Expanding access to crucial information in Zulu
By Jamaine Krige
A 2016 alumna of the Media Management Programme of fraycollege in partnership with FP&M Seta, describes it as a “life-changing experience, which made me a better editor”.
Khanyile is the editor and co-founder of Umbele, an isiZulu online business publication. She says a few months after attending the course, she was appointed editor of Isolezwe newspaper, the flagship isiZulu publication of Independent Media. She has also worn the hats of a financial journalist and sportswriter.
“The management skills I’ve been equipped with through the Media Management course at fraycollege, really came in handy. The course also came at the right time,” she said.
Khanyile regards the importance of time management, the impact of social media and the transitioning from journalist to a news manager, as some of the valuable issues presented in the course.
“At the end of the course we were assigned mentors and I was fortunate to have Paula Fray, founder, and CEO of frayintermedia, as my mentor. To this day I am still able to call on Paula for her input and professional opinion,” she said.
“The course was attended by colleagues from all over the media spectrum and it gave me an understanding of the challenges women are faced with in today’s newsrooms. Two or three years later, when I decided to further my studies, I submitted my Media Management certificate. The institution later mentioned that my completion of the course strengthened my application,” she said.
Khanyile says the benefit of being an alumnus of fraycollege has also opened several doors for her and broadened her network. She also appreciates the opportunities she continues to receive which includes speaking engagements where she can share knowledge obtained through the Media Management course.
Khanyile recommended the fraycollege Media Management course to several of her colleagues. “The current editor of Isolezwe, Kiki Ntuli also attended the course while she was still my deputy editor.
As former financial journalist and sportswriter, Khanyile says she attributes her “wiser decision-making” to the effectiveness of the Media Management course.