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JOURNALISM WORK EXPERIENCE

JOURNALISM AND RADIO/TV PLACEMENTS IN NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES AND RADIO

Observe experts in Journalism and learn how they work in South Africa. These Work Experience placements aim to give you maximum benefit and experience. The experience you gain will be invaluable to you in the future and totally different to what you're used to in your home country.

We have three very different types of journalism work experience placements in South Africa, something to suit everyone's requirements and preferences. All our journalism placements offer the opportunity to observe, learn and gain excellent experience.

The Cape  Times, a large daily newspaper in the heart of bustling Cape Town. 
The Big Issue,
a monthly features magazine sold in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

CCFM,
a Christian Radio Station based in Muizenberg, a suburb of Cape Town

On this page:

"The staff were very friendly and it was a really pleasant environment to work in. I have kept in touch with them and am continuing to write for them here in England, and they are continuing to publish my work in South Africa. The placement has given me experience that would have been very difficult to arrange with a similar-sized publication here in the UK, particularly as I lack any background in journalism. Therefore, it has given me a foot in the door of an industry that would have been relatively inaccessible to me previously. I have now got the confidence that I can succeed in the profession and have already started freelance work for different publications in the UK, in addition to articles still being published in South Africa. Cape Town was a fabulous place to do this placement ..."

      .

South Africa, Sun, Surf and Sea, where you can do voluntary projects in teaching, care work, work experience, conservation, sports, and much more!

Handing over a donation from Travellers to the Big Issue for the Homeless World Cup

Return to the South Africa Home Page and
the list of all our projects in South Africa


Cape Town at night, viewed from across the harbour

The Cape Times, a daily city newspaper

Cape Town is the third biggest tourist destination in the world today and has a daily newspaper to match - The Cape Times. It is the oldest, continuously published, newspaper in South Africa (founded in 1876) and is a sister newspaper of the oldest title, the Cape Argus (founded in 1857). The offices are situated at the heart of the bustling city, only a short walk away from the magical Gardens, where you can enjoy your lunch hour under the whispering trees and hand-feed squirrels scampering past… truly idyllic.

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Readership is mostly drawn from the middle to upper income brackets, and the bulk of readers are in the Cape Town metropolitan area, which has a population of around 4million. The demographics of readership closely mirror the demographics of the Western Cape.

The Times does not do ‘infotainment’, celebrity news (unless they are really naughty), tabloid journalism or other cheap shots like vox pops surveys on trivial issues. They take readers, and the news, seriously, and the “Opinion and Letters” pages are highly contested terrain, where intense public debates on issues like affirmative action, globalisation, racism, HIV/Aids, the Middle East conflict, the war in Iraq, Zimbabwe and other topical issues are fought out, with some of South Africa and the world's heavy hitters writing for the paper.

The Cape Times has a long and proud liberal-left tradition of journalism and was a vocal and much-hated enemy of the apartheid regime. It continues this tradition today and maintains an editorial stance that is fiercely independent of government, political parties, big business and other pressure groups. With a strong tradition of environmental campaigning, it has also become a leading voice in debates around issues like climate change.

The paper has a small, compact News Room (10 full time news reporters) with a friendly, comradely atmosphere. The more seasoned journalists and photographers are always willing to share contacts and background information with visiting students, interns and journalists. At various times of the year, they host visiting journalists from Germany and the Netherlands, journalism masters' students from the University of Southern California, graduate students from North Western University (Medill) and undergraduates from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first edition goes off screen at about 9pm, and the second edition off screen at midnight (or later if a big story is breaking.) The night shift reporter(s) work from 3.30pm through until the paper goes to bed.

An international driver’s license would be a big advantage as The Times has pool cars that are used by interns to go out on assignments and to get stories. They will not have people to drive you around. If you go on the placement with out a license it will mean that most of your work will be deskbound, unless you go out with someone else on a story.  Taxis may be used but this will be at your own expense, as public transport in Cape Town and South Africa generally does not cover all areas.

