ZAHEER CASSIM
520 West 114th Str. Apt 44 New York, NY 10025
646-384-9933 zc2203@columbia.edu
EDUCATION
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, N.Y. Expected May 2011
M.S. Digital Media concentration: Coursework includes audio storytelling, video production, and digital
entrepreneurship with a focus on search engine optimization. Produced multimedia and print stories for
theuptowner.org. Currently reporting on a controversy between podiatrists and orthopedists about care of the ankle,
which has resulted in the exodus of some of the best podiatrists from New York.
University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 01/2009 - 12/2009
Honors diploma in Journalism, graduated cum laude and was awarded the Dean’s award for Student Journalist of the
Year.
University of California, Berkeley B.A. Mass Communications and European Studies Minor 05/2008
Coursework included economics and game theory.
EXPERIENCE
Thomson Reuters, Johannesburg Bureau, South Africa 03/2010 - 07/2010
Recipient of Reuters Fellowship that funded degree and summer news internship.
Covered news and press conferences in the run up and during World Cup soccer tournament.
Covered local breaking news on deadline. Pitched and reported feature story on South African grandmothers making
money off tourists during soccer tournament, which was picked up by Washington Post, ABC News and other media
outlets.
Tin Rage Productions, Johannesburg, South Africa 11/2009 - 01/2010
Researcher for an investigative criminal series aired on South African public television
Obtained and organized police reports, interviewed witnesses, and assembled a detailed crime timeline for a
broadcast about the murder of a prominent South African businessman.
Collaborated with scriptwriter and producer in all aspects of writing and show production.
Vuvuzela Newspaper, Johannesburg, South Africa 02/2009 – 11/2009
Reporter/ Photographer for weekly University of Witwatersrand campus newspaper (circulation 20, 000)
Covered campus and community news. Highlights: Broke the story on the exodus of University of Witwatersrand
doctors to other institutions because of low pay grade. The story was picked up by the Mail & Guardian, South
Africa’s leading investigative newspaper.
C.I.I. Broadcasting, Johannesburg, South Africa 07/2008 - 12/2008
Reporter and presenter of the World Report, a live daily current affairs broadcast aired on satellite radio
Reported live from the field during breaking news events including the recall of the former S.A. president Thabo
Mbeki.
K.A.L.X Radio Station, Berkeley, C.A 08/2007 – 06/2008
K.A.L.X News Director and reporter
Recruited and trained more than 70 journalists for the news department. Trained new producers on how to run a 30-
minute news broadcast as well as being able to use studio equipment. Planned workshops with guest speakers and
arranged press passes for journalists at political events, such as the Hillary Clinton campaign in Oakland.
SKILLS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Multimedia: Digital audio and video recording and editing: Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, and Photoshop. Web: Social
media footprint includes: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other applications.
Other languages: Afrikaans and some Arabic
South African passport with a U.S. green card.
REFERENCES:
Paula Span, Professor at Columbia University, spanp@comcast.net
Liaaqat Tobias, Former Head of Programming at C.I.I, liaaqatt@gmail.com
Carla Baranauckas, Professor at Columbia University, cbarnyt@gmail.com
