Team Vuvu 2021
Kemiso Wessie
I am Kemiso Wessie. My name means ‘upliftment’ and this extends to the goal of my writing.
I wish to bring light and upliftment to the lives of those that come to know my words and stories. My heart has always belonged to writing and storytelling. I admire the ability in stitching together the intricacies and complexities of what we see around us every day. Writers paint a picture with all the words they know for readers to place themselves in that very moment.
My mind constantly races with all the possibilities of life which can sometimes get out of hand. I hope that studying journalism will help me tie a string around all those stories and bring them down to the reality of earth.
Rebecca Kgabo
I am Rebecca Kgabo, 22 years old. Dynamic, driven and ambitious. I recently finished my undergrad at Wits University with majors in Media Studies and Italian. I’m a people’s person, and a creative at heart, with interests ranging from reading, writing, singing, and drawing.
I also have a deep passion for travelling and exploring the world. At my core lays a deep yearning to collect and share knowledge about everything under the sun. Since that’s not possible in one lifetime though, I choose to ask as many questions as I can, and relay whatever information I may find by pursuing a career in journalism.
Matthew Nijland
My name is Matthew Nijland. I’m 23 years old and completed my Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree at Wits University in 2020, majoring in English and History. Throughout university, I have consistently been developing and nurturing my gift for writing and get a thrill out of finding the best words to explain and understand the world.
This has led me to pursue an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies this year. I’m a deeply thoughtful, creative and passionate individual who strives to use my abilities and passion to foster teamwork, hope, compassion and vigour wherever possible in the world.
Natasha Joos
I am Natasha Joos, a 22 year old student. I recently completed a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in International Relations and Media Studies at Wits University. I am currently doing a Honours in Journalism and Media Studies. I’ve always had an interest in the power the media wields and I would love to be a part of an industry that contributes to, and influences people’s mindsets positively.
I also believe that the media has the power to represent those that have smaller voices, I want to be part of a platform that does that and brings change in society.
Tshepiso Ntombela
My name is Tshepiso Ntombela, I’m 22 years of age and from Soweto. I completed my undergraduate degree in Media Studies and International Relations at Wits University in 2020.
I’ve dreamt of being a part of the Honours in Journalism and Media Studies programme since my second year at Wits in 2019, and I couldn’t be happier now that it’s actually happening. With the skills and experience I’m going to obtain from this programme, I hope to become a broadcast journalist.
Amanda Khumalo
I am Amanda Khumalo, I am 22 years young and was born and raised in Paradise Country formally known as Mpumalanga.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in International Relations and Political Studies at Wits University. I consider myself a creative and a jack of all trades. I have a deep passion for words and images, and hope to one day fuse those passions together to tell stories. I am currently completing my Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Wits University.
Karabo Mashaba
I am Karabo Mashaba. An International Relations & Politics graduate and a certified introvert committed to becoming a news anchor (I know right, the irony).
Why journalism? I believe an informed mind is the key to building a successful nation and I am ready to achieve that one news story at a time.
Gloria Motsoere
I am Gloria Motsoere, young hopeful from Pretoria. I am a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism graduate currently studying for my Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies.
In my 22 years of life as a mildly introverted individual, a large chunk of how I navigate life has been through the things that I read. This is why I want to become a journalist. I want to be part of the people that produce the news that help me understand the world and navigate this thing called life.
Keamogetswe Mosepele
Keamogetswe Mosepele studied her undergraduate degree in BA Journalism at the University of the Free State. She believes journalism chose her as she was 16 when her mother suggested the profession to her.
Keamogetswe is excited to begin her professional life at Wits Vuvuzela and finds confidence in that a few of the writers she follows are Wits Vuvuzela graduates.
She envisions herself as published author or in the broadcast journalism space.
Tshiamo Moloko
My name is Tshiamo Moloko. I am 24 years old and have a BA undergraduate degree in Media Studies and Sociology from Wits University.
Throughout my life I have had a strong pull towards telling stories and finally committed to journalism at the start of my university career. I have had the incredible opportunity of living out my formative years independently in another country, and those experiences have strengthened my desire to learn more about the world, and the people that make it so special.
My hope is that journalism will give me the opportunity to experience everything that the world has to offer and share it with as many people as possible.
Sumaya Mamdoo
My name is Sumaya Mamdoo and I am 22 years old. I was born and bred in the lively city of Johannesburg so naturally I am as lively and loud as the city.
I’ve been a Witsie for three years with majors in Media Studies and International Relations and I am excited to finally fulfill my dream of becoming a journalist.
Growing up in the city means I was exposed not only to the people and fashion of the streets but the socioeconomic issues as well. These are some of the stories that I wish to tell.
