FAQ's

You don’t need any experience or academic qualifications in journalism. A basic understanding on how to use a computer and the internet is preferable. The course is best suited to those that have an interest in further exploring careers such as environmental journalism or  travel/feature writing. However, anyone who wants to improve their writing skills whilst traveling around the Garden Route will enjoy the course.

Your home for the duration of the course will be the beautiful town of Mossel Bay, nestled below the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, located 400 kilometres east of Cape Town and 400 km south-west of Port Elizabeth along South Africa’s southern coast. Mossel Bay has been dubbed as having the 2nd best climate in the world (temperate) and is bordered by the Indian Ocean.

One or two months.

The programs runs monthly from the 1st to the 28th. Arrival and departure dates are on the 1st and 28th of the month. If you require to arrive earlier or depart later than these dates, you will be asked a R400/day fee for food and accommodation.

Travel arrangements must be made from your home town to George Airport, Western Cape, South Africa.

Included:

• Your transfer from the airport to Africa Media when you arrive (please refer to information on “Arrival dates and arrangements”)
• Your transfer from Africa Media to the airport when you leave (please refer to information on “Arrival dates and arrangements”)
• Food for your entire stay
• Lodging (the rooms will be shared with up to three other students of the same sex)
• All practical and theoretical training
• Internet (South Africa’s internet is considerably slower than developed world)
• All project transport to location sites
• The use of limited equipment, including the following, if required:
  • Prosumer type stills camera
  • Voice recorders

Excluded/optional add-ons:

• Laptop computer (please bring personal one)
• Laundry service
• Tourism excursions
• Extra food and beverages
• Flights to and from George airport

Depending on your habits and lifestyle, we usually suggest adding to your monthly budget between 4,000 and 6,000 South African Rand for souvenirs, excursions, entertainment and other personal daily needs. If you want to do a SCUBA course, you should add a further R6000.

Due to the number of applications received and limited places, we unfortunately cannot accept all applying interns. Therefore, we do not welcome cancellations or date changes after the final confirmation and deposit has been paid.

We request that a non-refundable USD750 deposit is paid within a week of booking into the program as confirmation (foreign and local bank fees are for your own account). The remaining fee must be paid in full 21 days prior to your arrival in South Africa. Please send proof of payment to ryan@africa-media.org.

In case of cancellation, we will attempt to move you to a preferred month that you are able to attend. However, we cannot offer refunds on deposits.

Pick-ups and drop-offs from George Airport will be organised for the 1st and 28th of the month.  Interns arriving or leaving outside this time will be required to pay a R500 transfer fee for special arrangements of their transfers. Domestic flights within South Africa can be arranged with one of the following companies: www.kulula.com, www.1time.aero, www.flysaa.com.

Clothing

• Daily clothes. Bring what you are comfortable in, but ensure that you have warm clothing of neutral colours or navy blue, solid work shoes such as hiking boots or trainers, a good sun hat with a wide brim and a warm hat/beanie. Gloves can be helpful for early mornings. Bring a tracksuit or something similar to lounge around in during the evenings, which can get cold.
• Social clothes. Mossel Bay is a small town, so social clothing should reflect a casual, non-formal style.
• A swimming costume.

 Electronic gear

• DSLR or MIRRORLESS Camera.
• Minimum of 1TB storage hard drive.
• Laptop.
• Phone or something to record voice notes.

Miscellaneous 

• Toiletries &  strong sunscreen (there are also plenty of shops to purchase from).
• Prescription medication.
• Passport & photocopy of passport.
• Bank cards (inform your bank of your travels).
• Spare cash.
• Phone & cables.
• Sunglasses.
• Africa Media address – 182 Aalwyn Way, Aalwyndal, Mossel Bay.

Yes. We require that you purchase travel and medical insurance before partaking in this course. Africa Media and its partners cannot take on any liability due to loss of equipment, assets, injury or medial issues.

For most nationalities, should you be in South Africa for 90 days or less, you will be issued with a tourist visa upon entering the country. However, as a few nationalities (New Zealand, India, China) require tourism visas in advance, we strongly recommend that you contact the South African Embassy closest to you to confirm tourism visa requirements as soon as possible. Should your stay (total time in South Africa) be longer than three months, you will have to apply for a volunteer visa from your home country.

No, we are far from malaria areas, and there are no strange African diseases which you could pick up (that is if you respect the same safety rules as anywhere else in the world).

Yes, the program runs for weekdays only. On the weekends you will be able to take part in activities/tours organised by our tourism partner, Discovery, or relax.

Further information about our company and work is available on the Africa Media website. You can also email us at info@africa-media.org