By Obakeng Maje

Every time you listening to the news bulletin, you hear a presentable person behind the mic who constantly keeps you informed about what is happening around the world.

These presentable and knowledgeable professionals are news readers or news presenters. Be it broadcasting from a small news agency or a big one at an international level, the news presenter is the one who has to execute it and give the right information to the people listening.

We sitting with 22 year-old Modimong-born presenter who takes us through his hard-work and that determination which are his keys to succed….so seat back and relax while Valtar FM news achor take us through.

A 22 year old Patrick Otumiseng Sebego is one of the fundemental and determined newreaders at Vaaltar Community Radio station based in Taung,North West.

He was born and bred in Johannesburg in West Rand and is not only a charm looking lad, he also got brain too.

“I was born 22 years ago and went to school at Muldersdrift Laerskool in johannesburg. Then when I was about to do my secondary, I moved back home and matriculated at Pinagare High in Taung” Sebego said.

A vavicious voice lad believe that only education is the key to success. After matric,he went on to study Information Technology(IT) at Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, Free State.

“Education to me is the key or break-away from poverty.So after finishing my matric back in 2008 I decided to further studies” he said.

“Information Technology is one course that I liked.I was so curious about what it is all about and tend to love it” Otumiseng smiles.

“I couldn’t finish my course and I hope to finish off few modules am left with so I can be a now qualified Internet Developer” Sebego said.

We asked him about him move to become a newsreader and what prompted him.

Otumiseng said he has been inspired by the likes of former YFM newsreaders,Thato Moeng and Terrance.

“I was inspired by the most renowned newsreaders out there. l liked the way they sounded while behind the mic” he said.

“I worked as a newsreader for a campus radio and this year in April I approached Vaaltar FM. Fortunately the management loved my talent, as they say the rest is history” Sebego outlines.

He was born from six children and his brother,Zane Sebego is one of the finest presenters at Aganang Fm in Potchefstroom.

Patrick Sebego believe that he will be running his own IT company.

“As a youth do not seatback and say there no jobs and  you end up losing hope. Try something that will change your life at the end of the day” he asserted.

The Skills You Need to become a newsreader.

Being a news anchor demands a number of skills. The first among them is to do away with any form of mic fright.

The career jobs in News Reader is all about the right presentation in front of the camera or on air.

A news reader not only delivers the news but also has to work towards making the viewers/listeners hooked onto the particular channel. Here come the little show business in the profession and one has to have the knack for it.

However, with time and work experience, one can easily learn these things and make it big in the field.

A news reader must also be alert and a quick thinker. Most of the time, the news readers might be reading scripts from the teleprompter or notes that are available.

However, there are times when they have to present news by listening to oral details from the producer. Like for example, in case of breaking news, a pre-written script is not possible.

In such a time, the producer briefs the anchor on the situation and in return the news reader has to inform the viewers/listeners about the matter in a clear, yet concise manner.

Education and Skills Requirements

Generally, to become a news reader, one has to have an under graduate degree in Journalism and mass communication. There isn’t any particular course that is offer to becoming a news reader.

Hence, a degree in Journalism and mass communication becomes mandatory for all.

The aspiring news reader however might join a few institutes that offer a course in news reading.

These might not be enough qualification but still gives an experience of the news setting environment. Apart from this, there are news presenters who have worked as reporters and the gradually move to a news desk. Like all other profession.

Even here, work experience matters the most. One might also look for internships with newspapers or other broadcasting station as it adds to the profile of a Journalist.

Gradually, a news reader gets better and can change from one station to another for getting better work opportunities.

You can listen to Patrick Otumiseng Sebego from Monday-Friday while keeping you captivated about what is going on around the world.

Log in to Vaaltar Fm on 93.6 or http://www.vaaltar.co.za on stream audio.

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