Times of Zambia sports journalist Sandra Mwila has been dominating sport media for a decade and is well on her way to continue changing the game as she paves the way for more women to venture into male-dominated spaces.
Growing up, Mwila admits that she was not the kind to get involved in sport physically, however she did enjoy watching and supporting her peers who would partake in sporting activities.
Her love for sport further developed later in her life when she was offered an intership at Times of Zambia, where she was put into the sports department.
Mwila currently holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations, as well as a Diploma in Journalism. She says she would like to venture into sports media consultancy in future.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Mwila reveals her career highlights and how media can amplify the coverage of women’s sport.
Sandra, thank you for chatting to us. Please tell us about yourself and where you are from.
Thank you for the opportunity to chat with gsport. It’s an honour and privilege.
My name is Sandra Mwila from Zambia. I am a Sport Journalist and currently work for a Government newspaper company – Times of Zambia. I have been writing sport for a decade now. I’m a trained in Journalism and Public Relations. A graduate from Cavendish University, a holder of a Bachelor Degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations and also hold a Diploma in Journalism from Evelyn Hone College.
When and where did your love for sport begin and did you play?
Funny enough, I have never played any sport even in my school days. I took any opportunity I could get to avoid being involved in sport and being at a boarding school, I would fake an illness and sleep in the sick bay on sports day when forced to participate but I loved to just watch and cheer those who participated.
My love for sport developed because of the nature of the job. I am a sports journalist and required to cover all sports disciplines and sports events, and through that I fell in love with sport.
Sport has become part of me and no day at work feels like work but leisure because I love watching various sports. Imagine working at a stadium covering local or international football games, watching golf or motorsport, it’s all fun. Work is more of leisure time. You need to love what you do, and no day will feel like work. I love sport and even when I’m off I would still go watch various sporting activities.
Funny story, when I graduated from college, I was looking for an internship and went to my now workplace and they told me the only vacancy was in sport and asked if I was a keen follower and had any idea of sports.
I lied and said yes because I wanted the internship, but I had to prove to them that I knew and had no choice but to learn quickly and learn to love sport.
Who are some of the sportswomen in media you admire and why?
My favourite is Usher Komugisha from Uganda, that lady is a gem. I love everything about her. Focused, determined and a go-getter. She is doing so many amazing things with various international media, Sky News, CNN, CAF media, SuperSport but what stands out for me is her passion and how down to earth she is. Remains humble and voluntarily mentors a number of female journalists on the continent without even knowing it.
Lynda Greef, COSAFA Media Manager. She is a phenomenal woman, so many lessons to draw from her and those that have had an opportunity to work with her would attest. She is a dragon and a machine. Her efficiency and how she gets so much done is out of this world.
She loves what she does and her passion and her ability to deliver is something I have never seen from anyone else, and she loves to share knowledge and to teach, she does it at every chance she gets.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you deal overcome them?
I would lie to say I have had so many challenges in my career path. I have been fortunate to work with amazing people in the media that have helped me in shaping my career to be the journalist I am today.
But the major challenge I have is the cyber bullying and victimisation based on gender where people think for you to be great or have certain opportunities you probably slept with someone to get there. There is nothing as disgusting to see such innuendos or accusations when all you do is strive to learn and work hard to create your own brand or legacy.
What are some of your career highlights?
My career highlights… Still growin,g still learning.
But my highlights have been working with COSAFA as media officer for the 2022 Cosafa Women’s Championship, being media officer for the Zambia Women’s team at various international engagements, including 2018 WAFCON, 2022 WAFCON, and in particular being part of the history makers. Being part of their journey of qualifying to first World Cup and winning bronze at WAFCON and various Cosafa women’s tournament.
What’s the state of women in media in Zambia? Is it progressing?
Like most professions, the media is dominated by males and because of their strength in numbers most media houses have top management run by a male.
I will make reference to the institution I work for, we have more male editors and not even two female editors. I think this has been so because of the stereotypes on women and primitive thinking that a woman’s place should be in the kitchen or that men are working harder than women and can do better jobs.
Also, women are disadvantaged because people would tend to prefer a man for the job because women biologically would stay off work when pregnant or nursing children, giving an upper hand to men.
Progress is being made slowly and steadily and in years to come, the gap would be bridged because women have learnt they have the power within them and have learnt to speak out for themselves and take up challenging opportunities when given to prove that what a man can do a woman can do even better.
Yes, women continue to take the profession as we have seen an increase in women in media.
What do you think of the progress of women’s sports coverage in Africa in the last 5 years both online and in print?
With the rise in female sports activities, the interest on women has also seen an increase. Sports associations and female teams are comfortable to work with female journalists when covering female sports. We have an increase in female reporters hosting athletes on social media such as Twitter or Facebook to promote their fellow females.
There’s also an increase in women’s sport presenters on various TV stations and radio stations. Only the print media is still lagging behind to have more females on their sports desk which is understandable because social media is almost overtaking traditional media.
How do you mentally deal with being in a male-dominated space?
True, sport media is still male dominated, and a typical example is the media house I work for.
I am the only female amongst five males, but for me I have a strong character and it’s not easy to victimise me on gender. I always try to have a positive mindset when dealing with anything I’m faced with.
Having a strong support system is very cardinal. Family and friends are always there for me.
What is it that people don’t know about you and what do you do for fun?
I think I am a very boring person because any chance I get, I love to be in my own space. I have two-three friends and I just chill and I love to try new cooking recipes.
What do you think we as media can do amplify women’s sport coverage?
Make it a policy that every sport segment be it online, television or print should always feature a woman in sport. Have feminist sports shows, Twitter Spaces or podcasts and advocacy for equal opportunity for women in sport.
What is your greatest career ambition?
To venture into sports media consultancy.
The media is a great sports tool that I feel is underutilised and can help bring the media role in sport to light and be impactful.
What is your advice to aspiring women in sport media?
It’s a wonderful profession that will give you great opportunities in life and if you have the passion for it. Don’t let anyone discourage you. Go for it and make the best of it.
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