By Vida Lashgari
Mfundo Msimango, a Penn State student from South Africa, was recently named the HBCU-Africa Correspondents Corps secretary and has devoted himself to creating new opportunities for other students.
HBCU-ACC is an organization that encourages students interested in journalism and political science to divulge in professional development opportunities in international and political fields.
“I first heard about the program from the director of African Studies,” Msimango, a Ph.D. student studying applied linguistics and African studies, said. “In a way, it aligned with my research interests.”
He said he applied after noticing many shared alignments in his studies and a possibility to connect with a community.
“I think for me, it’s just a great opportunity to engage with African people (who provide) a different perspective,” Msimango said. “Through this program, I am able to meet high-profile people and engage with different issues that affect them.”
As secretary, he’s responsible for coordinating meetings, inviting outside guests and mediating between professors and students.
Msimango said he has many hopes for students involved in the program, as well as reaching his own goals.
“The program provides authentic experience to students, (so) I am hoping that they learn the basics of journalism and learn to expand (their) network,” Msimango said.
Despite barriers he faces as an African student, Msimango said he’s determined to provide a positive learning environment as secretary and expand possibilities for African students.
Faith Awotho and Akofa Bruce are also members of the program who have closely watched Msimango grow into his role as secretary.
Awotho and Bruce are both graduate students at Howard University and serve as vice president and president of the organization, respectively.
“Having someone who is such an inspiration to me just in terms of being professional and very charming was really exciting to me,” Awotho said.
She said that their shared unfamiliarity in journalism allowed them to grow together and improve communication.
“None of us were introduced to each other before this program, and because we are students who are spread out all over the world, all of our communication has been online,” Bruce said. “Despite those challenges, I have found Mfundo to be such a diligent person.”
Bruce said that Msimango takes initiative and is disciplined on following up with guest workers.
Both officers said that Msimango has dived into his goals and aspirations for the program.
“(Msimango) is just very involved in this program and wants to have a very strong end result,” Bruce said.
Bruce and Awotho said the program is a very diverse environment with students all around the globe and different educational backgrounds coming together.
“It’s been interesting to see where we differ and where we are similar when deciding what information is relevant to us, and that’s where Mfundo’s perspective comes in, (due to) his interest in applied linguistics.” Awotho said.
They both encourage students to join the program and realize the impact of their work, with Awotho adding that the program allows a space to “cultivate that intentionality” and encourages students to seek the truth despite what’s depicted in western media.
“(HBCU-ACC) is connecting us to people in the industry that we wouldn’t necessarily have access to,” Awotho said. “Africa is often a very misunderstood continent, and I think it’s very important that we be international when we approach (media).”