Her name says it all - Thami Ngubeni.
Whether it is on radio or TV, she's one of the most recognisable faces and voices.
So it's hard to imagine that after years in the spotlight, she still has firsts.
But even for Thami Ngubeni, there can be new experiences. The seasoned broadcaster just got her first breakfast TV show on eNCA.
Her Monday this week started at 3am, where she made her way through Hyde Park to get to the studio. She did her wardrobe, hair, and makeup and met her new co-host, whom she describes as a gentleman because he made sure she was taken care of and even got her a new coffee mug in the morning.
She's now going to be the face that greets South Africa and gives them their morning current affairs and news stories.
The award-winning radio presenter and film producer Thami Ngobeni is the new co-anchor for eNCA’s morning show.
She started with news at the beginning of her career in the 90s when she was a news anchor on Metro FM.
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“My career has been quite multi-faceted. I have done inspirational work. I have produced and hosted entertainment, which is part of the travel shows I have produced. The presenting, the acting. And I have also done current affairs news. As a producer, I have produced documentaries and topical and social issues, and I was once a news anchor. I have done different areas of media and communication, so there was never a time or chance for me to transition to anything because I have been doing this all my life.”
The renowned broadcaster tells Drum that joining the news channel was a no-brainer because it is a news channel that she enjoys watching, especially its insights and coverage.
“It is something that I didn’t have to contemplate too much. The timing on my side was also right, it worked well for both sides. I have other business that I do, so doing the morning show is great because after it, I can do my other work as a film producer.”
She says she feels she has done it all in her career, concurrently but in different phases. Creating and curating content, engaging with leaders and captains of the industry whether it is in business, politics, social affairs, or spirituality, religion and personal development.
“I have curiosity for life, people, and events, and that may be at the heart of why I transition from different mediums. Also, I have done press as well, being an editor for Oprah magazine and publishing a book as well. My career has been quite varied over the decades.”
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Thami got into the industry when she was a teenager. She was once part of Generations and hosted a TV show before she went overseas to study film. She says loving what she does is the reason why she is driven and is still able to wake up and do what she loves for a living.
“My foundation is my relationship with God. In everything that I do that is the source of my strength, rejuvenation, and any sort of wisdom and proficiency that is my guiding light. I believe that when you do the work that you love, is meaningful to you, and seems to align with an area of your gifting, it is organic. It does, however, take effort and time because you need to prepare, remain inquisitive, and ask the questions that matter. You must constantly up your game and never be complaisance and never take things for granted.”
She says that is why she doesn’t any take opportunity given to her for granted because she respects the platform and the people that she delivers the news for and being the new co-anchor, she knows what is expected of her and she will give them the best that they deserve.
