by Chelsea Geach
Write Side Up is a group of four journalism students from Rhodes University, South Africa. We hope to open up discussion about the world of journalism, compare reading lists with other students and, of course, share stories about life as a ‘journo’-in-training.
Before wading into the world of journalism, however, I’m going to kick off with an introduction, written in a blog-appropriate tone of self-centredness:
Writing a personal blog is narcissistic and self-indulgent – and, if done right, incredibly entertaining! I am a fearsomely opinionated individual, but only with regards to highly important matters such as res food (I reject sautéed streetchild!), BCom students (down with popped collars and white loafers!) and Rhodes slang…bru.
On other important matters such as politics, literature, theatre and the Meaning of Life, I prefer to explore rather than rant. Being opinionated is (in my opinion!) overrated. I would far rather discuss, debate and hopefully discover exciting new perspectives that can challenge and illuminate the views I have of the world.
To cast my geeky explorer’s headlamp over a few personal interests, I would like to use this blog to talk about literature; as aspiring journalists we all have reading material to comment on and recommend. Another relevant and (I hope) fascinating topic is the influence of journalism in modern societies, and, by extension, in popular culture. From here, we can saunter into the realm of politics, and the function of journalism in modern democracies. Alternatively, we can pry into the role of journalism and reading in general in shaping individuals and cultural identity.
Rather than a proclamation of my beliefs and world views (although those will certainly be included), I hope for this to be a forum of discussion, exploration and the sharing of good writing.
So, dear reader, I would love to entertain you with generous helpings of Bill Bryson-esque humour on a bed of wit and thrilling experiences. Unfortunately for us both, all I have to offer is a staple of sarcasm, a side of cynicism and, if we’re lucky, the odd dash of intelligence.
Read on!
What kind of a blogger am I?
By Sinethemba Pani
Sinethemba Pani is an 18 year old female who is currently doing her first year in Bachelor of Arts at Rhodes University, majoring in Anthropology and journalism. People usually describe her as talkative, ambitious, hard worker and kind. Out of all the characteristics that people associate with her she sees her self as a shy, ambitious, determined girl. The Girl I am writing about is me.
During my high school years I participated in many sports including debate, poetry and public speaking. Being shy never stoped me from doing what I wanted to do. During those years I exactly knew that when am at Varsity I will study journalism. Growing up in previously disadvantaged community, town and schools made me realise that I can do better in improving disadvantaged places. I realised that there are so many untold stories about rural areas and ordinary people. I believe that being a journalist is not all about going around chasing Elites, politicians and people whose voices can be heard rather it is about making the unheard heard, improving places and people. I believe that journalism can contribute to a change.
The kind of journalism I would love to be one day, is the one who is free, the one who is able to write about what she things will benefit people. The one who is free to write about whatever she wants to Wright about; with out being afraid of what the SABC board members will say. With being afraid of what the politicians will say or do. Rather with the concern of how many people I am equipping, encouraging and motivating.
The aim for my group blog is to tell all the journalism students about our experiences during our first year at varsity.
I write my first personal post in more than just a little bit of a crushed mood. Several days ago I was so excited to see that the weather forecast for Saturday was going to be sunny with a max of 28 degrees. Here I am on Saturday and all I see when I look outside are clouds, along with a few trees swaying in the wind. While the transition from Cape Town to Grahamtown has been met mostly with smiles from my point of view it is the weather that I have the biggest problem with. I am nonetheless very happy where I am now and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in this country.
While my room and residence may by no means be the largest on campus, I have overcome these potential difficulties along with others by blinding myself to the negatives and instead finding positives, and I have indeed found plenty. Another thing that people constantly ask me is why I would come all the way from Cape Town to Grahamstown, emphasising how little there is to do in my new home compared to Cape Town. It is a fair question as I have to agree there is very little to do here, but at the same time I am in the company of thousands of people in my same position and it is never too difficult to find a friend and make something out of nothing. And furthermore where else would I be able to meet people from every corner South Africa has let alone outside the countries borders.
When it comes to academics Rhodes is the perfect platform for me. Being around so many aspiring journalists is an encouraging environment to be in considering I come from a family that are all in the financial sector and my friends from home see things a little different to me as they aspire to become business moguls and architects. The opportunities here are also so exciting and I will never forget my early experiences behind the microphone of a live radio station.
As one of the authors of write side up I look forward to sharing my views on a range of different aspects that first years encounter. Most of which are seen by students in a negative way, but my goal is to turn that view the write-side-up…the positive side and indeed the side that I prefer.
After selecting one or more options out of the lists of various physical characteristics, I thought I would be described fairly accurately, but no; even my friends wouldn’t recognize me just from those criteria. Perhaps a selection of distinctive features and habits may narrow it down, but those are also not exactly what defines a person. In my choices from a list of adjectives I came closer to the truth: I filter my personality according to my company, keeping only my independence, competence, articulation and (alas!) criticism constant.
During this week's tutorial we were asked to spend the hour doing nothing but think and talk about ourselves; a task which admittedly nobody felt completely comfortable about. It was interesting to see because as human beings we are generally innately self obsessed yet when it comes to revealing these true feelings about ourselves we become shy.
It appears that we have learnt that it is frowned upon to talk about ourselves. Many of us expressed our discomfort and how we felt we were being vain.
While society has taught us the importance of modesty it is unfortunate, and potentially problematic, that we are so scared to focus on ourselves. Without having a full understanding of whom you are and what makes you how can anyone ever wish to achieve in life? As aspiring journalists and first time bloggers, it is especially important to be completely sure of outselves. Unless you are certain about where you stand in life how can you portray your opinions to the rest of the world?
As well as this, this exercise, if it did not reveal truths about who you are, it definately exposed the person you would like to be. When answering the questions I often felt that my responses were true but exaggerated. I am not entirely diplomatic or hardworking or generous, but I do feel that they are things that I do contain and should strive to develop.
At the end of it all, regardless of what society preaches, I think it is important for us all to have a little narcissistic moment. Without knowing, respecting and loving ourselves how can we ever wish to do that unto others?
After the tutorial on Wednesday I learned that what I may feel about myself may not be the same in times to come. Even the space of a few seconds can change the opinion of myself.
Also it is difficult for me to describe my own features; its something I have never really had to do before so it was quite a weird experience.
Finally I learned that it is hard to recognize qualities about ones self instead it is a lot easier to let others recognize your talent, unless you just really can't help yourself like Kanye.