What inspired you to work for Africa Media?
I’ve always been passionate about nature and travel. As a journalist, I continuously look for ways to incorporate these interests into my career. Africa Media granted me the opportunity to do exactly that and more. It’s a media company focused on telling the story of wild Africa, educating others on how to build a career in the field of wildlife media and conservation. I wanted to become part of that journey. The members of the Africa Media team are more like family than colleagues, and they’re all driven by the same love for Africa and its wildlife.
Ashleigh de Villiers (right), Annie Post (middle) and myself (left) - the respective course instructors for Africa Media’s Wildlife & Travel Photography, Wildlife Documentary Filmmaking and Travel & Environmental Journalism programs - holding the tools of our trade.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Definitely seeing our students grow in their skills. They learn a lot in the scope of one month and it’s inspiring to see how each of them use these principles and experiences in their own unique ways. Every journalism student develops their own travel or environmental writing style, each photographer looks at a wildlife subject in a different way… And that’s what we want each student to take away from our programs: an unforgettable African experience, and skills that they are able to use for the rest of their chosen careers. What I also love is the camaraderie that automatically forms among each new group. It’s like having a new, international family for a month and then friends for life abroad once it’s over. The group chat messages from months ago are still active! All of our students are doing wonderful things with their lives, and they still continue to share their experiences with their Africa Media family.
The wildlife photography instructor, Ashleigh (far right) and I with some of our journalism and photography student. We were tracking a cheetah on foot on Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve, situated in the Great Karoo region of South Africa.
What makes Africa Media special?
Being on one of Africa Media’s programs grants you the experience of exploring Africa in all its beauty, surrounded by rich wildlife diversity and cultural exposure. All while being able to do what you love: aspiring to become the best wildlife filmmaker, photographer, journalist or underwater photographer you can possibly be. It also gives you the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world with the same interests as you.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I have an honours degree in journalism and I’ve always aimed to focus this education towards writing travel and wildlife stories. I am a writer with an interest in seeing as many places as possible and putting my experiences into words, whether through blog posts or longer articles. Though much of my previous international travels have been for leisure, I strongly believe in the value of meaningful travel, immersing yourself in different cultures and sharing your adventures so that it can inspire others. Working with Africa Media has opened my eyes to writing for the benefit of conservation and wildlife appreciation, and this is something I aim to develop even more. I am now able to apply the theoretical principles I’ve learned to the field of travel and environmental writing. Having this background knowledge and work experience in the industry, I try and teach my students the full meaning of becoming an environmental or travel journalist - from desk research, interviewing and blogging, to writing articles, editing and pitching a story to a magazine. Even being an instructor in this field is a never-ending learning process and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
The most important research method in journalism is conducting interviews. Here, I am interviewing Shane Petzer, curator of the Magpie art gallery in the small town of Barrydale on Route 62.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
The hours are long and sometimes intense, as is the case for anyone working in the media industry. This is especially true if you’re working on a big story that requires lots of interviews, research, or more than one photography trip. Being a wildlife storyteller requires a lot of travelling (this isn’t always as glamorous as it sounds) to get to the places and subjects you need. During these times, I have to keep my students motivated to finish the task with the same drive and inspiration they had when starting the story. I accompany our students on each trip and expedition, so I provide support and advice with every step of the way - which becomes increasingly less necessary as they develop their own skills. Each time, it’s not difficult to remember why you need to finish your task to the best of your capability: the type of work we do has power. Our stories, photographs and films can inform and educate people about nature, and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
For one of our wildlife stories, published by Caters News, we visited Indalu Game Reserve in the Garden Route to meet the ostrich who has established herself in the elephant family on the reserve. Here, the owner of Indalu, Gerhard, introduces me to the ostrich, Francina. She also loves cuddles!
If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself as a young professional, what would it be?
Gain as much industry experience as possible. If someone is looking for a photography assistant in your home town, volunteer. If you have an opportunity to visit a game reserve and learn more about wildlife, use it. If you’re a writer, keep on writing about the subjects you’re passionate about - even if publication editors aren’t immediately interested in the first few. Become an authority. Research constantly, keep yourself informed on the newest developments in your industry. There are endless ways to develop yourself in your chosen profession: universities, technical schools, short courses, apprenticeships, online courses, freelance jobs, volunteer work… Never underestimate the power of knowledge and experience.
Why should someone choose Africa Media over competitors?
We offer a full-package experience: we don’t just show students how to write, photograph or film. We take them on industry-related expeditions to put those skills into practice. We have a focused teaching system which we use to develop each individual according to what they need - no matter your level of experience. We’ve got partnerships with various game reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa where we encounter all types of African wildlife, and we visit many scenic locations in the Garden Route and Great Karoo regions (as well as in Mozambique, for our underwater photography and video programs). We show our students what life is like as a wildlife photographer or filmmaker, or environmental/travel journalist. They essentially form part of a wildlife media production team for a month.
What hopes do you have for the future of Africa Media?
Africa Media will continue to inspire people of all ages to believe in the value of travel, wildlife appreciation and the media as a means for making a difference. Our programs are continuously developing and changing according to worldwide media trends to help its students to achieve their career goals. Africa Media aims to keep growing as a renowned training academy for wildlife and conservation media practitioners all over the world. If you’re interested in telling the story of the wild, Africa is the place to start.
