“This is an industry that you will never survive if you are not passionate about what you do and who you work with. My passion for Television Broadcasting. My passion for football and the people I work with keeps me going,” said the current Football Production Manager at Supersport International, Zodumo Maphumulo following her inclusion in the prestigious Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans.
The Mail and Guardian’s annual feature of eminent 200 Young South Africans has become a hallmark of the South African calendar, and is now in its 13th year. A listing in the 200 Young South Africans supplement is now a feature of the best CVs in the country.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Journalism programme Alumna said she is honoured by this remarkable accolade. “To be part of the chosen 200 from a whopping 6000 nominations nationwide, indeed this is a huge accomplishment for me. I am hoping it will open a few more doors for me in the near future. After all this is not just any list…it’s THE list,” she said excitedly.
She believes that her ability to tell her unique story about her humble beginnings and her journey to where she is today, is possibly what gave her the edge. “I guess the impression I have made on certain individuals, peers, and colleagues within my field, they saw it fit to have me nominated as trailblazing future leader,” she said.
In her 11-year stint with Supersport she has worked on some of prestigious international tournaments including the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa / FIFA 2017 Confederation Cup and the FIFA 2018 Football World Cup in Russia. She is currently working on the AFCON 2019 Egypt production.
The hardworking Maphumulo said despite the demanding nature of her job, she always enjoys the challenge that it presents to her because she very passionate about what she does. “I work within the Live Television Broadcast industry, which can be extremely time demanding and challenging. As it is a forever changing work environment. So I would say I enjoy exactly that, constantly being challenged with new projects, new events and tournaments. I also enjoy working with people as a Production Manager you are pretty much the nucleus of a production or a project so relating well with people is a good skill to possess,” she stressed.
She added that she would like to broaden her experience even further within international sporting federations such as FIFA, CAF or international broadcasters such as Sky Sports, ESPN and Fox Sports.
She urged aspiring and upcoming media professionals never to be intimidated by the prestige and demands of the industry. “Working within a male dominated industry has always driven me to work harder, do better and push the glass ceiling even further. So my advice to any young female and male potentials out there is that ‘don’t let fear get in the way of your success’,” she advised.
Pictured: Zodumo Maphumulo.
Nduduzo Ndlovu
