Masterclass teaches students the insights of the media industry

Students in the School of Languages and Communication Studies have had an opportunity to rub shoulders with leading media personalities who, through a masterclass, lectured them on the insights and opportunities available in the radio, print, television, and social media industry.

The masterclass was a collaboration effort between the University of Limpopo and Capricorn FM through a Leadership Expo.

One of the guests, television actor and producer Fumani Shilubana, said the television space requires creativity to keep it alive. He told students to take advantage of Limpopo province because it has so much content that aspiring film and TV producers can use.

The Giyani Land of Blood actor advised students to form partnerships to create opportunities for themselves.

“The television industry is powerful with endless opportunities. Organise yourselves to create and produce your own content,” Shilubana said.

Social media entrepreneur Daniel Marven Modimo, who boasts 12 years as a social media entrepreneur, said if utilised profitably, the social media space can defeat the scourge of unemployment among graduates.

Marven, who has over 800k Twitter followers, advised students to use advanced technology to change their lives.

“It’s a great way to change your life. It took me 10k tweets a day to become an influencer, and brands approach me to market their work,” he informed.

“The social media that you are currently signed up to, think hard on how you can make money without spending money. Seek knowledge and master it,” he added.

Among the speakers was James Shikwambana, a radio veteran and Managing Director of MSG Afrika Broadcasting, which comprises Capricorn FM and Power FM 98.7, who lectured on radio management and licensing. He also highlighted how Capricorn FM managed to change the radio landscape in Limpopo through their training programmes.

“Through this relationship, we will continue to open doors for students to receive their training,” Shikwambana said.

He said being close to UL allows the station to never lack talented presenters. He said 50% of the staff at the station are alumni of the university.

Shikwambana said students should not focus only on presenting as there are also opportunities in production, marketing, music department, news reading, editing, and field reporting.

Renowned newspaper editor and retired journalist, Mathatha Tsedu, who spoke on the decline of newspaper printing and how technology has impacted the industry, said that this had a far-reaching impact, especially on employment. “It was hard for new graduates to find jobs because there was no profit to be made.”

According to him, there has been a tremendous change in how print journalism is conducted. “Newspapers used to break news, but recently, social media are breaking news before newspapers.”

Evidence Mongwe, a first-year Communication Studies student, reflected on his career choices: “I used to think I chose a degree that was useless because I did not know there was a lot more I could do. I can be a spokesperson or lead a big newspaper like the Daily Sun or work in government,” said Mongwe.

By Reuben Maake