Hussein Badat grew up in South Africa. As part of his master’s degree in Germany, he is interning at Global Bar Magazine and Global Reporting. Besides writing articles for Global Bar Magazine, Hussein will be involved in larger studies and investigations.
What brings you to Global Bar Magazine and Global Reporting?
– As someone who grew up in a political family during a tumultuous time in South African history, progressive and internationalist politics have always been central to my identity. Sweden’s role in supporting and furthering progressive, internationalist politics, especially in South Africa, was part of many of the stories I heard growing up. Having met Swedes working on these issues in South Africa, I learned of Global Reporting through someone who had interned here.
What do you hope to achieve with the internship?
– On a personal level, I hope to immerse myself in a work environment in a new country to add to my experience of working in South Africa and China. I am fascinated to learn how an organisation with such a wide purview as Global Reporting manages to give issues the attention they require, negotiates the different interests of staff, and navigates challenging political considerations when speaking truth to power. I am very keen to learn more about the practical aspects of running a digital platform and how design, production, and social media engagement and management work on a day-to-day basis.
What can you bring to Global Reporting?
– On a basic level I have confidence in my research and writing skills. I work well on my own and as part of a collective. More particularly, I think my almost pathological curiosity about myriad issues seems to fit in with the breadth of the work done at Global Reporting. Having lived in and been educated in several countries, as well as being a citizen of a country as diverse as South Africa, I am skilled at navigating different cultures and personalities. My academic background in Social Anthropology has given me practical and theoretical tools that enhance not just my ability to deal with difference, but to enhance my fascination and appreciation of different perspectives.
Is there anything people should know about you?
– I can be very serious when appropriate and necessary, but that is far from my default. I love terrible music as well as puppies (all dogs are puppies). The absolute centre of my universe is Loukanikos (Louka), my 17-month-old Zimbabwean Ridgeback puppy who I will do my best to not bore everyone with the details of how perfect he is and how difficult it is to be away from him for a few hours every day.
David Isaksson
