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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘No Guts, No Glory' seminar returns to inspire community journalists
A gathering that has become a staple in community journalism, the Forum of Community Journalists' (FCJ) No Guts, No Glory, No Story Seminar returns to Olifants River Lodge in September. What began in 1994 as a modest workshop at the Botshabelo Mission Station outside Middelburg has grown into a nationally recognised platform for reflection, skill-sharing and discussion among some of the country's top community journalists. The growth of this seminar, along with other recent regional FCJ seminars, has been sponsored and supported by Avbob, whose commitment to community media has helped sustain the FCJ's work over the last few years. The origin of 'No Guts, No Glory, No Story' According to Tobie van den Bergh, former FCJ director for Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the second seminar took place at Witbank Correctional Services, where Frans Aucamp, the first chairman of the FCJ, spoke passionately about investigative journalism. He emphasised that without courage, journalists cannot uncover the story, and without the story, there is no glory. Inspired by this message, the seminar became known as the No Guts seminar and has since been held nationwide under the banner No Guts, No Glory, No Story. A legacy through the lens This year's seminar will open with veteran photojournalist Wessel Oosthuizen, who will share highlights from his six decades behind the camera. His talk will set the tone for a seminar focused not just on technical skills, but on legacy and the evolving role of media in society. The evening closes with a braai on the banks of the Olifants River. Facing the future of the press Friday morning welcomes Phathiswa Magopeni, recently appointed executive director of the Press Council of South Africa. She will outline her priorities for the press in a rapidly shifting landscape. Her predecessor, Latiefa Mobara, will reflect on the challenges of ethical leadership and institutional continuity in the media sector. Capturing the moment: A masterclass on light and emotion A masterclass by acclaimed photographer Johan Orton will follow, titled Chasing the Light, a creative session set to focus on lighting and facial expression in sports journalism. Holding power to account In one of the most anticipated sessions, Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum's private prosecution unit, will address the systemic failures of South Africa's criminal justice system and the unique role of the community press in fostering accountability. Looking ahead to 2026 The seminar will conclude with former municipal mayor Mike Masina offering a political overview of the road to the 2026 local government elections, a timely topic for reporters covering governance at the grassroots level. While past seminars have taken attendees to places like Kruisrivier, Graceland, Forever Loskopdam, Forever Warmbad, Carousel and Sondela, the true value of this event has always been in the stories, skills and courage it ignites among those who attend. And this year promises to be no different. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
09-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Press pioneers to inspire at Olifants River Lodge during No Guts No Glory seminar
Press pioneers to inspire at Olifants River Lodge during No Guts No Glory seminar MIDDELBURG – A gathering that has become a staple in community journalism, the Forum of Community Journalists' (FCJ) No Guts, No Glory, No Story Seminar returns to Olifants River Lodge in September. What began in 1994 as a modest workshop at the Botshabelo Mission Station outside Middelburg has grown into a nationally recognised platform for reflection, skill-sharing and discussion among some of the country's top community journalists. The growth of this seminar, along with other recent regional FCJ seminars, has been sponsored and supported by Avbob, whose commitment to community media has helped sustain the FCJ's work over the last few years. The origin of 'No Guts, No Glory, No Story' According to Tobie van den Bergh, former FCJ director for Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the second seminar took place at Witbank Correctional Services, where Frans Aucamp, the first chairman of the FCJ, spoke passionately about investigative journalism. He emphasised that without courage, journalists cannot uncover the story, and without the story, there is no glory. Inspired by this message, the seminar became known as the No Guts seminar and has since been held nationwide under the banner No Guts, No Glory, No Story. A legacy through the lens This year's seminar will open with veteran photojournalist Wessel Oosthuizen, who will share highlights from his six decades behind the camera. His talk will set the tone for a seminar focused not just on technical skills, but on legacy and the evolving role of media in society. The evening closes with a braai on the banks of the Olifants River. Facing the future of the press Friday morning welcomes Phathiswa Magopeni, recently appointed executive director of the Press Council of South Africa. She will outline her priorities for the press in a rapidly shifting landscape. Her predecessor, Latiefa Mobara, will reflect on the challenges of ethical leadership and institutional continuity in the media sector. Capturing the moment: A masterclass on light and emotion A masterclass by acclaimed photographer Johan Orton will follow, titled Chasing the Light, a creative session set to focus on lighting and facial expression in sports journalism. Holding power to account In one of the most anticipated sessions, Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum's private prosecution unit, will address the systemic failures of South Africa's criminal justice system and the unique role of the community press in fostering accountability. Looking ahead to 2026 The seminar will conclude with former municipal mayor Mike Masina offering a political overview of the road to the 2026 local government elections, a timely topic for reporters covering governance at the grassroots level. While past seminars have taken attendees to places like Kruisrivier, Graceland, Forever Loskopdam, Forever Warmbad, Carousel and Sondela, the true value of this event has always been in the stories, skills and courage it ignites among those who attend. And this year promises to be no different.
