By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West University (Mafikeng campus) has today bestowed an honorary doctorate to the renowned broadcaster and former SABC newsreader, Masego Ezekiel Matjila. The NWU said in a statement that Matjila has demonstrated significant dedication in promoting the Setswana language at the SABC.
“He started his career more than 30 years ago as an on-air radio personality for Radio Setswana, which later became Motsweding FM after merging with Radio Mmabatho. During this time, he also managed the archives for Radio Setswana, the Afrikaans Service, Radio Ndebele (Ikwekwezi FM), and Radio Swazi (Ligwalagwala FM).
“His exceptional broadcasting skills and language proficiency, led to his appointment as a Setswana sports commentator for SABC Topsport (SABC Sports). He was later seconded to the News department, where he worked as a Sesotho, Sepedi and Setswana prime-time news presenter from 1993 until his retirement in 2021.”
The university further said Matjila also served as a bulletin editor and executive producer. It added that he advocated for more multi-lingual youth programmes on SABC2, noting that Setswana, Sepedi, and Sesotho-speaking youth were underrepresented.
“Matjila’s efforts at the SABC earned him numerous awards, including Best News Writer (SABC, 2008) and Commentator of the Year: AFCON 1996.
“His contributions to South African society, particularly in promoting the Sesotho, Sepedi, and Setswana languages in broadcasting, are noteworthy. The honorary doctorate from the NWU recognises these significant contributions.”
Matjila said: “I am so humbled to receive this kind of accolade. I am so happy and I wish I could jump in joyous celebration.”
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi congratulated Matjila for his impeccable work in promoting Setswana in broadcast media and in particular news. Mokgosi said Bra Eazy as Matjila is affectionately known in the news and communications fraternity, grew up at Mogotlhwaneng village, near Moretele and joined SABC in the early 80’s as an on air presenter for the erstwhile Radio Setswana.
“After the country’s democratic breakthrough, the latter was merged with then Radio Mmabatho culminating in the formation of Motsweding Fm broadcasting from the provincial capital of the North West Province, Mahikeng.
“During this period, Dr Matjila transitioned to a Television News Anchor on SABC 2, where he also served as an Executive Producer and Editor for the Setswana, Sesotho and Sepedi bulletins until his retirement in 2021,” he said.
Mokgosi said Matjila is credited for his proficiency in Setswana, where he also used folklore and allegory in many of the news stories he broadcast. He said Matjila’s claims in promotion for the Setswana language in the mainstream media was meticulous.
“As the province, we congratulate Dr Matjila on this important accolade. He played an instrumental role in keeping us abreast of the developments in the country and abroad through a language that we can understand.
“With a career spanning over three decades, we maintain that Dr Matjila served the country with distinction. Part of the nation building project after 1994 was equitable representation of all languages and cultures in our public broadcaster,” said Mokgosi.
He said broadcasters like Matjila, were torch bearers in seeing to the success of this project and for that, they thank him. Mokgosi said Dr Matjila is expected to be one of his guests of honour at the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in the next few days.
The Guardian 