Welcome to the News, Bathabile!
This week the News welcomes its new Cadet, Bathabile Msomi.
“I am very fortunate to have been selected as a Editorial Cadet at Caxton West Rand. This could not have come at a better time as I am enthusiastic to begin my journalism career,” said the newest member of the News team, Bathabile Msomi.
Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and raised in the City of Gold by parents who always encouraged reading and doing her best in school, Batha had big dreams from an early age.
“Growing up, a normal day for me would entail going to school, watching cartoons and babysitting my baby brother, but the one thing that I would look forward to in the evenings was family time when my parents and I would watch the news. My parents paid extra attention while the news was being broadcast (both on television and radio) and discussed the stories further. That was the first thing that made me want to be a journalist – the news was very important to my parents and they gave all their attention to the anchors and reporters.”
Batha said that people who worked in the media knew absolutely everything and she wanted to know because of her curious nature.
“During my teenage years, when I was a Town View High School learner, I did well in essays and creative writing. After school I participated in debating and public speaking. After I matriculated in 2008, I got a bursary to study at Boston City Campus & Business College in Krugersdorp, where I chose a media consultant qualification. I graduated but still wanted to do more studying especially because my father thought I was too young to work. I then enrolled for the media executive secretary certificate at the same campus in 2012, and at the same time I started volunteering at a Kagiso-based community radio station, Westside FM. I was a newsreader and several months after joining the station I was promoted to being a news editor, though I continued reading news as it became my passion.”
Fast-forward to 2017, where Bathabile, who is now an intern at the News, could not have asked for a better platform to sharpen her journalism skills. She is being mentored by the News editor herself, and said, “I have no doubt that her pearls of wisdom will rub off on me”.
“I look forward to sharing current affairs with the public about their surroundings, sports, business, and even some lighter news. I hope young people will realise that with focus, drive, determination, prayer, hard work and a positive attitude, dreams do come to pass – it may take a while, but God, who knows the plans that will make you prosper,will see to it that you take the positions you are destined for, and even beyond.”
Want to share your news with Bathabile? Give her a call on 011 955 1130 or send her an email at cadet2@caxton.co.za.
