Training In praise of the little black book (or the modern equivalent thereof) Don’t be like those sad Millennials you see at some events, sitting staring at their smartphones. Use the time to cultivate contacts; work the room. Remember: you schmooze or you lose… Written by rovingreporters August 30, 2019August 30, 2019
Environment VALLEY LOW: Small-scale farmers worry they will not be compensated for “losses” Small-scale farmers on the banks of the uMsunduzi River are blaming Pietermaritzburg’s edible oil manufacturer, Willowton Oil, for potential crop failures. They are worried they will not be compensated — and some claim livestock has died as a result of the pollution. Mlu Mdletshe reports on the aftermath of the disaster. Written by Mlu Mdletshe August 28, 2019August 28, 2019
Environment Colossal collapse Featured image: Dusi Media Office Revealing photos of the catastrophic industrial spill at the Willowton Oil plant in Pietermaritzburg have surfaced from a source inside the plant responsible for one of the worst environmental disasters of its kind in South Africa. Read: Rush to save KZN’s uMsunduzi river after disastrous toxic spill Also see: Fish jump […] Written by rovingreporters August 27, 2019November 14, 2019
Environment Rush to save KZN’s uMsunduzi river after disastrous toxic spill The race is on to save the uMsunduzi River in KwaZulu-Natal after a massive, toxic spill of oil and caustic soda from Willowton Oil turned the river into a soapy mess, choking oxygen supplies to fish, plants, invertebrates and other aquatic life. FRED KOCKOTT reports First published by Daily Maverick Appointed by the Willowton Group […] Written by rovingreporters August 27, 2019November 14, 2019
Social & Justice An oasis of hope: Wild Coast school helps break cycle of violence and poverty In an impoverished community, a well-run school breaks the cycle of violence and poverty, reports Mlu Mdletshe Written by Mlu Mdletshe August 19, 2019April 9, 2020
Conservation Watch Environment Disaster fund needed to clean Duzi river spill 1,6 million litres of fatty oils and caustic soda poured out of Willowton Oil into the Msundusi River on Tuesday leaving a trail of destruction By Fred Kockott As a major KwaZulu-Natal river turned into a cauldron of dying fish this week, Willowton Oil – the company responsible for the pollution incident – has been […] Written by rovingreporters August 18, 2019May 29, 2020
Training Roller coaster! How to take your readers along for the ride You have to take the reader on a journey. There must be ups and downs and you must reach a high point. Some thoughts on narrative arcs and structuring you story . . . Written by rovingreporters August 17, 2019August 19, 2019
Training Mrs Kelly’s Monster – a must-read for feature writers Mrs Kelly’s Monster – the first Pulitzer winner for feature writing – is still relevant and amazing, so much so that Harvard’s Nieman Storyboard was still analyzing the piece 33 years after it was published. Jon Franklin wrote the piece in 1978 during his tenure as a science reporter for The Baltimore Sun. Click here to read Mrs […] Written by rovingreporters August 7, 2019April 2, 2020
Training Son of a pitch! A primer on how do get editors gushin’ rather than cussin’. Written by rovingreporters August 5, 2019August 5, 2019
Conservation Watch Environment Wild Coast learners want a cleaner environment Pupils from Ithuba Wild Coast Community College join a three kilometre clean-up walk in Mzamba to drive home a recycling message in the broader community. Mlu Mdletshe reports First published by South Coast Herald It’s like it’s invisible and there’s a fight raging to get young people to see it. We are talking about litter […] Written by Mlu Mdletshe August 5, 2019April 9, 2020