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BUA Vol 8 Issue 2_April_Monday

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TUT ALUMNI’S SHINES<br />

AT GAUTENG WOMEN IN<br />

Sports Awards<br />

By Excel Fongoma<br />

This year's "Best Sport Journalists of the Year" award at the<br />

Gauteng Women in Sports Awards held special significance for<br />

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) graduate Kelebogile<br />

Chokoe. It marked her second consecutive win in this category, having<br />

also received the "Best Journalist of the Year" award in 2023. Joining<br />

her fellow alumnus, Obedience Mkhabela, both from TUT's Department<br />

of Journalism, they were recognised for their outstanding contributions<br />

to sports journalism. The ceremony took place on Saturday, March 2nd,<br />

2024, at the Kyalami Country Club in Midrand.<br />

Kelebogile Chokoe expressed a mix of emotions upon winning the<br />

award, stating, "I honestly don't know how I feel. I guess I'm happy,<br />

overwhelmed, and still in disbelief. I didn't think I'd be a provincial<br />

winner. But I'm happy I won." This quote highlights the range of<br />

emotions she experienced, including joy, surprise, and a sense of<br />

accomplishment.<br />

TUT LAW STUDENT MAKES A<br />

DIFFERENCE ON<br />

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY<br />

By Excel Fongoma<br />

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Law student Ponego<br />

Chadi is not just passionate about human rights, he is taking<br />

action to make a difference. This Human Rights Day, Ponego<br />

went beyond celebrating the day and embarked on a mission to<br />

directly help those in need.<br />

Witnessing the struggles of homeless people in Nelspruit daily moved<br />

Ponego to act. "Every time I go to school or the shops, I see people<br />

experiencing homelessness sleeping on the streets," he shared. "It<br />

truly saddened me to see them hungry and without necessities."<br />

Driven by compassion, Ponego decided to distribute bread and milk to<br />

those in need.<br />

"On Human Rights Day, I wanted to make<br />

a real difference, I would save some<br />

money beforehand, and I asked a friend<br />

to help me distribute the food."<br />

Ponego's act of kindness serves as a powerful reminder of the<br />

importance of human rights in action. His story is an inspiration to all<br />

TUT students, demonstrating the impact that even small gestures can<br />

have.<br />

Looking ahead, Ponego aspires to create a lasting impact. "My goal is<br />

to establish a Foundation focused on helping disadvantaged families,<br />

homeless individuals, sick children, and orphanages," he revealed.<br />

TUT applauds Ponego’s initiative and encourages all students to<br />

embrace the spirit of human rights by getting involved in their<br />

communities and making a positive change in the world.<br />

Obidience Mkhabela and Kelebogile Chokoe TUT Alumni<br />

"Currently, I work in local community newspaper," Kelebogile Chokoe<br />

shared, "but my aspirations lie in the mainstream media or even running<br />

my own media venture someday." This estimation reflects her ambition<br />

and desire to progress from local community media to a broader<br />

audience or even entrepreneurial endeavours in the media landscape.<br />

Obedience Mkhabela's childhood was a kaleidoscope of aspirations,<br />

from culinary creations as a chef to taking flight as a pilot, and even<br />

upholding justice as a soldier or police officer. However, it was her<br />

father's dream that sparked a passion for journalism, particularly<br />

inspired by the late Vuyo Mbuli. Guided by this inspiration, Obedience<br />

chose journalism as her path and found the perfect partner in her<br />

academic journey - Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The<br />

university, she says, "equipped me for the future" by providing a solid<br />

foundation in journalism fundamentals. This laid the groundwork for<br />

his success, culminating in his current status as an award-recognised<br />

journalist.<br />

Obedience also holds the distinction of being part of the first cohort of<br />

students to intern at Caxton in 2019 through the collaborative program<br />

between the university and the media house. Expressing her gratitude to<br />

the award organizers, Obedience aspires to use her achievements as a<br />

source of inspiration for young people seeking a career in journalism.<br />

Ponego Chadi Law sudent at TUT Mbombela Campus<br />

<strong>BUA</strong><br />

page<br />

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