Celebrities, influencers and media personalities gathered at Aurum in Sandton yesterday morning for the official launch of a new Nguni language news and weather information service powered by Newzroom Afrika and hosted on Mzansi Wethu (DStv Channel 163).
Mzansi Wethu’s first IsiZulu and IsiXhosa language news bulletin, Izindaba Zethu/ Iindaba Zethu, will broadcast daily from 27 February at 19:00 CAT.
Passing the torch to a new generation of Nguni-language broadcast journalists, the iconic and much-loved Dr Noxolo Grootboom will make a brief return to the screen for the launch period, before continuing as the service’s Nguni News Mentor and Editorial Adviser.
She will be taking a line-up of seasoned broadcasters and journalists under her wing, including Lisakhanya Pepe as the IsiXhosa anchor, Thabile Mbhele, isiZulu anchor, Dicksy Mdlalose, IsiZulu weather anchor, Thabile Makapela, IsiXhosa weather anchor, Pumza Sikumbe, IsiXhosa sign language interpreter, and Khethukuthula Makoatsane, IsiZulu sign language interpreter.
The service will broadcast in isiZulu on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, in isiXhosa on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and alternate both languages on Sundays. Newzroom Afrika CEO Thabile Ngwato said the launch of the new service was a significant next step for Newzroom Afrika as the channel diversified its language offerings.
“We pride ourselves on putting our viewers at the centre of the news, and there is no better way to achieve this than broadcasting in two of our country’s most spoken languages. We are truly honoured to have Dr Grootboom on our team as she continues to pave the way for the next generation of broadcasters,” said Ngwato.
MultiChoice Director for Local Entertainment Channels, Shirley Adonisi, said the addition of the new news platform would offer a greater diversity of views and promote a broader understanding of events affecting the country.
“We are excited to provide another platform for news that is reliable and relevant, accurate and fair, in languages understood by more than 50% of South Africa’s population,” she said.
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