The Citizen
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Country's largest gathering of journalists in September at Olifants
The now legendary No Guts, No Story, No Glory seminar will then be held again. The first regional seminar of the Forum for Community Journalists (FCJ) was in 1994 at the Botshabelo mission station just outside Middelburg. The first guest speaker was an election observer from the Netherlands, Jan Jansen. The second seminar was at Witbank Correctional Services, where the first chairman of the FCJ, Frans Aucamp, talked about investigative journalism. He said that if journalists do not dare, they will not get the story and neither will they get the glory. Since then, the seminar has been known as the 'No Guts' seminar and is presented nationwide under the No Guts, No Glory, No Story banner. Over the years, various interesting places have been visited, such as Kruisrivier, Graceland, Forever Loskopdam, Forever Warmbad, Carousel, and Sondela. The record number of seminar attendees was 120, with 90 attending last year at Olifants River Lodge. This year, heavyweight speakers will include Mike Masina and Gerrie Nel. The programme kicks off on Thursday evening with veteran photographer Wessel Oosthuizen, who will inspire journalists with stories about his 60 years in the industry. The evening will conclude with a braai in the beautiful Olifants River Lodge scenery. On Friday morning, the new Executive Director of the Press Council of South Africa, Phathiswa Magopeni, will be welcomed and will talk about the Press Council and community press. There will also be a farewell to the previous executive director, Latiefa Mobara, whose topic will be upholding ethics in transition. Journalists will then get their cameras out with accomplished photographer Johan Orton, who will talk about 'chasing the light'. After the journalists enjoy brunch, advocate Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum's private prosecution unit, will speak about the collapsed criminal justice system and how the community press can help. The day will conclude with the previous municipal mayor, Mike Masina, who will review the 2026 municipal election.
Irish Independent
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Olympian returns to former Wexford school as special guest
Last week, over 1000 students gathered in the school gym as awards were given out across a wide range of subjects, sports, and community activities. Teacher Justin Kelly said the event really illustrated the high level of success and talent that the students have achieved over the last year. "It was a brilliant display of the success and talent that our students from first to sixth year possess. From academics, to sport, to leaning and kindness – it really makes you proud to see all that our students achieve and are capable of!' he said. As a result, it was apt that former student, Irish rugby player and Olympian Lucy Mulhall was invited to present a number of awards. "We were delighted to welcome back past student Lucy Mulhall. Lucy was an Irish rugby sevens player, and the former captain of the Women's Irish ruby seven teams, not to mention an Irish Olympian!' Lucy announced her retirement from the sport last year following a bad hamstring injury and subsequent reinjury during their Olympic run in Paris. Taking to social media at the time, she wrote: 'Sin a bhfuil. It's been the honour of my life to play for and captain the Ireland Women's Sevens team for the past 10 years, but now it's time for me to step aside and watch my amazing team-mates and friends take this team forward and on to bigger and better things.' Two major awards on the night were named in honour of two much-loved FCJ greats. The Sr Madeliene Hayes Kindness Award went to third year Annie Kavanagh, while the Pat Connaughton Award, named after their late colleague, went to Luke Burke. The Roscommon native, a father of four, was a teacher at the FCJ School in Bunclody and an influential stalwart of the stage before his sad passing in 2013.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Nashua Loskop Marathon 50km runners in focus
Matt Handley Matthew Handley has been working as a journalist and photographer at the Middelburg Observer since December 2022. Matthew was honoured with the Alet Roux Award for Best Young Journalist by the FCJ in 2023. As a community journalist, Matthew covers a diverse variety of topics, with an unwavering adoration for Middelburg.