Jessica Bunyard
My name is Jessica Bunyard. I’m 22 years old and received my Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in Psychology and Media Studies from Wits in 2020.
Growing up surrounded by journalists of all kinds has influenced my interest in journalism as a career path. It has been inspiring to see how fulfilling their work is, as well as the difference they can make in our society.
Ultimately, I aim to share the global places, people, and experiences with everyone. This world has so much to offer, and everyone deserves to experience it in one way or another.
Dumisani Mnisi
My name is Dumisani Mnisi (no it is not a ‘boys name’). I am from Atteridgeville, Pretoria and I completed my BA in Drama and Film Studies, Visual Culture and Psychology at the University of Pretoria.
I have always had a passion for storytelling and research, whether it be through theater, photography, or writing. My love for multifarious cultures and documenting how the world operates and evolves is what pulled me to this course.
For me, being here was the next logical step in becoming an outstanding journalist and a well-rounded writer.
Nondumiso Lehutso
I am Nondumiso Lehutso. I majored in Media Studies and International Relations, at Wits University, with the intention to pursue a vocation in assessing and re-telling how society comes to inform who we are and how we navigate the complexities of our existence.
I am a lover of life and a creative who is invested in intelligible conversations as well as in thought-provoking perspectives and narratives. It is my intention to be the conveyer of the people’s truth, to be the agent through which the public comes to an all-rounded consciousness of the events and decisions that directly and indirectly affects them. I endeavour to be an excellent broadcast journalist.
Razeen Gutta
My name is Razeen Gutta. As a young (South) African man, going on to the global sports and entertainment scene has always been my dream. Hailing from the small North Western town of Mafikeng, the city lights have always appealed to me.
This has led to obtaining a Wits BA Degree with majors in English Literature and Media Studies. I believe that an Honours degree in journalism will sharpen my skills as a media specialist as I hope to have a simultaneous media career while furthering my studies — especially since media is becoming an increasingly important tool in shaping societal opinions.
Sinenhlanhla Sibisi
I am Sinenhlanhla Sibisi, I completed my BA in Anthropology and Philosophy at the University of the Free State.
I have always been passionate about books and writing; I believe that words are powerful and they have been my companion throughout my life. More than that I am also passionate about people and their stories, I find inspiration and beauty in the most mundane of things.
Journalism is one of my many interests and I hope this journey will help me not only as writer but also help shed light on social issues that affect all of us.
Alfonso Nqunjana
My name is Alfonso Nqunjana, I am from the Vaal Triangle and I am currently a Wits Vuvuzela journalist at the Wits University. I love photojournalism and I take my mind like a camera lens and my eyes are like the shutter button in this reality we are living in.
I am always willing to go an extra mile to get the Job done, I feel that as person, you are obligated to finish what you started. I am always looking out for places that a brewing with news. I use my photography skills to capture aesthetic photographs, portraits, nature, wildlife and unfolding events, as an intermediate photojournalist, the detail on the picture must always tell a story.
I am hoping my work goes an extra mile in keeping people informed and playing a key role in eliminating fake news.
Zanolwazi Kunene
My name is Zanolwazi Kunene. I am a student journalist at the University of the Witwatersrand who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Linguistics.
I have a passion for sports, specifically my struggling football team Arsenal, as well as for writing and contemporary culture, whether that be fashion or music. I feel that Linguistics has opened my eyes to the diverse language context of South Africa and has helped me gain a better understanding of it.
I have aspirations to improve as an individual and contribute to the team in any form that I can.
Ofentse Magudulela
My name is Ofentse Magudulela. I am a South African citizen, born and raised in the south of Johannesburg. I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications in 2020 at Varsity College, Sandton. The reason I why I pursuit my studies and chose Honours in Journalism and Media studies is because I wanted a degree that would challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone, and improve on my writing and presentation skills.
I am always curious about what is happening around me and the society, and the reason behind it. I always want to find the underlying cause of the story. Therefore, I am hoping that the stories in which I will be working on and share to the public as a journalist will deliver a purpose and change individuals lives.
Ntando Ximba
My name is Ntando Ximba; Financial and economic journalism are my primary areas of interest. Writing about complex business concepts in an easy to understand and digestible manner gives me enormous gratification.
This year I have the unique privilege of being a member of the Wits school of journalism and media studies and writing for Wits Vuvuzela, a fast-paced weekly university newspaper. Outside of academia, I am committed to long distance running and cycling, and have completed the Comrades marathon twice.
Mandisa Ntuli
My name is Mandisa Ntuli, I did Journalism at the University of the Free State. I am a huge sports fanatic.
My passion for sports started in 2012 when I first went to watch a PSL match live at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Being a student journalist for Wits Vuvuzela will challenge me enormously as it will require me to tap into a space (hard news) that I am not confident in.