TUT journalism student joins Kempton Express as intern

My name is Braden-Lee Khanya Mokoena. I am 20 years old and a third-year journalism student at Tshwane University of Technology.

I would describe myself as an extrovert at heart. I love communicating with people and find joy in meeting new faces while learning about different cultures and experiences.

My personality made it easy to discover my passion and decide on my field of study: journalism has been my first choice since grade 10.

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Throughout high school, I was actively involved in planning school events and often found myself holding a microphone, conducting ‘fake interviews’ just for fun.

I was regularly entrusted with the role of MC at family gatherings, where my storytelling passion was nurtured by my family.

In grade 11, I participated in an outreach program called Disthomo, provided by Market Theatre, which aimed to expose dramatic arts students to opportunities beyond acting.

I completed the program as a lighting design intern, gaining valuable behind-the-scenes experience in theatre production.During my first year at university, we visited local community radio stations as part of our coursework.

I enjoyed my time at Hope Alive Online Radio so much that I became a part-time co-host for the lunchtime show, The Midday Hangout, which airs from 12 pm to 3 pm. Today, I continue to volunteer there as a part-time newsreader and scriptwriter during recess.

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I have also been interviewed twice by Newzroom Afrika and had the privilege of job shadowing Leanne Manas on Morning Live last December.

In my second year, I was awarded the top student in Multimedia Journalism for delivering top stories during my online practical rotation.

I am committed to my passion for storytelling and continue to seek every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the field.
Through this internship, I aim to strengthen my writing skills and provide valuable stories for my community.

My goal is to be a reliable voice for those who are often unheard, ensuring that the stories I write create meaningful impact. I hope to educate, inform, and raise awareness on issues that mainstream media may overlook.

Braden-Lee will be an intern with the Kempton Express and The Thembisan for the next six months. Residents can contact her by email at khanya@caxton.co.za