Local face on the TV screen

One thing is certain about Newcastle – we love our locals!

A young man flying the town’s flag high is definitely Siphesihle Vazi, part of a new generation of budding presenters making their mark through popular TV show, Selimathunzi.

The Newcastle Advertiser caught up with the energetic Siphesihle.

Tell us about your childhood growing up in Madadeni.

I grew up like any other ‘kid from the hood’ with multiple nicknames, some good, some bad, for example Mavava, Mvijo and Habana. That was where everybody called me by my last name, Vazi, because of its uniqueness in the area. I was one of those children who went to school in Newcastle and not Madadeni, and that was the only thing which set me apart. Other than that, I’m your typical Kasi boy who loves his hood to death; I was somewhat of a snob but it worked out fine because it was still my home.

Give us a brief overview of your education and qualifications.

I went through a number of schools in my schooling career, starting at Busy Bee Primary in Newcastle, then Dannhauser Primary in Grade 2. I did two years there before I found myself back in Newcastle at Faith Christian School. I started my high school days in Newcastle High School, got scouted for a sports bursary (rugby) in Grade 9 at Ligbron Academy of Technology in Ermelo, along with Thabang Nkosi, Oscar Kunene and Gift Mabaso, and I completed my matric there. I’m currently studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication at the University of Johannesburg.

Explain what you had to do to get to where you are now? What kind opportunities were there for you as a teenager?

As I teenager, I was a sports freak and my life was playing rugby for my school and hoping to go professional like any other rugby fanatic. My dreams fell short when I got a serious knee injury, which would not allow me to pursue my dreams any further.

Provide us a brief history on Selimathunzi and your impression of the show growing up.

I never grew up watching a lot of TV, as most of my life I was in and out of boarding school and day-care centres. However, Selimathunzi was a show I would watch on Saturdays when Kaos Matu and Brown Matsime used to grace our screens (I was a kid!). Those were the days when Selimathunzi would go to the deepest rural areas and biggest/lavish parties – with the rise of Kwaito and many of our established artists today, they helped me put a face to a name so I was never left out of certain conversations at school; I guess that was a plus. I never in a million years thought I would one day be blessed to chant the famous Duku Duku slogan.

What kind of fresh approach will you bring to the show?

Being myself – we are not scripted so it gives us an advantage to show the country who we really are. I think it is the best approach, considering the nature of our show.

How do you feel the audience perceives you?

Well, I try do what I do to the best of my abilities, and some days are better than others. I will leave that to the public to decide, because at the end of the day it’s all about them. Either way, I’m grateful for what I have.

Are you nervous about this big TV appearance?

I ALWAYS get nervous, even if it’s studio links where there is no audience or someone looking at what you are doing. Being in front of the camera never changes. You are speaking to millions of people after all, you’re bound to get nervous. I do believe, however, once that feeling goes away then the passion is lost and I will have to pursue something else, behind the scenes maybe.

What goes on behind the scenes? Is it as exciting and glamorous as people believe?

That is where the magic happens! You can catch behind-the-scenes footage and interviews that didn’t make it onto air at www.selimathunziextra.co.za

When does Selimathunzi air, what time and on what channel? We want locals to tune in and follow you.

We are on air every Tuesday on SABC 1 at 7.30pm and a repeat on Wednesday at 11.30am.

How do you keep up to date with regards to content for the show? Do you utilise social media and how can fans stay in touch?

We always Tweet before the show to let viewers know what’s to come, and we contact the people who are going to appear on that particular show via Twitter and Facebook so they don’t miss out on their Selimathunzi experience. Productions randomly post pictures on Instagram and Twitter while we shoot to let viewers know what we’re up to on a Thursday night for example. We also get our viewer guest presenters and viewers who would like us to attend weddings, Matric farewells and events from our Facebook page.

My social media profiles are as follows: Twitter – @SiphesihleVazi, Instagram – @Siphesihle_Vazi and Facebook – Siphesihle Vazi. Follow the show as well on Twitter -@Selimathunzi, Instagram – @Selimathunzi1 and Facebook – Selimathunzi 2.

Any other information, facts or anecdotes you wish to share?

I would also like to add my interests in agriculture. As part of my presenting, I aim to use this platform to tap into the agricultural sector and practice farming. My business partners and I are in deep discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister, General Bheki Cele and his team on strategies to encourage black youth to go into the agricultural space and do farming. I myself have a particular interest in pig farming – we plan to run this in the near future, competing on a commercial level while also teaching young black farmers the importance of agriculture.