My intern experience at FunDza has taught and liberated me more than I ever thought it would. In my first two and a half months, I had been focused on doing my utmost best so that I could have a presentable portfolio for CPUT. However, I quickly became involved in office activities, debates and conversations. I got to know the people that I worked with, not only as colleagues but on a more personal level. I consider everyone in the FunDza team to be a friend of mine.
I’ve been encouraged to do my best and be myself within my editing, writing and everything I did at FunDza. My mentor, Zimkhitha Mlanzeli, was not afraid to give me work or take me to task if I did not perform as expected. This taught me the value and sense of responsibility and working in a team. She and Dorothy Dyer (who I also consider to be a mentor) assisted in helping me to better my writing. Their constructive criticism is what pushed me to want to do better.
The FunDza team is more like a family, they celebrate each occasion and deserved success together. I was fortunate enough to be a part of those celebrations. The office is often filled with laughter and buzzing conversation, and it was a pleasure being at work every day. Even having to travel the distance from home to work to each day didn’t put me off one bit. It was all worth it. Knowing that someone read my blogs or appreciated my advice on writing and editing humbled me. As relaxed and comfortable the atmosphere was at the FunDza office in Muizenberg, everyone always had work to keep them busy. And at the times that I did not have any work, I would ask for more tasks to do as a way of branding the working ethic in myself.
Having had a former CPUT journalism graduate and fellow classmate there helped me a lot. If I needed advice on what to do in regards to university policy or requests I could ask Ndibulele Sotondoshe and Masibulele Lunika for advice on what to do or how to do something. I loved being there. As a book worm myself, FunDza was the perfect place for me to be. That is where I sharpened my skills and furthered my love for reading. I could easily relate with many of the stories that I edited, which made it more fun to give feedback on them. Everyone at the FunDza office had input as to where I am as a person, editor and writer today (whether they knew it or not). It certainly does take a village to raise a child (well, figuratively speaking).
I still have a lot to learn and being at FunDza, I can only hope to learn more. My internship was a fun and wonderful experience. I had often wondered if it would lead me to where I wanted to be (my passion I mean) and yes it has. I couldn’t have asked for a better organisation to accommodate, assist, advise and help me through my internship journey. This experience has opened my mind to so many possibilities and has shown me what I am capable of. I just needed the right place with the right people at the right time to show me the way.