BY: MASHUDU MAGADU
With pride and anticipation, Tshwane University of Technology recently celebrated the graduation of its Journalism students in a ceremony that marked not an end, but a beginning. Held at the Ruth First Wall, Soshanguve South Campus, the event saw over 800 qualifications confirmed during the second week of April.
Among these were 150 certificates, 100 diplomas, over 200 Bachelor’s degrees, 45 Honors degrees, 13 Masters degrees, and 9 Doctoral degrees.
Addressing the graduates, Campus principal Mr T. Maluleke emphasized that the ceremony symbolized not the culmination of their journey, but the commencement of a new chapter in their lives. “A graduation ceremony does not represent the end but rather the beginning of the next chapter in life,” he remarked, setting the tone for the event.
Head of the Journalism Department, Dr. Lizette Odentaal, echoed this sentiment, referring to the occasion as the coming of age for the next generation of Editors, Sub-Editors, and News Reporters.” As graduates you stand on verge of joining the global workplace and become economically active members of the society as a hole with a clear intent to serve a great purpose for the benefits of all mankind,” she said.
“Graduating made me really proud and excited about what’s next and it marks the start of a new chapter in my life. Now, I’m focusing on doing my best at work and helping the company that I work grow. I want to keep learning and improving what we do.” Said Christopher Buda, Journalism graduate.
Christopher Mcinga, representing Student Living, expressed pride in the graduates who had undergone internship programs with the organization “We are thrilled to see graduates enter the Journalism field as we know that there are a lot of bad actors in the disinformation and misinformation stage. As Student Living we are proud of the learners that have gone through the internship process with us and have pushed through to a point of graduating. Three are currently placed in media organization’s such as The Star Newspaper, MeD8 Media, Highveld Chronicle. This year on year program by MeD8 Media is proving to be a sustainable initiative”, he said.
According to the Campus Student Representative Council, all graduates play a vital role in the success and growth of University and will help with influencing senior Journalism students to work hard in the Department.
