Role- Journalism Intern
My internship experience with Mamelodi Sundowns has been extremely rewarding. I got to spend eleven (11) months under the guidance of people who wanted to share their knowledge of the football industry and help me become the best version of myself which has been a valuable experience. Throughout this, I learned about different career paths I can take in the media and communications space as well as what it will take for me to get to where I want to be.
My Mentor
Being paired with a phenomenal mentor who has guided me through this educational internship has given me a broader and different perspective of where I see myself in the future. The tough love from my mentor has had a positive influence on my life and has greatly contributed to building my confidence and exploring the media industry. He took me under his wing and exposed me to a lot of crucial elements of football.
Throughout the journey, he believed in me and created a space where I felt wholly supported. Instead of being anxious about entering the workforce, I’m excited about the different things I’ll be able to do and the passionate people I’ll meet.
Media Exposure
I have gained a great amount of experience and knowledge of what being a Journalist and a Public Relations professional is like in the real world. I was able to work side by side with my mentor in my discipline and be involved in the Communications and Public Relations side as it goes back and forth from generating media releases, writing for the website, LinkedIn, the digital magazine building and updating media lists. I got to plan and organize press conferences and helped to prepare Coach Rulani for Interviews and press conferences. As I continue with my education and find my feet in the media and communications industry, I can only imagine that this experience will be something I take with me and will open new doors in my future.
My mentor took me along with him to external press conferences and I got to witness how other journalist work, how they articulate themselves, and listen to their views. Attending these events has exposed me to different media personnel such as anchors, writers, and broadcasters.
Life Changing Experiences
Attending the World Football Summit in Durban with the Chairman is a part of my highlights., as well as meeting the most influential people in the football industry. During the summit, I got to represent the club and promote the Ladies team film. Listening to Lola Ogubante (Head of Women’s Football at Burnley FC), Romaney Pinnock (Founder of FC Badgers and Dr. Mariam Mell’Osiime Mpaata discussing defeating stereotypes in women’s football made me realise that there will always be a place for me in football as a woman.
I got to sit down with Coach Steve Komphela, and it was the most grounding and insightful experience. He talked about overcoming anxiety (in football and sportsmen). Suffering from anxiety and having heard him speak on how he took control of his anxiety has had a huge impact on building my confidence and overcoming the fear of speaking out, as well as taking initiative with the panic of not being good enough.
I leave the Live Limitless Internship Program with a deep appreciation for the South African football industry and the hard work that the people at the club put into contributing to the success of the club, giving back to different communities, and always having the youth in mind. For someone unsure about going into sports because of having no football background, my journey of gathering experience and becoming a Sandawana along the way was priceless.