You'll usually work the hours to suit you within the placement, but your typical working day could look like this:

  • 09:00 – 10:00 - Morning coffee, read morning newspapers and wires and set up interviews

  • 10:00 – 11:00 - Attend the news room planning conference where you have to sell your own story ideas to the news editor and all other ideas will be discussed.

  • 11.00 – 18:00 - Early page deadlines from 3:30pm. Then you’ll spend the rest of the day working on your stories for the next day.

  • You may have to work till about 18:30 or later if an exceptional case/story occurs.

There could be variations of this schedule as the Times may want you to start earlier to finish later. As an approximate outline you will generally be working Sunday to Thursday so your weekend will be Friday and Saturday.

Neither we, nor the organisation you will be working for, can guarantee the amount of work that will be available for you during your placement. You should understand that, as with any business organisation, the quantity of work available will vary according to external factors (e.g. number of stories, breaking news, or other factors relevant to the type of organisation, etc.)

Good for your CV? Yes!
Andrew McGlashen did a journalism Work Experience placement in the Sports Department of the Cape Argus. The result was ... "Thought I would you know at Travellers that I have got the job in London that you heard about on the grapevine. It's working for a major cricket website called Cricinfo [http://www.cricinfo.com/] based in Shepherd's Bush. They were very impressed with what I had done in Cape Town so I owe many thanks to you all for organising my placement."

“I enjoyed it very much as I was allowed to write as I wanted.” Andrew Maxwell

"[I gained] Experience of the workings of a newspaper and journalism, which was a completely new field for me. Equally important was that I gained evidence – through published articles – of the standard of my work and the position I had held – i.e. sports writer. Also, I gained experience of working in a different culture, country and work environment." Tim Newnes

The Big Issue

The Big Issue is described as a general interest monthly magazine. It has also been described as a sugar coated bitter pill – it confronts, it challenges, it attempts to uncover, it tries to break down fixed paradigms, and bring readers along with it on a journey of discovery. It aims to show the real issues facing South Africa.

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information on this project
 
in .pdf format
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The magazine also aims to entertain and, with its alternative and younger focused arts section, it attracts readers from a broad spectrum of society.

With the Big Issue, you will be working with the editorial team, helping research and produce the articles for the magazine.  They also accept people who would like some experience in layout and design.  Again this is a placement where you need to show motivation, skill and action.  At risk of using the old cliché “What you put in is what you get out!”

The uniqueness of The Big Issue: This magazine is sold through vendors who are poverty-stricken, usually street kids or homeless people. Vendors buy the magazine for R3.50 and sell it for R6.50, keeping the difference. But there is more to this Magazine - it has a substantial social support programme for its vendors including alcohol/drug support meetings, computer, art and literacy classes, job club and assistance with finding accommodation. There are currently 2,524 vendors - 1,928 men and 596 women. Most are homeless, living in vulnerable accommodation or long-term unemployed. There are approximately 250 vendors selling the magazine on a regular basis

When The Big Issue hit the streets of South Africa on December 1996, the first copy was sold to the Minister of Social Welfare and Population Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi. It is a monthly publication selling 15,000 copies every edition.

“Catherine is doing exceptional work - I think she's shown the other interns and staff writers how things should really be done. Since she's started here she's done more work than most interns do in two or three months, and to a much higher quality. The timing is perfect since we're working on our November issue (100th issue, 100 pages) and there's a lot more work than usual to do. I only wish she could stay longer...”
The editor of the Big Issue, commenting on Travellers Volunteer Catherine Boal.

Read an article written by Travellers volunteer Jennie Hopkinson (pictured at the top of this page) and published in the Big Issue


Travellers volunteer Andrew Gibson at work
at the Big Issue

CCFM, a local Radio Station

CCFM is a local radio station located in Muizenberg, a lovely suburb on the Indian Ocean side of Cape Town and about 3/4 hour by train from the centre of the City. It is famous for its wonderful stretch of white, sandy beach, warm waters and surfing, and and also for area on the beach called the Snake Pit where people congregate to socialise and suntan. The Snake Pit is surrounded by very colourful beach huts and is a feature.

