MEET MASTER NOLWAZI

Nolwazi Machi considers herself extremely lucky to have been given an opportunity to study and then finding herself in career that was to see her host the World Commonwealth Games, before Durban withdrew its winning bid earlier in 2017.

“I grew up in the rural village of KwaDweshula, in a very impoverished household, I walked to school barefoot. I used to stay with anyone who happened to be at home as my parents had separated, yet my mother encouraged me to study, mostly by making sure that I had everything I needed for school. So when my high school teacher Mrs Masondo presented me with an opportunity to study anything I liked, journalism made sense and she encouraged me, knowing what type of a student I was.”

Fortunate then suffered a temporary setback when her beloved teacher relocated to Johannesburg just before her studies were to begin. “I struggled to find a place to live and I almost dropped out, it was the most painful thing as I could already see the light at the end of the tunnel. A senior student saw me cry and took me to one of our lecturers, Tara Turkington, who sent me to the Financial Aid Offices. I had already applied for NSFAS so they took my file and sent me to the Residence Office. Within two days, I was given keys to the Lonsdale Hotel Residence.”

Machi was then more determined than ever to succeed in anything she set her mind to. “DUT was to me a symbol of hope, it changed my life and presented to me with an opportunity to see the world in a different way. It reassured me that I seriously could become anything I chose to be. I remember how we used to sit under the middle tree at City Campus, The Tree of Knowledge, and eat hot chips with green sauce and bread. I miss the educational walkabout and trips we took to Bat Centre because they provided free lunch” reminisced the impassioned broadcaster.

Soon after completing her studies, Nolwazi Machi began an internship at The Oprah Magazine SA in Cape Town, which she calls a tough learning curve that taught her much. She then went on to enjoy many career successes, including the use of her poetry in the Grade 12 school’s literature syllabus, working for SABC Sports during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and her current job as a sports producer and presenter on Ukhozi FM, and if the Commonwealth Games did come to Durban, Machi would have secured a presenting stint. She does, however, understand the reason for the country pulling out.

“As someone who observed the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I can understand the government’s decision to withdraw, games take a lot of money and in this case they needed more than the initial budget. The country is not in a good financial standing and we have crises such as the call of free education to deal with, so it would have not made sense. On the other hand, I understand why people like Chad Le Clos were devastated because this would have given them the chance to shine at an international event, right in front of their people.”

Maintaining Machi’s levels of success translates into hard work for this mum of three preschool-aged boys who must apply herself in a male dominated industry, while still caring for her young family. To do so, Nolwazi works from the moment she opens her eyes to the second she closes them after her final bulletin past 10pm each week night. Still continues to stretch herself by not only pursuing many other of her ideas, but also really living by her life’s motto of “do good, and goodness follows you”

Nozi is also 'Masters in Creative Writing' holder, she obtained this qualification form Rhodes University in Eastern Cape and that is why her close friends call her "Master Nolwazi". 

She has done so well for her self in this writing industry as you may recall yourself enjoying a famous 'mama liphi igama lami' poem and many other back in your high school days.

"How blessed I am to be chosen to participate in the very first ever #StateIVLP Women's Empowerment Through Sports Journalism program through the #USEmbassySA, akukona ukuhlakanipha nokwazi kwami, this is God taking over and saying, "don't ever doubt yourself my Nolwazi, you are walking exactly where I intended for you to walk.""

Nolwazi highlighting her followers on Facebook about her trip to the United States back in 2019.

Among other things Nolwazi excels at is event organizing as she and her team has successfully organized and hosted big events such as "Dlams Soccer Tournament & Maskandi Music Festival" as well as "Tshatha Music Festival" under Rare Touch banner. 

Be sure to look for her book Isithombe Sepasi from book shops, you won't regret or alternatively buy it directly from her. 

On the 18th of July 2021 Nolwazi is going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro be sure to keep in touch. 

Nolwazi Machi or @NolwaziMachi across all social media sites. 

-Ends