Around four months ago, I started my internship at the FunDza Literacy Trust as part of my in-service training as a Journalism student at CPUT. Not having much previous work experience, I really did not know what to expect from the environment. Would there be devious back-biting, employee-to-employee envy? Catfights that would last days and days? I really did not know.
When I started at the organisation, I was really surprised to see how much of a family each and every one of them are to each other. Unlike the cut-throat newsroom environment, I will no doubt experience in my life as a journalist, FunDza staff members take pride in helping each other, laughing and learning as they go along. Yes, there are inter-conflicts that occur between staff members, but they are all for the good of the organisation and in aid of producing the best possible content for readers.
As my internship comes to an end and I prepare for my new job as a junior journalist at ITWeb in Johannesburg, I can’t help but feel a sense of sentimentality towards the people I’ve met here. I am sad about leaving, but also really excited about the new challenges that await me.
I’d really like to thank each and every one of the FunDza staff members who so graciously sat with me to help me figure all of my duties out and were patient with me when I made mistakes. I’ve learnt so much from all of you.
The week I had to submit my portfolio, I got so much support from my colleagues, whether helping me to get my work bound, giving me extra time to complete edits, or simply helping me fill in my paperwork, the team really stood behind me.
FunDza will always have a big place in my heart. I love FunDza and you all should too.