Mzikayise Ndlovu : Jack of all trades who is mastering all

JACK OF ALL TRADES MASTERING ALL

I RECENTLY FOUND A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE - RADIO KHWEZI (MORNING STAR IN ZULU), A COMMUNITY RADIO STATION IN THE HEART OF KWAZULU-NATAL THAT DRAWS TALENT FROM THE COMMUNITY.

Mzisi authored eight books and one has been prenominated in the first annual Book Behind Awards (eThekwini initiative).

MZISI AUTHORED EIGHT BOOKS AND ONE HAS BEEN PRENOMINATED IN THE FIRST ANNUAL BOOK BEHIND AWARDS (ETHEKWINI INITIATIVE). H is full name is Mzikayise Ndlovu, but after becoming friends, I call him Mzisi because life is too short for long names”. His giggle at my remark is confirmation of his good sense of humour, and his eagerness to become better at all he does is evident for all to see.

Mzisi is a very talented youngster who joined the radio station in 2008. He fulfils many roles at the station but being a presenter is top of his list. He likes to help where he can and even works in the garden at the radio station when the gardener does not turn up! He is a passionate writer, and he glowed as he explained how much he enjoys writing scripts for the station. He has also authored eight books already! He was recently notified that he has been prenominated in the first annual Book Behind Awards - an eThekwini initiative.

This man is an inspiration and an hour in his company is so uplifting! His life experiences include taking care of his family’s cattle as a young boy because his parents could not pay school fees; struggling to attend and finish school due to an endless lack of finances; working in other people’s gardens to get money to further his schooling; starting primary school and finishing two grades in one year; and eventually ending up at Radio Khwezi as a guest when he was in Grade 11. Here he could demonstrate his passion for drama, poetry, acting, and presenting. The Kranskop Primary School recently bestowed the ”The Heroes Teacher’s Award” upon him. Mzisi also shared his love of photography with me and left me a voicemail, “I would love to become involved with a magazine such as Devoted, especially to take photos.” So, I took him around one day to explore the potential, and I was amazed at his performance – I am convinced he is a world-class photographer in the making. And I would like to be part of his journey!

It is not easy for people from impoverished rural communities to break the cycle. But Mzisi is living proof that it is possible if you put your mind to it. He did not give up on his studies, and despite hardships, he finished school, became a teacher, and later joined Radio Khwezi permanently.

Mzisi is especially thankful to Radio Khwezi’s management for allowing local community members to showcase their talents. His work at the station has allowed him to create a foundation that helps other impoverished, talented youngsters with school registration fees and uniforms. Two of his many outreach projects include a poetry competition and a spelling competition. This is his way of paying it forward and helping the next generation develop their God-given talents. “But it is all for God’s glory”, says the humble young man. “If I see my neighbour happy, then it is when I am happy.”

The value of community radio stations lies in the fact that it improves the livelihood of the community members it operates in. It plays a significant role at a grassroots level for rural development. It speaks to its listeners in their language, helps to build a sense of community and, most importantly, informs and uplifts its listeners. Radio Khwezi is a success story and lives up to its motto, “Changing lives, giving hope”.

BY GERDA POTGIETER

(THIS ARTICLE ALSO APPEARED IN THE DEVOTED ONLINE MAGAZINE)

RADIO KHWEZI

IS A NON-PROFIT RADIO STATION THAT HAS ITS ROOTS IN SERVING THE RURAL COMMUNITIES. THEY ARE ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL AND LARGEST RURAL COMMUNITY RADIO STATIONS; THEY SERVE THE NORTH COAST AND KWAZULU-NATAL MIDLANDS AND BROADCAST TO MORE THAN 100,000 LISTENERS.

THE STATION IS BASED AT THE KWASIZABANTU MISSION AND RECEIVES TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM THE MISSION. VISIT WWW.KHWEZI.ORG.ZA.

“Changing lives, giving hope

Radio Khwezi

MZIKAYISE (MZISI) NDLOVU, PRESENTER AT RADIO KWEZI

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