WATCH | Women’s month celebration at eNCA

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File: Former deputy president of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party and new uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party national organiser Floyd Shivambu speaks during a press conference in Sandton, Johannesburg on August 22, 2024. 
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Celebrating women in media at eNCA
 
JOHANNESBURG – In celebration of Women’s Month, eNCA showcased the voices that shape the narrative in the media. These included investigative journalist Devi Sankaree Govender; award-winning senior reporter Silindelo Masikane; and veteran journalist Annika Larsen.
The CEO of Duke Corporate Education, Sharmla Chetty, opened the event as keynote speaker, sharing her lessons in leadership.
“You need to embrace your authentic voice, which is one of the most powerful tools. You must have courage to break down barriers because true progress requires courage. I often say that we, too, understand gender equality and we also need courage to bring other women along with us. We need to challenge the norm and refine what’s possible”, she said. “And most importantly, when women rise men don’t fall.”
Melanie Rice, who has been with eMedia since 1998, spoke about the mentorship she received from other women.
 “I’ve been at eNCA and e.TV for the longest time. I was the reporter for the first bulletin in 1998. Representation matters so much in terms of higher management.”
E.V executive producer and news anchor,  Rice said: “The people who opened doors for me were women. They told me that I can still make it, having a full-time job and still being a mom.”
Senior reporter Silindelo Masikane spoke about her love for the media industry: “Journalism is a calling for us and my job is my public duty.
“Telling stories that are relatable is something that I am good at”, she added. “I can amplify the voice of the voiceless.” She said she is more interested in expanding and producing South African stories. “This is where the country is at and this is where it is going and there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Talking about her new morning slot, anchor Masego Rahlaga said: “Waking up at the ungodly hour has been tough. I still can’t believe it. It’s so big because I get to start a morning with South Africans. The fact that people wake up at that time and listen to what I have to say and believe that everything I utter is fact, it boggles my mind”.
 “It took me 14 years to get into prime, but maybe for men it takes a shorter time”, she said.
Sharing her journey in the media industry, Annika Larsen said: “I am talking to you in this room not because we are women but because we are hard-working people with integrity. I don’t think we celebrate each other because we’re women but because we are outstanding individuals.” Talking about the reasons why she chose journalism, Investigative journalist Devi Sankaree Govender said: “People are never happy to see me, and I got used to that. With three decades in journalism, you grow a thick skin.
“The reason I chose journalism is because I wanted to be in a country that accommodates and makes magic for all of us”, she continued. “I am happy to throw my life, energy and time behind this because in the end all of us want to leave a legacy, what we all need to aim towards is excellence.