Volume 52 Issue 7 - July 2014 : Social

I have always told myself that borders would not limit my vision. To live up to this, came after I took my first step up the ladder of success. I am currently doing my third year Public Relations Management (National Diploma) at Vaal University of Technology, South Africa. I served as a Public and Media Relations Intern for an advertising agency in the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland.

When I broke the news to my colleagues that I was leaving for Swaziland as an intern, some said I was crazy but I said “I would be crazy not to take such a break.”  Little did I know that greater things lay ahead! The bulk of my work was mainly towards the newly launched King Mswati III International Airport. Many believed I would not succeed as I had no idea of the history of the project, let alone being familiar with the country, people, culture, language and lifestyle. I bluntly ignored the negativity. Instead, I used it as motivation throughout the intership. 

As an advertising agency, we liaised with high profile people in the likes of  principal secretaries of various ministries, ministers of different ministries as well as editors and journalists of different media houses in Swaziland, regionally and internationally besides production houses to mention a few. 

At that point, I felt like my world was tumbling down on me. I gathered my courage and told myself that I would do myself, family, employee, school and everyone around me proud. I was faced with a variety of responsibilities, ranging from conceptualising the public relations strategy, conducting a media or communication audit dated from June 2013 to April 2014 about anything related to the airport. My brief also included inviting international musicians specifically from Botswana which in this case was Ntirelang Berman. I did casting for hosts and hostesses, proof reading the upcoming historic Launch Edition 2014 and website as well as ensuring that all the public relations related matters` ducks are in their rows. 

Staying in a different country had its own challenges; it was not easy to say I was blending in well. I kept missing home, after all there is no place that is better than home. The weather wasn`t easy to adapt to, the commuting to work as well as other factors to my needs and wants of life. But for the love of the job, all that became a part of my life. The most tragic day was the accident on the Malagwane Road that took lives of at least five souls and burnt about 21 cars on the spot, but with the grace of God I survived such catastrophe. 

Breaking through was difficult as I was from a different country, young, inexperienced and still a scholar. Like they say “dynamites come in small packages”, I have lived to prove that it is true, and I was more than what the cover entailed.  I learnt to deal with different clients, work for an agency, writing newspaper articles, amongst others. In a few words, an eye opening experience; dream comes true for me.

Having to testify to my life, I would not have reached this point of my life without the support of  my parents Mr & Mrs Aabobe, siblings, daughter Sebaga, nephew, family at large, my friends, mentor Mrs Mpho Ralengole, school programmes, the Mavhunga`s my Swaziland family  and  the agency that invested in my future. This has been a remarkable journey for me, and forward I shall go, no turning back is my motto. I would love nothing but to another step up the ladder. ENDS

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