BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– It is her confidence and etiquette that she displays when conducting her live interviews on Eswatini TV that caught my eye. I asked around for her number from industry colleagues, as I was impressed with her level of confidence when conducting interviews and interacting with politicians as well as diplomats.
Her name is Samkelisiwe Khoza, she hails from Shewula in the Lubombo Region. She went to Lusoti High School for her secondary education and Endzingeni High School for her high school. She is a proud product of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, she graduated in 2017 in TV and Film Production.
We caught up with her, and this is what she had to say about her Television journey and how it all started.
When did you join Eswatini TV?
I joined Eswatini TV in 2019 after working for the Eswatini Observer for a year.
Which shows do you host?
I host a show called Tasephalamende, and I am also a news reporter on a daily basis.
Do you still get nervous when conducting live interviews?
That’s one thing I enjoy and feel at ease with when I am live; all the nervousness just goes away the moment I go live. Those interviews I enjoy. I only get nervous if I did not research the topic at hand.
What does your typical day look like?
My day starts with a diary meeting at 8 a.m., where we discuss and pitch story ideas. Each reporter is expected to do three stories. At times, I cover parliamentary work, which comes in handy when hosting the show. For each story, you write a script for the newsreader, voice-over captions (names) for the interviewees, and sub-headlines for your stories, then sit down with an online editor to edit your stories.
Did you always want to be on TV?
Yes. I wanted to be an actress for a minute.
If you were not on TV, what would you be doing?
I always fancied lawyers, and the more I learned about their duties, the more I respected them.
What was your most memorable interview?
One of my favourite moments was interviewing the people of Hosea in the middle of the night during the secondary elections and Sigwe Inkhundla residents after David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala was announced the winner.
I also enjoyed the live coverage of the elections. I loved interviewing Mtsambama Inkhundla Member of Parliament (MP) Sibongile Mamba after she won the elections, where we visited her homestead.
Who is your favourite news TV presenter?
It has to be Criselda Zozi Lewis.
What would you advise an aspiring TV presenter?
Be yourself and do not try to mimic anyone; do it from the heart; research; and just enjoy yourself.
