NewsDay | Friday December 17 2021 M11 My experience as an intern at MISA Zimbabwe BY NKOSIKHONA SIBANDA BY NKOSINI AUBREY KHUPE T O fulfill the requirements of a Bachelor of Science (Honors) Degree in Journalism and Media studies at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, one had to do an internship in their third year. An internship basically exposes a student to the work environment, an experience that is key in boosting one’s employability in the media industry. So having finished my second year, I had an opportunity to intern at the Media Institute of Southern Africa – Zimbabwe in Harare. I started my internship on August 6, 2012 and it was to stretch for a period of anything between 8 and 12 months. Four students, including myself, went for the interview. I passed the interview together with a colleague from MSU. The interview was my first experience with MISA. It was professionally done. We were assigned our supervisor, Koliwe Majama who was then the Programmes Officer responsible for Broadcasting, Gender and Information Communication and Technology (ICT). Our duties included, but were not limited to media monitoring, bulk messaging, newsletter editing, writing media alerts and media communiques. It is during these activities that my first experience with journalism began. The highlight of my time (at MISA Zimbabwe), was writing bulk messages, media alerts and media communiques all which required one to have a basic understanding of the news writing elements - 5 Ws and the H, that is - the What, Who, When, Why, Where and How? For every piece I wrote, these had to be there. Bulk messages were particularly difficult because I needed to have the 5W’s and H answered in just 160 characters. It was tough and there were times I really felt like giving up. However, the struggle was worth it. Under the mentorship of Koliwe Majama, Nyasha Nyakunu (then Senior Programmes Officer), Tabani Moyo (then Advocacy Officer), Jacqueline Chikakano (then Legal Officer), Annie Musodza (Administration) and Nhlanhla Ngwenya (Director), I managed to pull through. It was only after seven months of internship that our supervisor approached us and appreciated the work we were doing saying there was significant improvement. As such, I gained news writing skills, experience that I did not previously have (except for the training I got at NUST). I also gained a better understanding of the media industry in Zimbabwe, created networks and got a few references for the future. Above all, my experience at MISA Zimbabwe afforded me a fresh sense of professionalism and a much better view of what it means to be in the professional world. The internship significantly improved my knowledge of the media in general, media freedom, media pluralism, media independence and left me with skills that will be very useful in my career Besides professional skills, MISA Zimbabwe internship programme taught me what it means to be family. Few months into my internship I fell ill and was hospitalised at Parirenyatwa Hospital. The support I got from the organisation and the staff members was overwhelming. Sometimes I say it is the reason why I fought to get better. Not many organisation give interns such warm treatment. While there is a lot I can share on my experience at the organisation, it would be unfair for me not to share potential areas of improvement for the internship programme. The world is digitalising and so is journalism and the general work environment. To remain relevant, the internship programme at MISA Zimbabwe should focus a lot more on imparting digital skills to interns. This will ensure that they become relevant in the field of journalism in this 4th industrial revolution. I would be lying if I say there were some downsides to the programme. Having learnt what it means to work in a professional environment and what it means to be family, I left MISA Zimbabwe a totally new person. The work and people ethic I developed at the organisation landed me posts with very prestigious organisations such as the Rural Communities Empowerment Trust (RuCET) in the civil society sector as well as academic institutions such as the Catholic University of Zimbabwe (CUZ) and NUST. Currently I work as a journalism and media studies lecturer in the department of journalism and media studies at NUST. I married a beautiful wife and we were blessed with one baby girl. The level of responsibility I exhibit in my work and for my family is a result of my internship at MISA Zimbabwe. To more years of refining the media landscape in Zimbabwe and beyond. Happy anniversary MISA Zimbabwe. _______________________________________________ Nkosini Aubrey Khupe is a journalism and media studies lecturer with the National University of Science and Technology’s department of journalism and media studies. I TOLD myself I wanted to intern at MISA Zimbabwe during the first semester of my second year at University after I had attended one of their workshops in Bulawayo. This was my first encounter with the organisation. The only other time was when I was looking for references for my assignments at school. I was sitting at the back of the conference room at a press club meeting with Tabani Moyo, the current acting regional director, addressing media practitioners in Bulawayo, so eloquent, articulate and well informed. I remember the discussion was about the role of the media during elections and there were a number of well-informed journalists present, engaging and deliberating on the role they should play during the 2018 elections. When the meeting ended, I was hooked. I went home and did some research on media lobby groups and the more common and active one from my searches was MISA Zimbabwe. I then scanned and skimmed through their website looking for opportunities that I could take up. When the time for me to find attachment came, I still had it at the back of my mind that, I wanted to work for MISA. I waited and waited for an advert from the organisation communicating that they were looking for interns. Through my university lecturers, I then applied for attachment. I was then called in for an interview and shortlisted for the internship programme. I still remember my first day Nkosikhona Sibanda at the organisation, it was Wednesday, 17 July 2019 and I was excited to have finally joined the organisation. The first few weeks at work were difficult, not because of the staff, but because I was stepping into new terrain and did not have a clue on how to deliver on what was required of me. I was lucky because I got a very patient and understanding supervisor, Chido Luciasi. I was amazed at how young she was, but already a beacon of knowledge. With her assistance I managed to find my footing and deliver what was required of me. The most interesting thing about MISA Zimbabwe is the unity and family environment that exists at the office. The staff is dedicated to achieving the organisation`s objectives and they have a work ethic that I had not experienced before. I suppose this is the reason why they are one of the most influential media lobby groups in the region. Their internship programme is one, if not the best in the country. I know many might want to dispute this, but allow me the chance to argue my case. Through working with individuals with a plethora of experience and knowledge in Zimbabwe’s media sector, interns at MISA Zimbabwe prove to be a cut above the rest when they leave the organisation. This is not because they are special or anything, but it is because during their one- year working experience with the organisation, they are exposed to a vast amount of experiences and knowledge that give them competitive advantage. For me personally, for example, I was exposed to advocacy work, social media marketing skills, graphic design, writing and public communication skills. The programme benefited me in terms of my professional abilities, my knowledge of the media sector, its regulation and international best practices on media and free expression, grew. The organisation under its past internship programmes has produced vibrant media activists such as Vivian Marara, the current Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) national director, and Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ) chairperson. The internship programme has a number of vital elements that help in setting a good foundation for aspiring young media and communication professionals. Happy anniversary MISA Zimbabwe. ________________________________ Nkosikhona Sibanda is a professional intern with MISA Zimbabwe