Our Woman in Media feature has
become a must-read among users, as was evident when we featured
Renelle Naidoo, producer of SAfm’s Gameplan
in our January edition. This month we feature Linda Moreotsene, a
camera-shy sports journalist, who prefers to report on sport rather than have
the spotlight on her.
But despite
her protests, gsport was determined to feature Linda, a seasoned journalist,
who currently covers sport in the Tshwane and Rustenburg region for leading
South African daily newspaper, Sowetan.
Prior to
breaking into sports media, Linda worked as a hard news journalist for the SABC
where she honed her reporting skills and learnt the importance of accurate
reporting.
While
Linda’s first love is soccer, she is passionate about reporting on all sports
stars who have reached the summit in their sporting codes, and one of her
favourite sports stars is iconic athlete Maria Mutola.
Speaking
about Linda’s ability as a sports reporter, Sowetan sports editor Molefi Mika,
told gsport: "She is a promising sports reporter with a great potential
provided she stays focused, professional and consistent."
Banyana
Banyana team manager, Fran Hilton-Smith, is another big supporter of Linda’s
work, saying: "Linda is doing a great job and has a big interest in women’s
football. She is always calling us and doing reports on the team’s
progress. Wish we had more reporters like her. She deserves the
recognition and we are proud of her!"
Linda played
soccer and participated in athletics as a child so it’s no surprise that she
has chosen to stay involved in the world of sport. If there is a sport story to
be told, Linda is always up for it. A hard worker who is passionate about what
she does and is inspired by love in all its forms – there is no doubt that with
her attitude Linda will continue to succeed in this male dominated environment
of sports media.
Introducing
gsport’s February 2008 Woman in Media, Linda
Moreotsene!
Linda, where does your love for sport come from?
Growing up
with three brothers and a male cousin, I had no one else to play
with. Always being outnumbered meant I had to play what they played –
soccer. I also participated in athletics and soccer, but like
most South Africans, especially black people, soccer is like a religion.
Although it is a bit unusual for women to be as interested.
When did you get into sports journalism?
In 2005 a post
opened at the Sowetan, and I applied. I felt I had the necessary
ingredients – the love of sport and training. Anyway, I tried my luck, went for
interviews and was hired. It has been a remarkable and exciting ride since then.
What did you do before you got your break in the sports
media?
I was a hard news
reporter and producer at the national broadcaster, the SABC.
What are your current work projects and what do you enjoy
about them?
I cover events that take
place around the Tshwane and Rustenburg region. No two events are ever the
same, the excitement, atmosphere and the responsibility it takes to be accurate
and focused in what I write causes pressure – I enjoy pressure. It is fun
interacting with news makers and getting into their heads. What I
have found is that most stars, from whatever code – are usually humble and
in awe of the admiration they inspire.
What have been some of your highlights working as a sports
journalist?
Winning an
award for covering athletics and just conducting
interviews with people who have reached the summit in
their sporting codes.
What is the best live sporting event you’ve covered?
The most vivid memory
would be when Premiership club Mamelodi Sundowns defended their
championship last season. The atmosphere, the fans and the
players made it a night to remember. And although I was not there on
duty, the day Herschelle Gibbs helped SA score 438 against Australia also comes to mind.
How do you deal with challenges you face as a woman in
sport?
When I go to work, I
don’t regard myself as a woman. I am a journalist. There are a lot of
chauvinists out there making your life difficult- especially in
soccer. But just as there are many of them, there are a lot of
people, men who want to help. Most importantly, I make sure that
I know what I’m doing. I have learnt to be assertive.
What is your advice to women who are keen to break into
sports reporting?
Go for it – it is
exciting and challenging. Some things are obvious, you will
encounter certain challenges because of your gender, but you
will find a way of getting around it. Stay focused. Keep learning
and always look for opportunities that will expand your contact
base.
How can we further improve the state of women’s sport in South Africa?
The main challenge is
sponsorship. Corporates should start taking women’s sport seriously, and
invest money just like they do in men’s sport without complaining. For
instance, if netball experiences a run of bad results, to some people
they are useless.
But look at the attitude towards all the men’s teams!
Although some of them never really achieve anything of significance, when
it comes to them all the stops are pulled, always. We could look at other
countries that have top female performers – the Australian swimmers or the US soccer team
for instance and see what they do that we don’t.
Which sports do you enjoy covering most and why?
Netball and soccer.
Netball is a graceful sport and when played well can look simply beautiful. As
for soccer, it has always been a part of my life.
Who are your favorite sports stars and why?
There are several.
Maria Mutola – a phenomenal African woman athlete, who went out and
performed in her code without intimidation. She put her country on
the map in the process. Dr Steve "Kalamazoo"
Mokone – he was the first African to play soccer in Europe
in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He made such an impact; he has a street named
after him in the Netherlands.
The way in which he carved himself an illustrious academic career in
the US
after his playing days were over is phenomenal.
How do you keep fit?
I have been a member of
a gym for six years.
gsport strives to celebrate femininity. How would you
define femininity and what role does it play in your life?
Having pride in and
embracing all that is good about being a woman and trying to live it
daily. Nothing constantly reminds of my femininity than the atmosphere in
which I work. It’s not necessary to emulate the way in which men do things
to achieve results.
What is the best thing about being a woman?
The knowledge that, as a
woman, I have the power to create life, something that is phenomenal. I
read somewhere that "To kill women is to kill life, to kill humanity
itself". Also, it makes me proud that all over the world when there
have been wars and strife, a woman have seldom been at the forefront.
Who are some of the sports journalists you look up to and
why?
Early female sports
reporters such as Jane Chastain and Jeannie Morris- for being
pioneers. Some of my peers locally, but I don’t want to mention names ,
although I do like the way Carlos Amato writes.
What’s the best career advice you’ve been given?
Try and live your
purpose in life through your work.
What inspires you?
Love. In all its
different forms.
Who are your role models?
Women who have an
unbreakable spirit, we have many here in South Africa. My parents have given
me unconditional love.
What do you hope to be doing in 2010?
I hope to still be in
this industry and this country, playing a role in how South Africa
comes across to the rest of the world, in 2010 and beyond. Hopefully, I will be
at the International Broadcast Centre covering the World Cup.
What is your greatest ambition?
Achieve happiness – the
knowledge that what I have and what I hope and long for is the same thing.
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