Victor is poised for success

POLOKWANE – This is the advice that ANN7 presenter and former Capricorn Voice editor, Victor Magwedze has for aspiring journalists.

Born in Limpopo and growing up in Giyani, Venda, as well as Polokwane, Victor says he never expected to land a reporting role on television.

He was initially not really interested in journalism, but rather in writing – a passion he got from his father, who was a writer.

“My dad was a writer and that got me interested, so when the time came to choose a career, I figured that journalism would give me an opportunity to write.”

After studying at the Tshwane University of Technology, Victor started his career at the Northern Media Group (NMG) as an intern. Still young, he was excited, and together with his passion for writing, he became a freelancer.

“NMG did not have a position for me at the end of my internship, but they did not want to let me go and so I became a freelance journalist.”

That was just the beginning. A couple of years down the line, he landed the position of Capricorn Voice editor.

After serving the people’s paper well, he moved to Working on Fire, before moving to Johannesburg.

Victor was approached by ANN7 and began working there in June 2015, where he got involved in broadcasting.

Working for a big company such as ANN7, he says was daunting at first, but he thrives off the adventure that is broadcasting and the challenges that come with it.

Transitioning from a smaller company was challenging, he says.

NMG is more like one big family where everybody knows everybody and you end up celebrating all together, whereas ANN7 is much larger and you work with a much bigger team, but it has broadened my mind and it is a great place to work for.

Victor says the most rewarding part of his job is not just getting the job done, but getting to help people and the recognition thereof.

“Once I know that I’ve exceeded in doing my job properly, I feel rewarded.”

He says the best advice he’s received came from his cousin. “He told me I have the tools within me to achieve whatever I want.”

Being a family man, Victor says his wife and son are his biggest motivation and he will always try and push the envelope when it comes to providing for them.

When he isn’t reporting, you will most likely find Victor writing and that has also opened his love for music which has led to songwriting and he has also found an interest in gospel rap. His other interests include cricket and staying fit and Victor also has his own church.

In five years, Victor says he sees himself growing in the broadcasting industry and holding a high end position either nationally or internationally and bettering himself and his skills within the industry. Very modest, Victor says he still finds it strange when people recognise him in the field having seen him on television, “I don’t see myself as a celebrity so it’s weird when people call my name in the street.”

To aspiring journalists and students wanting to enter the field, he says it is important to invest in yourself. He says the industry can be tough with the long hours and one tends to forget about what’s important because you’re always chasing the next story or you’re too focused on your job.

He encourages prospectives to read more and to be physically, mentally and spiritually in tune with yourself.