Download and print additional
information on this project
 
in .pdf format
 in Word format

This is a 24-hour radio station with approx. 220,000 listeners. If you are capable of broadcasting, you will be asked to take on such features as presenting the news, etc.  One of the advantages of working in a small local radio station is that you get to observe and learn about all aspects of broadcasting, from being on air to collecting news to running the station.

CCFM radio station is religious in flavour and this should be borne in mind.

Muizenberg is quiet town that comes alive in the summer with day-trippers to the beach. During the winter it is much more peaceful and serene. There aren't any clubs and the town does tend to close down at night, so if you're the type of person who can happily laze back during quiet evenings, you'll be well suited for this placement. Muizenberg is on the main railway line to Cape Town (takes about 45 minutes) and the Cape Town station is right in the centre of town, very modern and well positioned.

Beach huts at Muizenberg
Accommodation and Living in Cape Town

A ten minute walk from the centre of the bustling Cape Town CBD is the quieter, more chilled out area of Green Point. Here we use St Johns Waterfront Lodge, one of the better known backpackers’ lodges for your accommodation. It is not only close to the city, but also to the famous V&A Waterfront (5 min walk) and literally a hop, skip and jump away from the ocean. Among a host of other activities, from here you can visit the world-famous Robben Island by boat, where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner for 27 years!

 

Apart from other Travellers volunteers, this hostel mainly attracts international travellers to Cape Town. It is uniquely built on two plots so literally has two of everything, including two pools! They are very friendly and will always help you where needed. They can answer any questions or can even help when you need some TLC because you feel a bit homesick!

The Main Lodge is the centre of all the lodges and is a meeting point for everyone. You can discuss your day in the living room, have a nice chat out on the terrace, go for a swim, watch a movie, etc. Included in the placement cost is a bed in one of the large 8-bed dormitories, so you will be sharing. However, there is an option of choosing a single or double room if you are happy to pay the difference, but we do find that volunteers staying in the larger dormitories tend to make friends easier and be a bit more social. Remember, safety by numbers is always the most responsible way to do things!

This lodge has a living room, lots of bathrooms and a two well-equipped kitchens. It also has a lovely big (recently renovated) living area with satellite TV, a cosy bar and very comfy couches. In the main outdoor area, there are two pools, the braai (South African for BBQ) area and lots of tables and benches in the beautiful garden. There is a payphone inside the main lounge and a FREE internet service. St John’s has also recently fitted a CCTV security system, so you can live with peace of mind, knowing that you are safe and sound.

Food: You will be given a food allowance to buy your own food from the big supermarket up the road.  The lodge is equipped with a kitchen with a fridge, stove, oven and microwave, and all the necessities to cook a good meal.

To also assist you during your time with us in South Africa, we have included the web-link for Pick and Pay a major Supermarket in South Africa, by logging on to:

https://prod.hs.pnp.co.za/pnp/web/login/login.do?action=dummyLogin should give you all the latest prices. Hopefully this will help you have an idea how much food out in South Africa and how best to budget yourself during your time out there.
Travel:
You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.) Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.
We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you make your own travel arrangements or not.


Aerial photo of Cape Town

You will fly directly into Cape Town where you'll be met by our Cape Town Manager, Roger King. He'll take you to your accommodation and see that you're settled in.  He will also take you to your work and introduce you to everyone. If you're placed at the George & Knysna Herald, you'll fly directly into George where you'll be met at the airport by Bill Fussell, our South Africa Manager.

VISAS:. We'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

To read about our extensive Support & Backup, please click here.

VISAS:. In countries where visas are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

PRICES

To see the Prices of this project and all our other projects in South Africa, please click here

Prices include
  • Food & accommodation while on your project, unless otherwise stated,
  • 2 T-shirts, if required for your project
  • All support and backup during your programme
  • Meeting you at the nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.

Return to the South Africa Home Page and
the list of all our projects in South Africa

TO APPLY FOR THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CLICK HERE

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Last modified: March 18, 2008