Radio 2000 Sportscaster, Nthabiseng Mamabolo, is excited to be a finalist in the Woman in Radio category for this year’s 2020 Momentum gsport Awards which features Metro FM’s Lebohang Motsoeli and MassivMetro’s #FeminineFirstTouch host, Itumeleng Banda.
Mamabolo, who hails from Limpopo, is an advocate for women in sport, dedicating her bulletins on weekends to honour women, both on and off the field. She admires both Motsoeli and Banda who are also keeping the women in sport conversation going on the airwaves.
In her fourth year in the industry, Mamabolo has risen from community radio to the public broadcaster – a huge feat for an upcoming star! Her level-headedness has kept her grounded through her advancements as she aims to continue to break barriers in the sport industry.
With her #gsport15 recognition, what is she hoping to achieve next?
Nthabi, how does it feel to be a 2020 Momentum gsport Awards finalist in the Woman in Radio category?
Geez, for me being a 2020 Momentum gsport Awards finalist in the Woman in Radio category means so much! I welcome it with both hands, firstly, and I appreciate it so much because it means that the risk that I took personally to convert my 8h30am bulletins on Saturdays and Sundays to be women in sport focussed is paying off. Not a lot of people understand why we made the decisions that we did but when you receive such recognition and acknowledgement, it gives one a sense of pride and sense of relief that you are on the right track.
“A lot of women across the board – on and off the field – have been able to speak to me about their challenges, achievements and raise their concerns. It makes me sleep so much better at night knowing that I have made a difference in somebody’s life and that woman in sport is being advocated for.” – Radio 2000 Sportscaster, Nthabiseng Mamabolo.
I think it is time that we as women in sport lead by example by advocating for other women and for me to convert my bulletins was my way of playing my part. I know the challenges that we go through as women in sport in the industry, so I stuck to my decision and it has been amazing, it has been well received. A lot of women across the board – on and off the field – have been able to speak to me about their challenges, achievements and raise their concerns. It makes me sleep so much better at night knowing that I have made a difference in somebody’s life and that woman in sport is being advocated for.
Lebo Motsoeli and Itumeleng Banda are the other two finalists in the category. What were your initial thoughts when you saw who you were up against?
When I saw that Lebo and Itu were finalists as well, I was really happy! Not only because I love them so much and I follow their craft, but they believe in the same message and mission that I believe in which is empowering women in sport. And, I believe that the only way that we can do that is use the different platforms that we each have in radio to preach that message and get the conversation going. The problem with bulletins is that you don’t have much time but to start the conversation is all we ask for. I know these ladies work tirelessly, day in and day out to get this message across and for me to be in the same category as them, is something that I appreciate. I wish them the best! For me it’s not about competition but it’s about us trying to get the message across and hopefully women in sport can be recognised beyond the gsport Awards.
Looking at how the gsport Awards stage has changed the lives of previous winners, what impact are you hoping to see this recognition have on your career?
I hope that it will open more doors for me to be able to preach about women in sport across the board because we all need to be heard. Also, I hope to inspire the next generation of female sport broadcasters.
How long have you been in the sport industry and what has the journey been like for you?
I have been in the industry for about four years now. I started out at a community radio station for about five months, then moved to commercial for two-and-a-half months and now at the public broadcaster, Radio 2000. For me, I am happy with the decision I took to get into broadcasting. It’s been an amazing journey, it’s been a rollercoaster ride, it hasn’t been easy because as a woman in sport you have to work extra hard, you need to put in that extra effort as compared to your male counterparts.
“You need to be passionate about it and that was the case for me. It comes with its challenges, especially being a young woman and trying to pave your way but at the end of the day you need to know what it is that you want to do, be very resilient in what you want to achieve, the message you are trying to get across and that is what has kept me going.” – Mamabolo on the challenges of being a woman in the sport industry.
It doesn’t come easy, it doesn’t come overnight, but you need to prepare for it, you need to be ready and that’s why I say that you need to get into the sport industry because it is what you want to do and not because you think it’s glamorous and you can become an overnight hit! You need to be passionate about it and that was the case for me. It comes with its challenges, especially being a young woman and trying to pave your way but at the end of the day you need to know what it is that you want to do, be very resilient in what you want to achieve, the message you are trying to get across and that is what has kept me going.
What are some of your big lessons you can share to inspire the up and coming young girl who aims to have a career in the sport industry?
The biggest lesson is that you need to know your work! You need to put in the effort, you need to know what you are speaking about, you need to prepare, you need to know your sport basically! If somebody wakes you up at midnight and asks you, “Who are the log leaders in the ABSA Premiership?” You need to be able to give an answer straight away, without thinking and with confidence. It’s all about knowing your work and that comes with loving what you do and being passionate about it.
Which women in sport inspire you and why?
I am mostly inspired by double Olympic champion, Caster Semenya, and I won’t even lie! She puts her all into everything that she does, she has faced so much criticism, she has been through it all, but she continues to show the world what she is made of. That is what keeps me going as a woman in sport because we know that we don’t have it easy. People look at us and question our abilities and the waiting for you to make the slightest mistake so they can come at you, so for me, Caster is a perfect example of a superstar, a person who knows exactly what they want, will work hard for it and will get it. We are from the same province – Limpopo – but her journey inspires me so much, I just love her and her work ethic as well.
What is your greatest ambition?
My ambition is to inspire the young girls, to show them that it is possible, that their dreams are valid and if they can dream it, they can achieve it! Also, to show them that hard work pays off and that you can get criticised but let your work speak for you. This industry is not for the faint hearted, but you can pave your way through it, and you can make a success out of it – that is what I preach all the time!
Women in sport need to stand together, we need to support each other, so that this is not just a conversation that goes on only when we have the Momentum gsport Awards or Women’s Month.
I would love to lead the way!
Photo 1 Caption: Radio 2000 Sportscaster, Nthabiseng Mamabolo, is excited to be in the Woman in Radio category for this year’s 2020 Momentum gsport Awards which features Metro FM’s Lebohang Motsoeli and MassivMetro #FeminineFirstTouch host, Itumeleng Banda. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Mamabolo, who hails from Limpopo, is an advocate for women in sport as she dedicates her bulletins on weekends to honour females both on and off the field. She admires both Motsoeli and Banda who are also keeping the women in sport conversation on the airwaves. Photo: Supplied
Photo 3 Caption: In her fourth year in the industry, Mamabolo has risen from community radio to the public broadcaster – a huge feat for an upcoming star! Her level-headedness has kept her grounded through her achievements as she aims to continue breaking barriers in the sport industry. Photo: Supplied
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