In Conversation with Velani Ludidi
After a well-considered choice with amazing and talented alumnus who rose under the wing of Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the name Velani Ludidi had long rang louder in my ears. He is a Journalism graduate and I have made a request via email to do an interview with him particularly about his personal life and career. He gladly accepted my request and invited me to send my questions right away and the rest follows:
I have been following your work and when you were still at CPUT, you are brave and inspiring. Is Journalism something you always wanted to do while growing up? “Thank you!” He said, then continued, “I think I have always wanted to be a journalist. While growing up we used to have a camera at home which I would use to take pictures and print them. I would write what was happening in the picture on an A4 paper. I didn’t think it was journalism at the time. Also, it is worth noting that I’m quite a passionate person. I became a journalist before I got my qualification. I was working fulltime as a journalist while studying at CPUT.”
One thing I’m certain about is that journalists should be current of what’s happening around the world. How do you stay informed about news and current events?
“I’m in a lot of community WhatsApp and Facebook groups which have daily updates on what is happening on the ground. I socialise a lot with people on Facebook and Twitter (Facebook mostly). My social media profile represents me as a journalist and an individual. I have not created a page because I want people to speak to me directly (people enjoy interacting with people). Social media is one of the best places to get news and stay informed.”
What would you say is most challenging about your career?
“This is a difficult one, but I think for now the challenge is psychological. If you have been following for some time you would notice that I cover hard news which sometimes affects me mentally. Help is there but as time goes you become numb so much that you do not feel the help. It is something that you have to deal with alone and spiritually. I get attached to my stories and I think that is affecting me.”
Currently, journalism is under transformation and we have seen organisations closing down. What advice would you give to those who plan a career in Journalism?
“If your heart is not there, don’t do it. We are subjected to mediocre journalism because of people who are just there for the money or glory. We are writing about people’s lives, that alone should make one take it seriously. Also, get the skills. Be a photographer, videographer, journalist in one so that when you get a job you bring a set of skills, not just a writer. The media is shrinking for a person to only have one skill.”
What major news stories would you like to cover and why?
“We call it a beat (what is your beat). I like human right stories, holding those in power accountable. My journalism is also activism, I give voice to the voiceless and fight for the marginalized. I do this because I want to bring hope, peace to people’s lives”
What keeps you motivated in such a challenging field?
“To be honest it is my passion. My love for the craft keeps me going. I eat and breathe news.”
Are you involved in any community activities or organisations?
“Yes, I am part of HOPE (Helping Others Prosper Effectively). I have just stepped down as the chairperson of the organisation as I cannot give it my full attention."
How does a successful day look like to you?
"Getting all my stories in before the deadline. I have to do three stories each day."
Do you have any hobbies outside journalism?
"I play soccer whenever I can. I am trying to start running now, do marathons.”
What are the political or social issues you feel passionate about?
“Poverty, blacks are poor and for me, that is a topic we should always cover. It cannot be normal that more than half of the population is living below the poverty line. Crime is another issue which is connected to poverty. All these are man-made, capitalists when they want to they can decide to end poverty, but they do not want to.”
How do you keep balance in your work and personal life?
“Use my strengths and try not to be superman. I always try to prioritize my time and make my workspace work for me.”
What’s your favourite weekend activity?
“It is between spending time with my five-year-old son and get together with friends.”
Who is your strength in your life?
“I think it is being curious, with that comes with wanting to know which leads to reading the discovery.”
What’s that one thing people don’t know about you?
"I’m a loner, I spend most of my time alone.”
How does your life look like in 5 years?
“A grown journalist with a successful business on the side."
Do you have a role model you aspire to?
“My late dad is my role model. He was not perfect, but the man lived his life. He never wanted successful children but happy children.”
What defines a funny moment for you?
“That is a difficult one, I really do not know.”
What would you say is most rewarding about your career?
“Changing people’s lives. When that family that lived in a shack with no food and you go there, after the article they get a house. That man who has lived almost his whole life without an ID due to glitches in the system. You write the story, and he gets his ID. To me that is enough, I smile because I know I had an impact on someone’s life.”
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
“I would like to visit Greece one day."
Where did you grow up?
"Between Cape Town and Eastern Cape”
What is the next skill would you like to incorporate with your career and why?
“I would like to be a better videographer and video editor.”
“When was your first career break and how did you feel? There are three breaks which made the journalist I am today. First, it was back after high school when we started our local newspaper. Then it was when I started working for our local newspaper in 2015. Same here I started with the Daily Sun.”
Do you have any regrets about your chosen career and why?
“I do not have any regrets.” Though I would have loved to meet in person, understood the suddenness of my request and can only hope that the next interview will be in person. You can already see why I chose him though I hope he had more time for more questions. I should confess that he’s one I look up to and track his foot prints, the world needs more like him.
Ends/ 1200 words
