Basetsana Rivombo, a presenter at community radio station Vhembe FM, is carving out a name for herself in local broadcasting. Rivombo's show, Ndilo Muthathe, airs weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00.
Rivombo, who is originally from Mpheni, holds a diploma in journalism from Boston College. She began her radio career in 2010 at Makhado FM, where she worked until 2020. After a short break, she resumed her broadcasting journey with Vhembe FM in 2023.
Her passion for media began early as she wrote and recited poetry in class. "As I grew older, I fell in love with broadcasting," she said.
Her current show combines phone-ins and face-to-face interactions, but she mostly engages with her listeners through the station's Facebook page. "What the show has taught me is that one should be friendly at all times. That way, listeners always find you and your show interesting. My aim is to elevate the station's profile, making it trend and grow in popularity through my social-media streams. I also have dreams of working for one of the country's major stations, either the SABC or a private radio station," Rivombo shared.
She recognises that radio is constantly evolving and emphasises the importance of staying informed. "As a presenter, it is essential to listen to the radio, read newspapers and magazines, and watch television to stay updated on global news. Since I'm working for a community station, I also ensure that I provide a lot of local content for my listeners," she added.
Rivombo advises aspiring presenters to be passionate about their work. "If you join the radio industry for fame, you're on the wrong path. Do what you love most to find peace of mind. For me, my love for radio is everything, and I never feel dragged to work," she said.