The Sunday News
Loveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
Getting a first class degree in the field of journalism and media studies has proved difficult in the past few years. The general pass that most graduates at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) have managed to obtain in the Faculty of Communication and Information Science has been the upper-second class degree grade. Last year, however, Farai Aubrey Kwesha, not only got a first class degree but also scooped six awards.
Born in 10 July 1993 in Bulawayo and being the second born in a family of four children, Farai is a proud former presenter at ZBC’s Star Kids and Young, Gifted and Talented (YGT) television shows. He entered the television scene at the tender age of 14.
Even though at the time he aspired to be a lawyer, he was destined to be a media practitioner.
“Funny enough I didn’t choose journalism; my parents did. I wanted to be a lawyer, but given my history as a presenter and my affinity for communication, I suppose my parents felt I had an aptitude for it. I later on realised they were right, and journalism is something I came to appreciate more and more as I progressed with my studies at Nust. It’s an intriguing profession,” he said.
More so, Farai believes the journalism profession complements his character and capability as he has always thrived in interactive environments, which is what journalism is all about.
“Journalism gives one a chance to meet people, learn about their experiences and establish a human connection with them. That’s what I love the most,” he said.
The top graduate won the Nust Book Prize, The Vice Chancellor’s Award, The Zimpapers Award for the Best Graduating Journalism Student, the Zimbabwe Media Commission Award for the Best Graduating Student, The Mighty Movies Award for the Best Graduating Broadcaster in theDepartment, and the Zoe Manufacturer’s prize for the Best Male Graduating Student in the Faculty of Communication and Information Science.
He described the winning process as a surprise as he did not see himself graduating with a first class degree after the general assumption that it’s impossible to graduate with one at Nust.
He said: “Firstly, it feels gratifying to finally graduate. Graduating with a first class degree is just a nice little touch on top of that. I didn’t expect to graduate with one. The general assumption has always been that it’s impossible to graduate with a first class degree in Journalism at Nust. So I’d made my peace with at least graduating with an upper-second class degree. So, obtaining one was definitely a welcome surprise.”
Farai added that the journalism profession requires a person with a strong will and dedication, as it is one of the challenging departments.
“It’s more challenging in a very competitive sense, and as long as you’re up for that challenge, you should be fine. Honestly, that’s what I can say helped me get the grades I did. You need a little bit of an ego to drive you forward. Have standards for yourself that you have to meet,” he said.
Not only has he set an example for undergraduate students in the same faculty at Nust, he has also paved a way for his career path.
Currently, he is working at one of Zimbabwe’s top advertising and marketing agencies. He said at the moment he has no plans for the future but is trying to challenge himself and also surprise himself in the process.
Mr Clayton Moyo, one of the lecturers in the department said: “Farai was quite outstanding right from his first year. His first radio presentation in my class was exceptional and from then on there was no doubt he had chosen the right programme. His work ethic is also incredible; he would not struggle with deadlines. Students are rarely all-rounders in the media field but Farai is an excellent radio and television broadcaster much as he is an impressive print writer.”
His parents said Farai has been receiving awards since primary school.
Mrs Helen Kwesha said: “the first class degree and six awards left me speechless. It still hasn’t sunk in. I feel we owe it all to God Almighty and I keep pinching myself as I continuously thank God.
Mr Ephraim Choto said: “Farai has always been meticulous on every task assigned to him. His comprehension and subsequent execution of instructions has always been excellent, although he tended to be temperamental sometimes. While I expected Farai to pass well and would have been disappointed if he failed, I didn’t expect an achievement of this magnitude. I am, therefore, not even able to measure or explain how I felt and still feel today. I fervently hope that this achievement marks the beginning of greater things for him and the society at large.”
His best friend and classmate, Bathabile Dlamini, whom they together founded Student Runet, an online news network said she believes Farai’s personality and ability to relate with everyone, brought them closer as friends.
Farai went to Alfred Beit and Henry Low Primary schools. He then did his secondary level at Ellis Robins School and later Tynwald High School in Harare. He says he is not a devout Christian, but proudly identifies himself as one.
The young achiever loves reading, watching movies, but most of all, talking and arguing about philosophical things and ideas about the world and life.
He advised undergraduates who are following in his footsteps to keep their eyes on the prize and focus on what they want to get out of their time at school and work on it.
Among his role models, he mentioned the lecturers in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, and one of his best friends, Bathabile Dlamini.“I find her extremely inspiring. She’s a go-getter,” he said.
