The Midweek Sun journo Keletso Thobega has been selected as a recipient of the International News Media Association (INMA)/Google News Initiative Elevate Scholarship programme, the only journalist from Botswana and one of four from southern Africa.

About 50 media professionals from 31 countries will receive professional development opportunities during the next year. The 50 were selected from a vigorous process that saw 432 applications submitted and the final were through a screening process and were selected over three months.

As the world of media and news transitions, the INMA & Google News programme aims to strengthen the news business by equipping new faces and voices with strong media industry fundamentals, as well as networking and mentoring opportunities.

Furthermore, the scholarship elevates historically underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in early to mid-career positions. Such groups include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, access to higher education, immigration, disabilities, and more.

CEO of INMA, Earl Wilkinson noted that the inclusion of underrepresented professionals in the news media industry is critical for innovation and the future of news media.

“INMA is proud to partner with, and be at the front of news industry efforts in diversity and inclusion,” he said.

News partnership lead at Google, Robbie Brown noted that supporting journalists doing impactful work that has a global appeal and also supporting upcoming news organisations from diverse backgrounds that serve many communities is central to the Google News Initiative’s work, and the organisation is “proud to continue to partner with INMA to provide these opportunities in enabling a sustainable and innovative news ecosystem.”