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Cameroonian KAS Scholar writes about experience at South African newspaper Mail & Guardian

Amindeh Blaise Atabong is a Cameroonian print and multimedia freelance journalist who’s currently studying for a MA in International Journalism in Johannesburg as a KAS Media Fellow.

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Amindeh Blaise Atabong

Working remotely on the Africa desk of the Mail & Guardian, and participating in the weekly production of The Continent – the first African newspaper specifically designed for social media circulation – has been a wonderful experience.

The collaboration has also been exciting – exchanging ideas with fellow reporters as well as Simon Allison, one of the simplest and understanding editors any freelancer will dream of working with. When it is Monday morning, we are sure of getting a kind reminder from Simon of our weekly online editorial meeting to plan for the week.

I have also had to live the experience of a sort of paradigm shift in journalism. Sitting in my small room, I have been able to narrate the ordeal of Africans in distress away from home, the unseriousness of some African governments in the face of the coronavirus, the upcoming contentious elections in Burundi, amongst others.

When this is all over, I will always remember my routine of shuttling from my single bed to my kitchen space for food and drinks and then to my writing desk, day in, day out.

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