12/06/2026
The BA Hons Journalism class of 2026 kicked off in Braamfontein at the Constitution Hill situated in the heart of Johannesburg. Constitution Hill stands as a powerful symbol of South Africa’s journey from colonialism and apartheid to democracy and human rights. Once a place where South Africa’s leading political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, were detained, the site has since been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy.
The class moved through Number Four, the original Native Jail built between 1902 and 1904. The conditions were jarring. By 1953 Number Four was built for 979 prisoners, holding 2207 Cells designed for 30, which held up to 60. White prisoners in the Old Fort, by contrast, were housed in smaller individual cells, separated by design, not coincidence. Through voices, sounds, and images, the living museum allows visitors to see the apartheid system through the eyes of a black prisoner. Bricks from demolished portions of the Old Fort were later used in the construction of the Constitutional Court’s inner walls, and the same ground that once housed oppression now protects the rights of every South African.
From there, the class made their way to Sandton, to CNBC Africa headquarters. CNBC Africa is a pan-African business and financial news network, broadcasting 24/7 to decision-makers, investors, and policymakers across the continent. Inside the newsroom, the class saw editorial decisions being made in real time, tight turnarounds, multi-platform output, a continent watching.
Stay tuned to see what Day 2 brought.
