Two female IsiXhosa news
anchors, Thabile Makapela as a weather presenter
on Newzroom Afrika’s daily Iindaba Zethu and Pumza Sikhumba as a Newzroom
Afrika’s sign language interpreter share their experiences.
Thabile Makapela
Former
kids’ news presenter, Makapela, celebrates her IsiXhosa roots when she presents
the weather on Newzroom Afrika’s daily Iindaba Zethu bulletins.
Hailing
from Komani in the Eastern Cape, Makapela always knew she wanted a career in
television, and since February this year, has been able to deliver content in
her mother tongue.
As
an active mentor, her advice to upcoming journalists, “Embrace who you are; and
know and understand that you are unique and enjoy what you do.”
Iindaba
Zethu gives viewers access to diverse views to promote an understanding of the
daily events – including the weather – that affect South Africa’s population.
These could include information on inclement and dangerous weather warnings,
such as the recent high winds and wild seas wreaking havoc along the country’s
coastline.
Mzansi
Wethu’s first IsiZulu and IsiXhosa language news bulletin, Izindaba
Zethu/Iindaba Zethu broadcasts daily on DStv channel 163 at 19:00.
What
led you to a career in news?
For
as long as I can remember, I have always had a love for television, and this
love led me to a career in news. I knew I belonged in broadcasting since
my primary school days.
What
is the most memorable news story you have covered in your career?
The
most memorable story that I’ve covered in my career was when I was a kids’ news
anchor and went to question the former president, Jacob Zuma. That experience
was mind blowing, because as a young person in my early twenties, and still new
in the news anchoring world, I did not expect to engage with someone so high
profile. I was attending a story in Pretoria during Child Protection Week, and
I was afforded the opportunity to interview the former president. I was excited
and enjoyed all the attention that came with it, especially being a kids’
anchor.
You
have been an anchor on Indaba Zethu since it launched in February, how has that
been?
Presenting
on the show is so exciting, I look forward to each bulletin like it’s my first.
What
makes anchoring in IsiXhosa authentic to you?
Presenting
in isiXhosa makes it even more fun! It is my mother tongue so I can play around
with the language while being informative.
Tell
us about how working with the iconic veteran news anchor Dr Noxolo Grootboom
has been? How has she mentored you?
Working
with Dr Noxolo Grootboom has been an experience that I’ll treasure forever. She
has become more than just a mentor, more like a mother and a friend.
What
is the legacy you would like to leave to the younger journalists rising the
ranks?
The
legacy that I would love to leave to the younger journalists is to embrace who
you are. Know and understand that you are unique and enjoy what you do.
Tell
us about your hometown.
I
am from Komani (formally known as Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape and most of
the people from the area do not consider media as a typical career path. I was
a very active child and I’m grateful that my family and community gave me a
platform that made me realise what I loved to do.
When
you are not providing news to your fellow South Africans, what can you be found
doing off camera?
When
I’m not on TV, I can be found exploring my love for radio. I love public
speaking and mentoring.
The
job of reporting the news can be a challenging one, and journalists have a
responsibility to the public to present stories which are accurate and
authentic.
Pumza Sikhumba
Sikhumba, Newzroom Afrika’s sign language interpreter, feels the weight of the
country’s deaf IsiXhosa community on her shoulders when she presents on Iindaba
Zethu.
Hailing
from Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Sikhumba’s most memorable news moment was
when she covered the funeral of Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela-Mandela.
When
she is not on television delivering the news, she interprets at police stations
and hospitals as there is often still a big communication barrier in the deaf
community.
What
led you to a career in news?
News
is an exciting career, there’s always something happening somewhere that needs
accurate conveying, and with my skills, I felt like I would make a huge impact
in the lives of the deaf community with the daily developments.
What
is the most memorable news story you have covered in your career?
The
most memorable news I have covered is the funeral of the mother of the nation,
Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela-Mandela. I was kept on my toes; in a way, I
think I felt I was making up to the deaf community for the sign language
interpreter who caused an outcry with his poor interpreting skills at Nelson
Mandela’s funeral.
You
have been an anchor on Iindaba Zethu since it launched in February, how has
that been?
The
experience has been empowering and deeply satisfying, with an opportunity to
learn as one engages with different stories and subject matters. It is a place
of growth, learning, and an environment that inspires excellence. I enjoy the
feedback from our viewers and being part of a pioneering project is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.
What
makes anchoring in IsiXhosa authentic to you?
With
isiXhosa being my mother tongue, I am at my most comfortable expressing myself,
sharing ideas, and relaying information more accurately, in-depth, and
informatively. My language is my identity which automatically connects me to my
culture. As a South African Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI) anchor, I can
accurately sign in isiXhosa and convey quickly to the audience what is truly
being said, unlike when sources language is one of the other official
languages, as my thinking process is shorter.
Tell
us about how working with the iconic and much-loved Dr Noxolo Grootboom has
been? How has she mentored you in the past couple of months?
“Mam
Nox”, as we affectionately call her, has been amazing and a blessing. Her
experience and knowledge in the field are unmatched and it shows through her
work when we engage. As a mentor she has such a kind and loving spirit, she is
patient and deeply caring. She is someone you can speak to with ease as she
relates to the work experiences and whatever challenges we have or may face.
She
has taught me the importance of the team communicating with me as thoroughly as
possible to ensure that the information that I deliver as an interpreter is accurate.
I am motivated by the fact that she’s willing to understand and support me as a
SASLI anchor. Working with her has challenged me to continuously do my best.
What
is the legacy you would like to leave to the younger journalists rising up the
ranks?
A
legacy of excellence, competency, and taking our job and craft very seriously.
I would like to see more deaf people venturing into journalism because they
have a better understanding of what is happening in and around the world.
Seeing more trained media interpreters specifically in current affairs will fulfil
me.
“The
songs of our ancestors are also the songs of our children” – Philip
Carr-Gomm
Tell
us about your hometown
I
come from the Eastern Cape in Mdantsane, the second-largest township after
Soweto. We have 14 beaches in East London and as a result, the festive season
is an extremely busy time filled with tourists.
When
you are not providing news to your fellow South Africans, what can you be found
doing off-camera?
I
interpret at police stations and hospitals quite often as there is still a big
communication barrier in the deaf community. When I am not doing that, I am at
home spending time with my children.
