A worker by night-A student by day… The 19th of November saw the celebration of a remarkable woman, a wife, a mother, a friend, more and above a church leader. Born to a single mother, Baleseng Ruth Matswakeletse celebrated her achievements, after successful completing her Boc Sc degree at Free State University. Quoting from one of Charles Dickens’ book, a Tale of two cities, Zonela Mkhumbeni, the programme director of the day, described Matswakeletse’s achievements saying “it was the best of time-it was the worst of time…” in a nut shell. Speaker after speaker, they all described what tuff times Matswakeletse went through to get her degree. Standing in front of the masses that came to celebrate, Menky, Matswakeletse’s daughter said “it was unusual for us at first; we were all used to having her at home and to help us with school stuff”. Menky said they had to learn to be independent and had to do things all on their own. What she has taken out of her mother’s ordeal is that “I had learnt a lot from mama” in over whelming tears of joy. Free State provincial sport, arts and culture director, Vincent Khetha was the main speaker at the celebration, who said he was honoured to be afforded an opportunity to convey a message of support to Matswakeletse’s achievement. “We know very well Mrs Matswakeletse’s academic struggles and the route she travelled. We have heard her talking to us about Criminology and Sociology exams and analyses of different theories. We have heard her turning down our invitation at our house saying she is preparing to a test” this was in Khetha’s opening remarks. He said these days things are changing, change itself is changing and the question today is what an individual is doing with the changing environment. He went on and said “Just like Mrs Matswakeletse, you have limitless abilities to achieve whatever you want in life”. Khetha referred Matswakeletse as a good dreamer just like Joseph in Genesis 37, “today we are celebrating the manifestation of a good dream” as he added on. He encouraged everyone to keep on dreaming, irrespective of what people say. In a strong nice and slow manly voice, Khetha said “Your background is less important to determine your destiny; your past should not remind you that you can’t be anything in life”. As the people cupped hands, the Director mentioned “Most of you may be aware of the fact that Mrs Matswakeletse comes from a background which is not that glossy but she managed to breakthrough irrespective of unfavourable circumstances”. When asked what role he had played as a husband, Pastor George Matswakeletse proudly said “I inspired her”. However, Pastor Matswakeletse said they had being orphans for more than five years, “her presence was not felt, as she was at work at night or on campus during the day, even if she was at home she had to study”. On the 14th of September when she graduated, the Pastor said he felt relived and “finally we got our person back”. The lady celebrated on the day, she said it was never easy to get her degree. She had to work night shifts and during the day she had to attend classes. “I had to fight to get where I am now, at first I wanted to study nursing but all did not go my way and I fought my way through” she said as a tear drop roll down. Come 2012 Matswakeletse plans to register for her honours degree.

Power Reporting 2011. The African Investigative Journalism Conference. In his opening words, Prof. Tawana Kupe, the dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand said “the true defenders of democracy are journalists, in this case investigative journalists”. Kupe describe the past Power Reporting Conferences as a platform where young journalists equip themselves with new skills. “This is the place where you journalists can network among yourselves, so feel free to make new friends” added Kupe in a slow and sugary voice. This year Wits ship-in speakers as far as China, US and UK, making it more than an African conference. Closer to home they had speakers from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Nairobi. Amongst the heavy weights it was The New York Times’ investigative reporter, Ron Nixon. Ron, as they call him, has taught investigative techniques and computer-assisted reporting to journalist across the world. The award winning journalist and special correspondent, Felicity Lawrence, had delivered a presentation on food in Africa. On the African side, it was Nigerian journalist, Eric Mwamba, whom is famous for investigating the trafficking of young footballers in his home country. For all the South African delegates, it was not difficult to miss The Sunday Times’ Mzilikazi wa Afrika. He has uncovered and exposed a number of dodgy deals and corrupt politicians including the government’s controversial arms deal story that landed former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni in jail. What was on every speaker’s lips was “follow the money-follow the money”. They had advised journalist to investigate who is getting the money, where the money comes from, amongst other things. Topics that were tackled arranged from climate change, mapping news, business and finance, lobbying for oil, China in Africa, the state vs investigative journalism, to mention a hand full. Young and upcoming future journalists from various universities in South Africa gain more inside from the masters themselves. Representing the University of the Free State was Teboho Ntsepe, Irawa’s cartoonist, top student More Tshidiso and Kovsie FM senior journalist Zonela Mkhumbeni. The three were awarded a fully paid bursary from Wits. At the end every signal delegate was awarded with a certificate of attendance. Ending this years’ Power Reporting Conference, was Sunday Times editor, Ray Hartley, who spoke about the ongoing battle between the state and investigative journalism. When asked who is winning, Hartley proudly said “we are!”