In the heart of NWU’s School of Communication resides Coréne Marx an alumna, lecturer, and media maven whose career spans continents and industries. With roots in journalism, PR, and entertainment, Coréne is now rewriting the script for communication students at North-West University through the Nuushonde project, one Aardklop festival at a time. 

What Is Nuushonde at Aardklop? 

The name itself Nuushonde comes from the journalistic slang “newshound,” a term for someone who chases the news with dogged determination. Fitting, since this is exactly what Coréne has cultivated in her students: a passion for the story, a nose for the real world, and the agility to learn in high-pressure creative spaces like the Aardklop Arts Festival. 

This Aardklop Arts Festival is a vibrant annual arts and culture event held in Potchefstroom since 1998, typically running for about six days in October. The festival is rooted in celebrating Afrikaans theatre, music, cabaret, visual arts, dance, and proudly embraces all languages and audiences. Beyond entertainment, it offers a diverse programme featuring stand-up comedy, family-friendly shows, literary talks, and bustling markets while also addressing social issues through powerful performances and promotes inclusive dialogue and participation.  Here’s one of the entertainment pieces you can expect when attending this year’s Aardklop Festival  

If this isn’t your vibe, you are welcome to check out the 2025 program, there something for everyone! 

What Makes Nuushonde Different? 

Nuushonde is a student initiative that aims to give communication students a full-circle experience. “Nuushonde creates a space where students could go through the entire media production process: organising interviews, taking photos, writing stories, editing, and actually getting published,” Coréne explains. 

Students don’t just write. They shoot, edit, publish, and interact with artists, festivalgoers, and PR teams all under tight deadlines. It’s communication in real time. “They learn what it’s like to work in the field, not just how to pass a module.” 

Coréne also sees the project as a space for cultural exchange. The crew is multilingual and diverse, and by working in an Afrikaans-dominated environment, students learn to navigate different communities with confidence. 

The Last Woof 

“Don’t join Nuushonde just because you want to be a journalist/Content creator/ Videographer etc. Join because you want to learn what communication looks like in motion, under pressure, in community, and in the real world. Nuushonde will teach you what it means to be communication professional, to create meaningful work, and to grow beyond what you thought you were capable of.”  She also reminds the students to keep a lookout for an announcement on eFundi regarding being part of the Nuushonde Crew 

In Coréne’s world, being a Nuushonde Opleiding (in training) is more than an internship but it’s a craft especially in high pressure festival like Aardklop. “You might not always start your career where you want to and being an all-rounder is what Nuushonde would instil in you to be highly adaptable in the job market.” You’ll not only leave with experience, but you’ll leave transformed. 

We can’t wait for the next cohort of NWU’s Nuushonde Crew and how they are going to creatively cover the Aardklop Arts Festival happening from 7-12 October 2025, so secure your seat by getting you tickets on their website.