My first column as the Online Editor of IRAWA has finally entered the World Wide Web zone, as IRAWA invades the news media fray for a much broader readership. Welcome to the official website of the official student newspaper of the University of the Free State. As this is my first column on this website, I shall use it as an introductory platform to swank IRAWAs groundbreaking success. I have been privileged enough to witness the IRAWA go through various transformations to become what it is now, and with the launch of this website I feel deeply honoured to have been part of such a great accomplishment in student media. IRAWA has flourished to become one of the leading student newspapers in South Africa, and also puts most provincial publications to shame as we have expressed much higher levels of qualitative journalism within a restricted readership; mainly the Kovsie community. We haven’t only transformed in terms of our brilliant reporting abilities, but more astonishing the IRAWA staffs an assortment of students who happen to come from different racial and cultural backgrounds. These ordinary students work hard in unison to produce this wonderful newspaper for Kovsies. The latter simply classifies IRAWA as a distinct leader in this university’s transformation agenda. There has been a misconception of IRAWA accommodating media or journalism students only. However, it is quite surprising that we happen to boast an array of students who happen to not be studying journalism or in any related media field. The newspaper has relied on these individuals who possess first-class writing skills, contrasting their academic field; which goes on to show that one cannot only be limited to a specific area of expertise. As the Online Editor of IRAWA, I hereby would like to use this platform to invite students to come explore their talent as writers. Come on board and flourish with the most integrated entity on Kovsie.
As we at the newspaper have managed to transform internally, it is my belief that the ink that sinks to dry on our paper shall someday win the transformation battle for all Kovsies through brilliant reporting. The University of the Free State has endured negative publicity globally, and it’s up to us to alter the world’s perception of us. I personally appreciate our vice-chancellor and Rector, Professor Jonathan Jansen’s efforts to try fast track transformation at our institution. Jansen’s eagerness to transform our university has somehow led him to make some hasty decisions, which in essence required the various stakeholders be consulted first. Dropping the charges against the Reitz-4 also doesn’t serve to somehow rehabilitate their ill-mentality. Although I do agree that we should forgive the boys and leave the past where it belongs; I also believe they should walk the plank, as a result of their behaviour within a thriving democracy. Our ship really needs to sail on.
Getting back to the IRAWA, I believe we have indeed earned our bragging rights, and we will always be in pursuit of attaining dominance in student journalism. We are well aligned with this university’s transformation initiatives and we will continue to serve as the voice of reason in a pool of misunderstanding.
Mpho Sekharume
IRAWA Online Editor |