Lerato Makena, a former executive member of the Communications Student Association (COMSA) at Unisa, has been awarded the prestigious National Press Club/North-West University (NPC-NWU) 2023 Award for Community Journalist of the Year. Her outstanding contributions to community journalism, particularly through her involvement with Unisa Radio, have been recognised, marking a significant achievement in her burgeoning career.

Lerato Makena proudly displaying her trophy and certificate

Makena, who hails from a small village in Mpumalanga formerly known as Limpopo Stompo, recounts her journey from humble beginnings to her recent success. "I was that student who didn’t excel in mathematics during high school," she says. "I wanted to be an economist or something in the commerce sector – perhaps an accountant or a financial advisor – because I was following in my brother’s footsteps. I didn’t qualify for these options and enrolled for Public Relations and Communication Studies. I didn’t really understand the profession until I completed work-integrated learning in my final year."

During her studies at Unisa, Makena joined COMSA as their public relations officer. "The experience I gained at COMSA opened doors," she says, "and allowed me to join the National Press Club."

Taking the first step

Makena in her "happy place" – behind the microphone

Her journey into radio journalism began when she joined Unisa Radio as a volunteer. "I was not a radio listener to begin with," Makena admits. "I started to love radio three years ago when I joined a start-up online community station called Madville Radio, and I loved it. I was a presenter and a public relations officer because I had experience from an internship I completed at the University of Johannesburg and being part of the executive at COMSA. I then applied to Unisa Radio because the seed was already planted, and I couldn’t ignore it. I now had a passion for radio. I submitted my CV twice to Unisa Radio and finally got in after an interview."

Makena’s hard work and dedication paid off when she was announced as the winner of the NPC-NWU 2023 Award for Community Journalist of the Year. "I was extremely excited – I felt I had a chance to receive the award because I believed in the feature interviews that I previously conducted," Makena says. "I am thankful for the associations that provided me with volunteer positions. They gave me room to make mistakes and learn. I was able to enhance my skills. I am passionate about learning new things in order to equip myself."

The award ceremony, attended by the Mayor of Tshwane, the Minister of Arts, Sport, and Culture, media personalities, and the NPC-NWU 2023 Newsmaker of the Year winners, the Springboks, was a memorable experience for Makena. "The congratulations coming from renowned media personalities and the capturing of that moment were empowering and fulfilling," she shares. "I was so excited and in a state of disbelief. I had to look at the awards; then after I saw my name engraved on the trophy it sunk in, and I must admit that I was a bit emotional."

For Makena, this award holds personal and professional significance. "This, for me, means when you want to build an empire, first you need perseverance and consistency and a heart to learn," she says. "I was hungry for knowledge, and Unisa Radio and COMSA Unisa gave me an opportunity to explore the field, and now I received the return on my investment in the form of an award."

Reflecting on her journey, Makena expresses her belief that this award will impact her future in journalism positively. "I believe that, as a communicator who is still navigating her way around this profession to find her niche, I will be allowed to go as far as I can to master the art of being a broadcaster with respectable news outlets after my volunteering programme with Unisa Radio."

A platform for every member of society

Makena emphasises the importance of community journalism in today’s society. "The significance of community radio lies in its ability to empower and give voice to marginalised or underrepresented individuals," she explains. "Community radio provides a platform for residents to express their views, concerns, and aspirations. It allows communities to have control over their media, ensuring that their unique perspectives and stories are shared."

Navigating the challenges of the current media landscape, especially with the prevalence of fake news and attempts to intimidate journalists, can be daunting. Makena explains: "The advancement of technology and the advent of artificial intelligence make it hard to distinguish between misinformation (fake news) and accurate reporting. This is a challenge when doing research for a show. This requires one to be as thorough as possible with one’s research before publishing or broadcasting news on the radio."

Asked what advice she could give to aspiring journalists, especially those who are just starting their careers, Makena says: "I would like to highlight the benefits and the importance of networking and volunteering to get experience. Some of the most noteworthy benefits include stronger professional ties, access to job opportunities, gained knowledge, and polished communication and social skills, all of which are keys to growth in a resourceful career. Aspiring journalists should make use of the association that supports their career or studies as they are there to bridge the gap between theory and practice."

Antoinette Slabbert, chairperson of the NPC, said that the NPC Journalist of the Year awards recognise journalists or media organisations who capture public sentiments, fuel open democratic debate in various ways, and impact the lives of ordinary citizens through their news reports. She further said that the NPC believes this is an opportunity to recognise the quality of work, courage and commitment of journalists to ensure that the hard-earned media freedom remains intact.            

* By Seyabonga Thipe, Intern Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement