A lot of young school girls trying to plot their futures ask me what I studied to become a presenter at SuperSport.
They probably want to hear a simple answer, something like “I studied presenting for a year and then got called by SuperSport and here I am”.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
As a Film and Media production student at the University of Cape Town the editor of newly-launched tabloid the Daily Voice gave a lecture in my media class one day.
Afterwards I went up to him and asked for the opportunity to write for them.
I started out doing rugby features, outside of my comfort zone at that point but a good lesson for me to learn about diversifying.
During my honours year I was sent by the paper to Independent Newspapers’ headquarters in Ireland to learn to write tabloid style and how to design pages.
It was during the 2006 World Cup and I worked on the Daily Star and Sunday World gaining priceless experience.
I signed a two-year retainer at the Daily Voice upon return and soon I was sports editor mostly by virtue of being in the right place at the right time but even more so due to pure hard work.
Soon opportunities to do radio work on stations like Heart 104.9 fm arose and so came my introduction to broadcasting.
Although I didn’t study broadcasting, my performing arts training has probably helped me make the transition.
My first tv appearance was on Thursday night live with Marawa, the most nerve-wracking experience of my life.
Little did I know years later I would be sitting on the magic couch again being welcomed to the SuperSport team by Robert and ThatoMoeng.
I soon became a regular on Back Pages, the PSL magazine show on a Monday night.
And I was also part of the first female take-over of Robert Marawa’s radio show on Metro FM on the eve of the culmination of the 2009/10 season.
But through it all opportunities to move into broadcasting still seemed to be out of reach, that is until eTV/eNCA opened the door.
It was a risk, the kind you have to take in your career, and one that ultimately paid off because it paved the way to the dream job at SuperSport, even though working for the channel meant I could no longer be a contributor on shows like Back Pages.
I worked as a junior reporter for about 6 months and then again timing and good fortune combined and when a senior anchor left I was given the opportunity to be the first female sports anchor at the cape townoffice.
After two years I knew it was time to move on and on Valentine’s Day 2015 I made my debut as a pitch side football reporter for SuperSport.
It was a tough move to make and a scary one too, moving to a new city where I could count on one hand the people I knew.
I also work for SuperSport Blitz covering live matches and breaking news stories in the world of sport.
Then with the regular presenter of Monday night football away I got a call to fill in.
That was probably the biggest moment of my career to date because this was the very show that fuelled my passion for football.
Fast forward a year and some change and I’m the full time co- presenter on the show, proof that grabbing the opportunity when it arises whether you are ready or not can really change things for you.
That’s such an important thing to remember because if youare scared, someone else will take the chance and run with it.
I’m sure on the outside looking in this job seems very glamourous. While it has its moments it’s important to remember the following:
Hard work is key, your talent will only get you so far.
Do your homework
Drake wrote Started from the Bottom reason, you don’t begin your career with the best job and earning the best salary
Never get too big for your boots
