worse damage than a stick or stone. I'd rather focus on words with the purpose to heal, whether one keeps a book of quotes by humanitarians and philanthropist or reads those keep well magazines there is a moment when reading that one escapes from this universe and is welcomed into the world in between the lines. The short moment engaging with the reality presented by what you read introduces you to things that you wouldn't have known if you didn't read. T.V is good but hollywood wouldn't survive without books( novels, comics). This is just a thought read more...

J: is for Journalism

Beketele Hlanze

Beketele Hlanze African students are inspired to be journos whilst the continent is in dire need of doctors and honest politicians

Whenever I read the quality traits of a journalist, from career choice books the word “inquisitive” always came up, I wouldn’t use it to describe myself. Instead I’d rather say that my curiosity is naturally inquisitive. An accurate and fitting description for anyone who is passionate about journalism and is a dedicated media practitioner, in the first week of journalism lectures this term under the course title “I read what I like” part of the answer as to why as student we would want to be journalist in the future. Was that journalist are tools of knowledge, they find knowledge then report back it to the consumers. This is where the inquisitive curiosity comes in, the will to find knowledge leads to the eagerness to find interesting knowledge that is desired and anticipated by the consumers. This applies for all sectors of journalism, economic, political, tabloid, hard news even climate/weather journalism. One of the things that make this field interesting is the method of finding and reporting the knowledge, in the beginning of the year we were taught the technique of immersing. In layman’s terms this is eavesdropping but as journalist it is an imperative tool of investigating. There is a sense of freedom that can be attributed to journalism that isn’t enjoyed by many professions, accountants, creative freedom. Noted there are constraints such as accuracy and moral code. But those limits help to sharpen creativity. An inquisitive curiosity means that as journalist, one questions, analyses and interrogates what ever information or knowledge they find out. This quality transcends into daily life and is very effective in making informed decisions.

It is for many reasons that one would be steered away from practicing as a journalist, more than once I’ve been laughed at, because the general consensus is that journalism does not pay. Given, very few professions can compete with an accountant’s salary. It is enough imbursement if one can, against all economic reason have the opportunity to practice in a field that one is passionate about. The support from family to go into a job that is perceived by many to be based on lies and deceit and is seen to be dangerous. Is all the more reason why journalism is the perfect career path for some of us. Journalism allows one the opportunity to have a socially appealing voice as a social commentator. Meaning that one can impact, positively, the live of those who don’t have the voice or the means to voice their grievances on socio-economic/political issues. It might not be financial power but through journalism ones social influence is an endless well.