BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE: For the love of radio!
Fiona Russell Schmidt, aka Fifidope, began her broadcasting journey back in 2000 when she worked as an intern for Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS). She explored the media space a bit and worked for television and print for a few years; eventually, she was employed full-time at EBIS in 2013 and has not looked back ever since.
She broadcasts on the English Channel (EBIS 2) and also presents the programme dubbed Labasha Netabo on the (EBIS 1) SiSwati Channel. You can catch Fifidope on the Midday Drive on the English Channel from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
She also presents the 45-minute local play on Mondays from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., where she dishes out the latest music from Eswatini.-The 45-minute local play “Get to know the person behind the music” every Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., where she hosts upcoming artists from the Kingdom to give them a platform to share their music and journey.
Tell us about your broadcasting passion.
I love radio! I cannot imagine my life outside of broadcasting. It is the most enjoyable profession, and I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to listen. I love radio because it is interactive. I love communicating with the audience and giving them what they expect when they tune in. Social media has enabled radio to interact with its audience, taking radio to the people, and those who listen can give feedback as the show goes on.
Radio has the ability to give news and information to the public as it happens, allowing breaking news to be disseminated immediately. I also love radio because I’m a sucker for good music, and in the studio, I’m able to enjoy music and share my favourite tunes with the nation.
What is your favourite show?
I mostly enjoy outside broadcasting (OB) when on the radio. This part of broadcasting takes you to the people—be it roadshows or broadcasting at important state events like the opening of Parliament—interviewing emaSwati and hearing their views about national issues is what really makes me tick. I don’t have a specific show or broadcast that I would say is memorable to me, and the reason for that is that every day behind the microphone is different—it has different highs and challenges, and each and every one of them is memorable and enjoyable.
In your view, compared to international standards, where are we?
We are slowly, but surely, getting there. There has really been an amazing positive shift in the broadcasting space in Eswatini over the years, and the directors of EBIS have been working tirelessly to ensure that our radio station is on par with other stations across the globe. Very soon, we will be moving into brand new studios equipped with the latest broadcasting technology. EBIS has recently launched a website and has been active on all its social media platforms to allow smooth interactivity between the station and its audience.
The passing of the Broadcasting Bill in 2020 in the country will also play a major role in opening up the airwaves, allowing more radio stations to be established and enabling fierce competition in the broadcasting space in Eswatini. I also look forward to the merger between Eswatini TV and EBIS.
What would you advise an aspiring broadcaster?
To emaSwati, who wishes to pursue a career in broadcasting, my advice would be to be yourself! Don’t imitate or copy other well-known radio presenters. Enjoy your shows, and always come to work prepared. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Be well-versed in what’s happening in the music scene, follow entertainment channels, and always know what’s happening around you. Love what you do, speak freely on topical issues, share your opinions, and allow the audience to share their thoughts and opinions too.
Tell us about your other passion, cooking!
So recently, I won the Rajah Celebrity cook-off that was hosted in the country last month. I had no idea I had a passion for cooking. I cooked because I had to as the head of my family, but it was the celebrity cook-off that made me realise that I actually had a passion for cooking. It was intensified when I won challenge after challenge. I guess you get used to cooking because, as women, we cook almost on a daily basis, and you get used to family and friends enjoying your meals.
What’s your favourite dish?
My favourite dish is a traditional meal: umbhidvo wetintsanga and pap. It is a seasonal dish that can only be cooked in the summer. I absolutely love it! I buy umbhidvo from local vendors who have become very familiar with my presence and know to throw in “sicobetelo,” because what is good umbidvo without sicobetelo? When I cook this dish, I make sure to add a tad of butter, as it enhances the flavour of the dish. I was raised by a grandmother who loved to cook traditional meals, which has been a huge influence on most of my cooking. I keep my meals deliciously simple, and each bite is fulfilling and tasty!
Tell us about the cooking competition.
The Rajah Celebrity Cookoff was a promotional campaign by Rajah, taking their products to the kitchen and teaching emaSwati the different ways to use their products. We had five road shows in the different regions of the Kingdom where I was competing against Master Chef Akhona Bhengu, famously known as King Terry, and the winner of these cook-offs would take away E10, 000 for charity. Members of the public who bought Rajah products played games and won themselves fantastic prizes during the shows.
We were given only an hour to cook, and a dish was given to cook for the day. It was loads of fun and challenging at the same time! I won the competition and secured E10, 000 for Gogo Nde, who is an avid listener of EBIS. Gogo Nde looks after orphaned and vulnerable children.
