Sipho January left Rhodes at the end of February this year to further his career after working as JMS School’s outreach officer for the past two years. The School caught up with him again to learn more about this JMS alumnus who graduated with a Bjourn in 2006.
Q: What will you miss about the School?
A: Cake for tea
Q: One item you would have taken with you if you were given the chance.
A: Prof Berger's drive, vision, ambition and energy, and Prof Banda’s sense of humour
Q: What would you never forget about your time at Rhodes?
A: Seeing children who participated in the School's outreach projects progress, like registering with Rhodes for a degree, joining media institutions (Soccer Laduma - Lunga Adam, SABC - Zizo Beda). Also, being nominated for the Highway Africa Awards in 2005 and winning the Media and Communication category at the 2008 TruFM awards.
Q: What was your favourite past-time when you were not at work?
A: Watching inspiring movies such as "Akeelah and the BEE" (would love to partner with the School on a similar concept as in the movie one day, when our (me and my cousin’s) own organisation is up and running.
Q: So, you were a DJ at the last Highway Africa conference, what would you say was your best gig ever?
A: For Highway Africa: - the 2003 SABC Awards cocktail evening. Other: Dj-ing at the Union sports field during 2006 Trivarsity as well as 2008 O-week street party, etc.
Q: Do you intend to study further at some point, and what would you
study?
A: An MBA is definitely on the cards followed by some research on community radio stations and how they can be further developed.
Sipho now works for the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation in Cape Town as a community liaison officer and is on his way to Kenya for training later this week.