Durban — As we close off Women’s Month we celebrate uKhozi FM’s phenomenal business manager, Nokuthula Sibongiseni Ngcobo.
Ngcobo said she was always in leadership positions growing up and that is what has sharpened her into the woman she is today.
Ngcobo said her love for radio stems from its impact and the immediacy of it, as it is like that “non-intrusive friend you can take anywhere with you”, she said.
Her academic achievement range from doing her BA in Media Studies, majoring in English and Marketing, at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, to doing her Honours in Cultural Media Studies at the same university.
She also holds a People Management Certificate from GIBS, an Essentials of Digital Media Management Certificate from Rhodes University, as well as a level 3 Sales qualification from Mick McCormick Training.
Streaming from KwaDukuza, Ngcobo said she has always been passionate and curious about the media.
Having worked at British American Tobacco where she was a consumer relations amplifier (marketer), Gagasi FM and the Durban Film Office, among other places, her experience is truly broad.
“My time at Gagasi is a true definition of when opportunity meets preparedness.
“The bug bit and I knew that this was the industry I wanted to be in and grow in.
“After leaving Gagasi I moved to the SABC as marketing manager of a youth station based in the Eastern Cape called trufm,” she said.
Ngcobo said that as much as she is proud of what she has accomplished personally and professionally, leading Ukhozi FM is her greatest accomplishment, and seeing it change lives has been “top tier” for her.
“I think leading Ukhozi FM from 7.2 million listeners to 8 million in four years is a definite highlight.
“I am also extremely proud to be part of a brand that is so concerned with the well-being of its listeners.
“This is evident in the campaigns that we did to assist businesses after the KZN lootings as well as the housing project we are currently busy with to assist those who were left homeless or with dilapidated homes during the floods,” she said.
She added that most of the challenges she faces are due to her being a woman and being so young. She said these challenges can be easily overcome by her and the station’s output.
“I think my work speaks for itself and this puts many people at ease.
“Another challenge is losing my anonymity. I think Ukhozi FM is the only station where people are concerned with the person running the station. Most other stations only focus on the presenters, who are the famous ones,” she added.
Ngcobo said her future plans include using all the skills she has acquired in the radio industry to open her own consultancy where she can create sales/marketing/programming strategies for radio stations that are either starting out or struggling in certain areas.
Ngcobo encouraged young girls by saying: “Find out who you are; what you like and what you are good at. Do not let anyone else dictate those things to you. It is in discovering who we truly are that we can become the best versions of ourselves and excel in anything that we set our minds to.
“Ensure that your inner voice is your own and it speaks positive affirmations to you daily, this will keep you positive and motivated,” she said.
Daily News