Mowat Park journo brings stories to life
Kuzivakwashe Chikanya is part of the Siyakhulisana Programme at the school for learners who are interested in the media and entertainment industry.
THE very first edition of Mowat Park High School’s new school newspaper, Siyakhulisana Weekly was published last month with the next one set to hit the shelves soon.
The initiative is made possible by the stellar work of budding journalist and Grade 9 learner, Kuzivakwashe Chikanya.
She is part of the Siyakhulisana Programme at the school for learners who are interested in the media and entertainment industry.
As a true writer at heart, Kuzivakwashe took on the school newspaper project. “I was the only one on this specific project. I had to gather articles around the school from whatever or whoever I deemed interesting. I love writing whether it is poetry, stories or anything that comes to mind in my free time. Writing is who I am and I’d like to think that I’m good at it. So it made sense to put my vocabulary and writing skills to good use. It’s been an interesting opportunity to take other people’s voices or stories, transfer them to paper and share that with other people,” she said. The introvert also explained that she had another motive for taking on this project.
“Since I don’t really talk to people much, I thought that by doing this and putting myself out there by interacting with other people, it would help me with my social and people’s skills. It was a challenge in the beginning. But this opportunity has helped me approach and get to know people a lot better. It has given me a new perspective on different things around me and life,” said the 15-year old who single handily compiled all the articles in the newspaper.
She also took the initiative to learn more about the world of journalism and media through online courses. “I’m very proud of how my hard work and effort has come to life because at the time I still had to juggle doing my school work.”
Her teachers describe her as a go-getter and a top academic achiever who scores impressive results in all her subjects, securing first place in her grade. Kuzivakwashe was also awarded the school’s principal scholarship when she enrolled at the school.
The newspaper retails for R30 a copy. The school hopes to print more copies of the next edition and appeals to the greater public for ink donations. For more information contact Mowat Park High School on 031 469 0425.
