THE FACE BEHIND SWAZI TV’S ‘IT’ GIRL

In our quest to cover all sectors in entertainment, I had to track down a television presenter. I called around for my mission to secure not just any presenter but the ever stylish and beautiful Siphesihle ‘Sphe’ Nkwanyana.
Born in Lobamba in 1984, the bubbly presenter tells Gcwala more about herself and her journey in the television industry.

Sphe, as she is affectionatelty known, attended high school at Havelock Mine at the now defunct Bulembu Asbestos village and completed at Peak Central High School in 2002. 

Working

“Due to the mine closing down, I had to move to Bulembu to complete my high school and because my dad was working there,’’ Sphe told Gcwala.
Her dad worked as a foreman. She gets emotional as she talks about her dad who passed away in August 2012. “God I miss him so much, we were very close. Every time I mention him I get emotional.’’ She composes herself and we move on with the interview.

“After high school, I enrolled at University Of Swaziland for B.A Degree in Humanities; I majored in English, Literature Theology and Religious Studies. I graduated in 2008,” Sphe narrates. While at varsity in her third year she joined Channel S as a newsreader.
“I juggled varsity and work; I would read the news in Manzini after my lectures until I graduated. I then worked at the station fulltime as soon as I graduated.’’

Avoided

 
She said that’s how she avoided being a teacher. Otherwise she would have been an English teacher.
In 2010 March, she joined Swazi TV, and has been there ever since.
“I started as a newsreader and I later auditioned for the Kusile Breakfast Show and I got the part.’’ Over the years she has grown at the station as she has acquired much-needed skill as she is now a news reporter.
“I am now a news anchor, programme host and a news reporter. I juggle the three and its fun, I love being an all-rounder,’’ she tells Gcwala.

Challenge

Sphe tells Gcwala that being on screen is always a challenge as they do live shows. 
“Everyone gets accustomed to their job over time, but with live shows it’s different. Yes you gain confidence as you go along but, you are conscious that anything can go wrong, and you might say something you not supposed to say.’’
I ask her if people recognise her on the streets.

“People recognise me all the time and its interesting when you get positive feedback, its always overwhelming and encouraging.’’
I ask her if she still has the same friends she had before.
“Keeping old friends is always difficult, for anyone, but I guess everyone has experienced that. In school you make friends as you are in the same environment pursuing similar interests. However, when go out to pursue your careers, it’s a different situation, because you tend to identify and make friends with people you share similar interests with.’’ 
“I am a very bubbly, humorous person, and very sociable. I am light-hearted,’’ she says.

Independent

The young independent woman loves to make new friends. She is a hard worker and plays hard too.
Although she loves being on TV she narrates that it can be challenging.
“People have their expectations and they expect you to behave in a certain way, which can be frustrating.’’
I ask the gorgeous young lady where she sees herself in future.

“I have so many things planned for my life, I don’t like timing myself because I believe anything is achievable when you put your mind to it, time is not too much of an issue,’’ she says.
Her dreams change all the time because when she sees an opportunity, she grabs it. Her plans include having her own show and representing the country as an ambassador one day.
Catch Sphe on Swazi TV  daily  for the Kusile Breakfast show at 6.30-8.30am and news at 7pm

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