The Department of Journalism welcomed two new groups of students over the past few weeks. First, the master’s students took part in a workshop week (19 to 23 January) where they engaged with their peers and potential supervisors. The MA programme convenor, Prof Gawie Botma, led the incoming class in intensive workshops on Theory and Method for their studies in Journalism, Media and Communication.  The students also received training at the Library with Faculty Librarian, Mrs Marleen Hendriksz.

The MA class of 2026 during the first workshop week at the Department of Journalism are, from left to right: Nation Nyoka, Kuhle Tshabalala, Kariena Petzer, Buhle Bam, Anke Spies, Nolwazi Xulu, VelaniLudidi, Alex Mitchley, Zolani Sinxo, Wilbard Festus and Nozuku Basson.

Just a week later (26 January) the department became home to the BAHons Journalism class of 2026. The new students started their day with introductions by the course convenor, Anneli Groenewald, and Dr Marenet Jordaan, chair of the department. As is tradition, the students shared interesting facts about themselves, pointing to a very avid running club in the making for this class. On the afternoon of their first day, the students boarded a bus with Anneli and Chantel Erfurt Manuel, their new journalism practice lecturer, to visit a variety of places in Stellenbosch and in the surrounding communities.

As they start two weeks before the rest of the Stellenbosch University students, these journalism students have a jam-packed orientation programme to equip them to quickly start working for their digital community news outlet, SMF News.

The 2026 BAHons Journalism class on their first day of classes in front of the Department of Journalism’s iconic red door at 26 Crozier Street. In the back row (from left to right): Amahle Thabethe,Emma Giles, Lené Vorster, Janco Botes, Nomnedni Ndlovu, Brigid Taylor, Kwanda Mkhonto, Yusuf Kosadia-Hassen and Dylan Lackay; middle-row: Zeta Soule, Celeste Rabie, Jade Wainright, Brittanie Hohls, Mophethi Mabeba, Krotoa Felix, BulelaSikithi and Gio Anthony; and, in the front row: Chantel Erfurt Manuel (Journalism Practice Lecturer), Ella Bosman, Nerine Pienaar, Grace Henderson, Hae-Won Boesack, Inge van der Westhuizen, Kuhle Mangana and Anneli Groenewald (BAHons Journalism programme convenor).

To properly welcome and inspire the students, Dr Jordaan made a video filled with lessons learnt and advice from the BPhil Journalism Class of 2001; the class where she herself was a student 25 years ago.