TV PRODUCER and director Nono Xaba believes hard work, prayer and pursuing a purpose is what got her this far in life.
The 37-year-old from Port Shepstone, KZN, has been working for SuperSport TV since 2007 and has since made a name for herself in sports broadcasting.
Working in a position previously occupied manily by men, Nono has produced many notable games for the channel, including the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
She recently directed the outside broadcast of the Banyana Banyana vs Tanzania game.
Nono, who was awarded the GSport Women in TV of the Year Award in 2022, said she was promoted after years working as a freelance EVS operator and junior producer.
“A producer’s role is overseeing the editorial of a production. The producer comes up with a vision that everyone in the team collaborates to turn it into reality.
“Duties include planning, communicating with team members, drafting running orders, establishing relationships with key stakeholders, working with the director to bring the vision to life, postproduction, etc,” she said.
ALSO READ | Sundowns player faces assault charges
Nono said she's delighted that many women occupy leadership positions in the industry.
“Every industry comes with challenges such as intimidation and competition. I guess human beings struggle with change, especially when they see women in a space they think is reserved only for men.
“I don’t have time to nurse those insecurities. I’m much more than my gender. I’m creative, a human being. I don’t apologise for being a woman, I actually love who I am,” she said.
Outside of her TV world, Nono is also an entrepreneur, running two small businesses called Salt and Light and VX Events and Logistics.
“Take good care of yourself and constantly do things that fill your own cup while in pursuit of greater things."
In addition, Nono studied for a National Diploma in Video Technology at Durban University of Technology, was a project manager for the MultiChoice Diski Challenge in 2014, director for the 2023 Quad Series and project manager for the 2023 Netball World Cup.
