Interview with the intelligent SABC journo, Bulelani Phillip

Radio is probably the least medium to be affected by blogging and social media because it is immediate, says SABC journalist Bulelani Phillip.

The 30 year old journalist also added “I took a chance in journalism (as) I’ve always been a radio junkie. The passion grew stronger as I had to make a choice (as to) what I would do after matric and the rest is history.” 

 He further expresses “I knew I wanted to be in the media and radio in particular. Journalism gives you a very strong academic background unlike the other one year certificates you get from colleges.”

He was born and completed his High School in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape before pursuing his Journalism studies in Cape Town. Phillip obtained his journalism diploma in 2003 and completed his BTECH in 2004 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He was fortunate enough to slot into local government reporting early on in his career. This is something he still does today. Says Phillip. 

He is very passionate about his job and states “Journalism is a profession in transition just like the rest of society. I think the challenges such as juniorisation of newsrooms, racial stereotyping in the media and accuracy of information are all well documented. The real challenge is to implement solutions.”

As with any career there will be shortfalls and not so glorious moments, Bulelani experienced a moment quite early in his career that he says no journalist should experience. He had published an article about a man who invented a water saving device during the period of water restriction in Cape Town about five years ago.  Many people who tried it found that it caused more damage to their water pipes than saving water. There was an outcry from some members of the public. “I had to write a corrective piece to warn those people who still wanted to enroll the services of the man who invested in the device. A lesson was learnt in the process. No journalist ever wants to write a correction in their career.”  Phillip further exclaimed.

According to Phillip journalists have a lifetime to build and master their craft in journalism. This is an ever changing and growing industry in which many good journalists stick it out for a lifetime. There are some who leave the industry midway to make money in communication and public relations. The latter is a growing trend and challenge to the journalism industry.

The ambitious journalist says in the next decade he sees himself accomplish one of two things.  His own Communications Company or present his own radio talk show.  He further goes on to add “The sky is the limit. If you believe in it, then do it.”