by Arnold Nkuna
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) partnered with the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) to host the Women in Media and Communication Speed Mentoring event. This initiative provided a unique platform for students from the Department of Integrated Communications and Journalism to engage directly with leading professionals in the industry, fostering opportunities for mentorship, networking, and personal growth.
Mentors and mentees networking at the speed mentoring
event hosted by TUT and the GCIS.
Michael Currin, Deputy Director-General of GCIS, opened the event with a powerful message on the significance of collaboration and humility in driving gender equality. He underscored the critical role men must play in championing gender equity, especially during Women’s Month. Currin emphasised that achieving a more inclusive society requires collective action to combat gender-based violence, break down systemic barriers, and amplify diverse voices.
As the session unfolded, students eagerly absorbed the wisdom shared by prominent figures in media and communication. The mentors, renowned for their contributions to the industry, generously offered their knowledge and experiences, aiming to inspire and empower the next generation of communicators.
Following the mentoring sessions, students had the opportunity to engage in open discussions with their mentors, asking questions and sharing their reflections. Ms. Nonhlanhla Ndawonde, a copywriter at GCIS, was particularly moved by the students’ concerns about the job market. She acknowledged the harsh reality of youth unemployment in South Africa and addressed students’ anxieties about the future of work in an era of artificial intelligence. Ndawonde reassured them that while AI is a powerful tool, it ultimately relies on human creativity and expertise to function effectively.
She encouraged students to harness the power of media by staying informed, creating their own opportunities, and embracing their roles as storytellers and content creators whether through journalism, entrepreneurship, or illustration. Her message was clear: the future of media is not just about landing a job, it’s about shaping narratives, building communities, and driving change.
Other mentors who participated included Slindile Masikela, Senior Reporter at ENCA; Brite Nemaranzhe from the GCIS; Danette Breitenbach, Managing editor of Bizcommunity and the co-editor of its marketing and media portal; Nomshado Lubisi Nkosinkulu from Media Monitoring Africa; Nonhlanhla Ndawonde, GCIS; Pieter du Toit – News24; Lorato Tshenkeng, Decode Communication and Nikelwa Tengimfene from NECSA
Journalism and Integrated Communication students learning from prominent figures in the media and communication industry at the TUT/GCIS Speed Mentoring event.