When Nikiwe Bikitsha dropped out of Rhodes University due to lack of funds, she was determined not to let that deter her from accomplishing her dream of becoming a journalist.
“I used to watch reporters on CNN and BBC and say that’s what I want to do,” says the co-presenter of morning news show AM Live on SAfm.
“But the first thing you have to remember is that it’s not about you,” adds Bikitsha. “The trick is to keep on pushing and pushing, and you will get more out of a person that way than when shouting at them or being embroiled in a screaming match.”
Bikitsha (28) broke into the broadcast scene when she joined commercial radio station Cape Talk as an intern in 1997.
She was one of the first journalists on the scene at the Planet Hollywood bombing in 1998, and covered the incident for international networks such as BBC and CNN.
In 2002, she moved to Johannesburg and joined Talk Radio 702 as a senior journalist. It was during her two-year tenure at the station that she was approached to co-host AM Live, arguably the most influential current affairs programme in the country, with radio veteran John Perlman.
“I have learnt a lot from working with John,” she says. “He has been my mentor for the past two years.”
Bikitsha, who also hosts SABC3’s current affairs programme Interface, says one of the joys of her job is being part of history when reporting on major stories such as the recent rape trial of former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
One of her most memorable stories is the 2002 Zimbabwe elections which she covered for Talk Radio 702.
“This was when we were banned from entering Zimbabwe. I stood at the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe and hitch-hiked a ride into Zimbabwe.”
And she’ll never forget the fear and intimidation that she witnessed there.
“It was quite scary but also an adventure for me. Besides I did not have a choice. This was something I had to do.”
Bikitsha confesses that nothing beats being out there in the field and being the first to break a story – an aspect of reporting that she sorely misses.
“I miss the adrenaline that comes with being the first person at a scene, the thrill of being able to tell people what has just happened. I think my passion for breaking stories has grown over the years,” she says.
Bikitsha would above all like to interview President Thabo Mbeki, whom she describes as intriguing.
“Of course I would ask him about the challenges he faces but what I’m most interested in is him as a person. Not much is known about that.”
Among her worst stories, Bikitsha cites the late 1990s bombings in Cape Town and the gang-related shoot-outs she used to cover.
“These were gruesome where you knew that when you get to scene there’ll be limbs everywhere. And the funerals were the worst especially where the victims died after being caught in the cross-fire between gangsters.”
Commenting on the recent attacks on the media by Zuma and his supporters, Bikitsha says it is unfortunate that the role of political journalists is often misunderstood.
“I don’t think journalists should shy away from commenting on things, but all the time remembering that it’s not about them.”
Nikiwe’s most memorable story
Zimbabwe elections in 2002 (see article).
Worst story
Planet Hollywood bombing and gang violence on the Cape flats.
Who would you most like to interview?
President Thabo Mbeki.
Who do you regard as your mentor?
AM Live co-presenter John Perlman.
Career Highlights
- Journalist at Cape Talk Radio.
- One of the first reporters on the scene of the Planet Hollywood bombing; covered it for international networks like BBC and CNN.
- News editor at Cape Talk Radio.
- Member of the presidential coverage team in 2004 elections.
- AM Live co-anchor.
- Interface presenter on SABC 3.