How Thokozani Nkosi and Thabile Ngwato Built A Premier 24-hour TV news Channel Broadcasting in Southern, East, and West Africa
In 2019, Thokozani Nkosi and Thabile Ngwato founded Newzroom Afrika, a premier 24-hour TV news channel broadcasting in Southern, East, and West Africa. The channel has quickly gained a reputation for its quality reporting, extensive coverage, and its commitment to telling African stories from an African perspective.
Thokozani Nkosi brought over 17 years of experience as a broadcasting executive and entrepreneur to the project. He had previously founded a 24/7 television channel on the Starsat platform in 2010, and under his leadership, Eclipse and Toxmedia had remained profitable year on year, regardless of market conditions in the media industry. With his deep media sector knowledge and business acumen, Nkosi was well-equipped to lead the launch of Newzroom Afrika.
Thabile Ngwato, on the other hand, had spent almost a decade in broadcasting as a reporter, producer, and anchor, both on television and radio. She brought her expertise in journalism and her passion for storytelling to the project, with a particular focus on gender equity and transforming the media landscape. Ngwato’s achievements, including being the first woman in South Africa to own a commercial television news channel, have earned her recognition and respect within the industry.
Together, Nkosi and Ngwato were able to build a team of experienced journalists and broadcasters who shared their vision for a news channel that would deliver high-quality reporting and engage with its audience in a meaningful way. They worked tirelessly to secure the funding, equipment, and personnel needed to launch the channel, and in April 2019, Newzroom Afrika went live on DSTV channel 405.
Since then, the channel has made a significant impact on the African media landscape. It has provided in-depth coverage of major events, including elections, protests, and natural disasters, and has brought attention to important issues affecting people across the continent. The channel has also provided a platform for voices that are often overlooked by mainstream media, including women, young people, and those from marginalized communities.
In addition to its commitment to quality journalism, Newzroom Afrika has also set itself apart with its innovative use of technology. The channel has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and has leveraged social media and other digital platforms to engage with its audience in real-time. This has allowed the channel to build a loyal following and to remain relevant in an ever-changing media landscape.
Thokozani Nkosi and Thabile Ngwato’s vision and leadership have been critical to the success of Newzroom Afrika. