Benoni City Times welcomes intern to the team

My name is Ntsakisi Prudence Shipalana. I am a 20-year-old third-year journalism student at the Tshwane University of Technology.

I was born in Johannesburg, but I grew up in the tropical town of Tzaneen in Limpopo.

Growing up in a loving community shaped how I see the world; it taught me the importance of connection and how it can impact one’s life.

I began my schooling at Shiluvane Primary School and later attended Khataza Senior Secondary School, where I matriculated in 2022. After completing high school, I took a gap year in 2023 to reflect on who I wanted to become and what kind of impact I wanted to make.

That year confirmed that journalism was not just an option for me but a path I was meant to pursue.

I have always been a curious person.

Reading and writing were never just hobbies; they were the ways I explored the world.

My curiosity about people, communities and untold stories naturally led me to pursue a diploma in this field.

I wanted to be more than a consumer of stories – I want to tell them.

I am currently completing my Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme with Caxton Media’s Benoni City Times and Boksburg Advertiser.

This opportunity allows me to step into the real world of reporting, where I am learning how to write accurately, ask the right questions, and serve the public with integrity.

My goal is to grow into a journalist who informs communities truthfully and responsibly.

I am still learning, still growing, and still discovering my full potential, but one thing I know for certain is that my journey is driven by curiosity, passion and a deep desire to make a meaningful difference through storytelling.

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