Media volunteer platform offers practical experience

On a voluntary basis, candidates who have a media background both in traditional and new media spaces and an interest in the arts, will gain access to a formal working environment in which they will get experience in the digital media space, among other platforms.

Volunteers will form part of the company's content generation teams working on a number of national music and drama events, including Arts Alive, Jazz on the Lake, Drama for Life, MOSHITO 2011, the Wits 969 Festival, SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts and the SAMRO 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Announcing the partnership late last week, JT Communication Solution's MD, Vanessa Perumal and YIASA chief empowerment officer, Unathi Memela said they were excited about working together to make a difference to the youth in the country.

"If it works as well as we expect, it could inspire people in other sectors and become a wonderful job creation model," says Memela. "We believe this can be replicated elsewhere in the country and could make a difference in the nation's job creation efforts.

Herald a new crop of media, PR professionals

Two years ago, JT launched its media resource centre, which is a home to journalists from the country and continent. This initiative could herald a new crop of media and PR professionals.

Perumal said as a company adapting its business model to embrace the digital onslaught, the goal was to add talent to newsrooms or PR agencies operating in arts and entertainment world. "Through this initiative, we would like to ensure that volunteers become part of the solution.

"Our partnership with Youth for SA each is essentially about using the "each-one, teach-one" principle gives the youth a chance at having a crack in the world of arts through practical initiatives instead of fostering a culture of dependency," she concluded.

The first group of volunteers are: Hlumisa Mbanga; Yandisa Molebalwa; Pule Mqedlane; Unathi Memela; Lindy Nene; Eezy Raaloe; Tshidiso Lechuba; Ihsaan Haffejee; James Gezane; Donna-Lee Naidoo; Taynita Harilal; Elisa Mpofu; Sharon Mhlongo; Mfanel Ngoma; Evodia Melamu, Denise Phalatse-Vania.