My name is Sonqoba Wandisile Kunene and until May 31st this year, I was a journalist for one of Media 24’s community publications Vaal Weekly. I also produced content for the two other community newspapers namely Sebokeng Vision and Evaton Vision. I was also on the writing team of Home Grown, Vaal’s new youth magazine. Prior to my permanent engagement as a journalist with these publications I worked as freelance feature writer for two years, from 2004 – 2006. During these two years I was exposed to professional journalism and drew a lot of knowledge from the then Vaal Weekly Editor, Makhosazana Zwane, who is now the Move! Editor. In 2007 I joined these publications on a full-time basis. I am constantly on the lookout for opportunities to improve my writing and reporting abilities and feel that this chance is my turn to get vast knowledge on a national scale. Some of the many reasons why I think I deserve this job are that I am ready for a new challenge, have simply outgrown my position as a journalist in the publications I have mentioned and that my hunger for bigger challenges drives me to work harder and persevere. I have mastered the art of professional storytelling from a call from a source to writing the actual story by reflecting accurate information. I have worked well with local authorities including local government, political parties, non-governmental organisations, schools, churches and police precincts that are located in my area. In order to expose myself to new opportunities within the media industry, I have constantly made and maintained contact not only with sources but also with other media houses as well. I am also happy to report that during October of 2009, I, Sonqoba Wandisile Kunene made history by becoming the first ever journalist in my region (Sedibeng, Vaal) to be interviewed live on international news channel CNN. CNN producers used a three-minute video I produced on the funeral of the late South African taxi boss, Mthuthuzeli “Tutu” Molefe, who was gunned down outside his home. This video was used on CNN’s iReport, where the show’s producers also interviewed me I am also proud to announce that another CNN show, Inside Africa used another segment I produced and filmed on South African traditional weddings. I also made it into the top ten of the Caxton Excellence Awards 2009 for the Most Promising Journalist Award. In 2008 and 2009, my media house awarded me the Most Reliable Journalist (MRJ) award for my consistency in factual reporting and amazing photography. Due to the fact that in my previous media house I was both the reporter and the photographer all at once, I have managed to grasp knowledge in both fields and now I can claim to be one of the best in my region. In closing, I believe that I deserve to be given a push towards the right direction, as I am the kind of person who is always willing to learn new things in a new environment. I have a lot to offer the millions of readers and viewers across the world – something I could not do in my previous role as community newspaper journalist. I need a broader readership to showcase the best I can be.