Pic: (Beautiful Freaky Fredah Tlhapane)

By Obakeng Maje

South Africa just commemorated Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.

The Government of South Africa declared August a women’s month and 09 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, many women have made significant progress in empowering themselves in the spheres of politics, the public sector and education, but most notable in media industry.

The country has moved from the past where women suffered oppression based on their gender, colour and class to one where gender equality is now a constitutional imperative.

Our crew took time to speak to one of glittering women thus far, Motsweding FM’s one and only Fredah Tlhapane.

Motsweding FM Senior Producer in Education, Tlhapane has thrown herself into an ecstatic whirl of success, so stay plugged into this and experience it when it unfolds.

Motsweding FM senior producer,Fredah Tlhapane is a hardworking woman from Madidi in the outskirts of Pretoria.

“I was born in Mmakau next to Garankuwa and I’m in my late tweenties.I’m from a family of 3 girls and 2 boys” Tlhapane said.

It was Freaky Fredah’s dream as she is affectionately known to the masses that one day she will be working for one of the biggest radio stations in South Africa.

Fredah Tlhapane realised her dream back in 2007 when she maneuvered her way into Motsweding FM’s radar after she went through auditions.

“It was through auditions which were held in Rustenburg in a search of presenters back in 2007 and managed to be part of the top three presenters” she said.

“I’m living my dream and it is good to be part of MotswedingFM family” Tlhapane adds.

Armed with National Diploma in(Media Studies & Journalism) also studying towards B-TECH degree, Fredah does not show only beautiful face, but armoured with brain too.

“I’m now doing my B-TECH with Tshwane University of Technology and I have National diploma in Journalism. Education is a key to success and it opens opportunities, it gives one the edge into any form of career” she said.

Tlhapane said to become a radio personality one must be Opinionated,Smart,Funny,Informative,Creative and Be Outspoken.

She started as an On-Air presenter and now working as a Senior Producer we asked her to talk us through the role of senior producer and she has this to say: “As a senior producer, you lead, manage and supervise a team of producers and ensuring quality control/ meet set standards through continual monitoring of produced educational programmes and making sure that the mandate of SABC meets the rest of the world through different programme areas”

Tlhapane also talks about behind-the-scenes anaecdotes and challenges.

“Not really challenges,but knowing that you’re contributing to the bigger picture of SABC makes you to work even harder” she giggles.

Any new projects you’re working on, our crew asked?

Tlhapane said she is working on a project where she donating food and clothes to the less fortunate but her focus is an old age and children center in Garakuwa since the beginning of this year.

In a very lighter note, Fredah said she chose radio because of her passion.

“I chose radio because I have that love for content and if I was not into radio, I could be contributing to conversations, daily news. I could be writing for newspapers, books and magazines” she said.

In your opinion, what’s your take on South Africa as a country?

“It is alive with possibilities especially for young generations to live their dreams”

Tlhapane also encourages youngsters and said they must remain positive no matter what.

“Your voice should be heard and remain positive”.

Unemployment, drugs, crime, sex, and alcohol are most rife against the youth nowaday…what’s your take?

“They should not give up on life, each and everyone of us have a purpose in life”

In 2011,Tlhapane was left crestfallen after she lost her mother…and as if that was not enough she also lost her father two months ago. Our crew asked Fredah how she coped after her world was shattered and left despondent.

“My world was shattered but life has to go on and losing again my dad two months ago made me realize that MODIMO KE ENA MONG WA BOPHELO. What is left for me is to take every lesson they taught me about life and apply it. They were the best parents I had” she said.

Fredah said she want to establish an orphanage home in her name in five years time.

For every woman with need to be healed, a need to beloved, a need to be saved….Fredah said she is not married, but she is seeing someone.

If you can become a president for a day, what you will change?

“I will make sure that there are laws which protect women against all forms of abuse and also making sure that there is no child who should sleep with an empty stomach” said Tlhapane.

Our crew asked Fredah if her friends treat her better, or special because of your achievements and she responded.

“They love me for who i am, not for what I have achieved. They support me unconditionally”

She also shared her experience on how it is working in a male-dominated field, any challenges she experienced because of being a woman.

“Not yet, they are very much supportive because radio is more concentrated into making things happen, team work is key” she concludes.-TDN

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*You can listen to Motsweding Fm only on 89.9-109.9 MHZ or listen to their audio streaming on http://www.motswedingfm.co.za