Becoming adaptive graduates encompassing living all the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) ENVISION2030 values and principles, and being creative, distinctive and impactful in society  is what DUT aims to impart to its students.

Enzokuhle Sabela, a third-year Bachelor of Journalism student was recently given the opportunity to be part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Africa Correspondents Corps (HBCU-ACC) programme, an initiative of the Centre for African Studies at Howard University in the United States.

The 21-year-old explained that the HBCU-ACC is a platform to provide student journalists like himself and political scientists with professional development exposure and experience beneficial to for them to pursue a career as an international correspondent or political commentator.

Sabela added that his classmate, Nkanyiso Mchunu sent him a link to the HBCU-ACC programme and encouraged him to apply for it, and that’s how such an exciting opportunity came about.

He indicated that being part of such prestige programmes are vital.

“Being part of such programmes are extremely important, especially for aspiring journalists who want to make a positive contribution to the industry in South Africa and the world as a whole. Most importantly, you get a chance to build your network and broaden your horizons by interacting with like-minded individuals and experienced professionals in the field,” he explained.

Sabela professed that by being part of such a esteemed programme, gave him the privilege to fine tune his journalistic skills and develop himself within his niche of politics and current affairs, saying that such experiences would be beneficial to every up and coming journalist.

He indicated that within the short space of time that he has been involved in the programme, he learned a lot about reporting, refining one’s ideas before working on a piece of writing and how to approach one’s line of questioning.

Sabelo expressed that  when he had first arrived at DUT, he was a young man hungry for knowledge and eager to learn.

“The DUT Journalism department has moulded me into a young journalist, capable of producing hard-hitting stories in the biggest publications in the country and showcasing my skills and passion amongst some of the most promising young journalists,” he said.

Sabela further relayed that the Journalism Department have prepared him in the best way possible, and for that he will forever be grateful.

Pictured: Enzokuhle Sabela