“There is joy when your students do well and they come up with ideas that are more innovative and interesting,” says Dr Henri-Count Evans, a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Eswatini. He finds fulfilment in creating lively, interactive learning environments and guiding the next generation of media professionals through courses in online journalism, data journalism, and mass communication theory.
Though hesitant to claim the label of “strict,” Dr. Evans considers himself principled. He values adherence to regulations and deadlines but remains flexible when necessary. “I try to live life as normal as I can without the pressures of our very cultic and never-ending extractive kind of job we do as academics – balancing discipline with an easy-going approach,” he explains.
Born and raised in Mberengwa, a district in the Midlands of Zimbabwe, Dr Evans completed his primary and secondary education there before pursuing his undergraduate degree at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. After obtaining his Master’s and PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, he moved to Eswatini to take on his current position in UNESWA’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
While teaching his course on online journalism he has been forced to think more about teaching and building a lab that speaks to the newsroom of the future, even though such newsroom doesn’t have sound financial backing, “That’s why I’ve engaged very seriously in the scholarship on building sustainable digital transformations of the future for the African continent,” Dr Evans says. He further explains that his second research area is in digital transformation of journalism practice and business models.
His third research interest, the political economy of social media, has culminated in an upcoming book titled Digital and Social Media in Africa, which addresses internet shutdowns, social media materiality, and the broader implications of digital platforms across the continent.
Currently, Dr Evans is running a hackathon (until October 18) to build computational tools for media studies scholars in collaboration with Code for Science and Society and the Digital Humanities Association of Southern Africa. He is also teaching a hybrid data journalism course designed to enhance the skills of working journalists in Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho.
Regarding journalism education in Africa, Dr. Evans identifies three major challenges: the disconnect between industry advancements and academic curricula, limited resources for teaching and technological literacy and insufficient collaboration with the media industry. “Most journalism programmes on the continent are lagging behind the industry by over 10 years,” he asserts. Adding that education systems based on solid theoretical foundations struggle to adapt quickly to new trends, which renders some content irrelevant to students in light of contemporary newsroom expectations.
To address these issues, Dr. Evans suggests involving industry professionals in curriculum reviews could help institutions “produce people that are fit for purpose.” He also underscores the importance of technological tools and knowledge as crucial resources that enable students to apply what they learn to real-world practices. “At this moment, our teaching has to pivot, move and break away from what we used to do and start doing things that are new and different.”
According to Dr. Evans, a good journalist must embrace systems thinking, connect the dots, ask relevant questions and be versatile in their thinking approaches. “Thinking is the most critical resource,” he states. While technical skills are important, they must be complemented by critical thinking and applying those skills meaningfully. “Having data without the ability to ask the right questions is unhelpful” he observes.
The most memorable advice Dr Evans has ever received was from his MA supervisor. He urged him to prioritise his well-being and that of his loved ones. Although he doesn’t view his life as perfectly balanced, he reflects, “I know I should lead my life in a way that accommodates those around me, those who matter.”
When he’s not lecturing or writing academic papers and books, Dr. Evans enjoys coding and app development as a way to unwind. He also has a passion for farming, “I always find peace and joy when I’m in the fields and weeding and producing food that people are going to eat.” Although disheartened by the limitations of making it a reality, hopes for a superpower that would ensure everyone has access to food.
When asked about having dinner with three people, Dr. Evans responds thoughtfully. “I don’t have specific names in mind, I’m inspired by people who work every day to change other people’s lives, to make them better,” he shares. While he notes the impact of well-known figures, he prefers the stories of ordinary individuals making remarkable contributions to their communities. “I’m inspired by stories that are told by people that live life every day, no matter how difficult it is, and I always want to hear them and learn from them and be inspired,” he concludes.
This article was originally published by By Kemiso Wessie in the Ajen Newsletter