Scholarship helps student, family with demands of honours studies

A student at the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus, Charma du Plessis (21), was awarded with the Burke Scholarship this year for her potential in the field of journalism.

Du Plessis applied for the scholarship at the end of 2020. This was after she was accepted into the Journalism and Media studies honours programme. 

She said receiving the scholarship has provided her with a sense of security and helped her family as well, by reducing their burden of study fees and living costs.

“It allowed my parents to pay off their house and my mom’s car,” Du Plessis said, adding that her tuition and accommodation are both paid for by the scholarship programme. She also receives a monthly allowance for essentials. 

The Burke Scholarship is a world class professional development programme dedicated to advancing democracy through the development of outstanding journalists. Every year one honours student studying journalism and media studies at the NWU’s Potchefstroom campus is selected as the Burke Scholar.

Dr Thalyta Swanepoel, head of the selection panel, said that they look for candidates with a passion for quality journalism, initiative, and critical thinking skills. The ideal candidate should also be informed and able to solve problems. The scholarship is in its fourth year and has had five applicants on average, per year. This year, however, the panel received almost double the number of applicants.

threestreamsmedia asked Swanepoel what advice she could give prospective applicants. She said getting as much practical work done in the field as possible can help you a lot. Working at a local news outlet or shadowing journalists and reading news widely will keep you informed about changes in the field. “Apply. Don’t think you are not worthy,” said Swanepoel.

Leigh Matthew Schaller, managing director of the Burke Scholarship, said that they have been fortunate to have had some great applicants, especially in the 2021 group. 

Schaller said the desire to contribute in some way to the journalists of the future inspires him. “I’m inspired every time I interact with budding journalists who are, without fail, enthusiastic and want to do their part to build a better future.”

Du Plessis was also elected as the editor-in-chief of threestreamsmedia, an independent Potchefstroom-based news website run by the journalism students at NWU, in February 2021. She said she would have never run for the position if she had not received the scholarship and that it gave her the recognition she needed to be pushed in the right direction.

When threestreamsmedia asked Du Plessis in what way the scholarship has helped her personally, she said that it gave her a confidence boost to fully pursue her dreams and passions.

Du Plessis said that she wants to reach and enrich people so that they can make informed decisions. She also wants to become known as a journalist with integrity. “My dream as a journalist is to do my part in changing the world for the better.”

Du Plessis talks about her excitement for the year ahead: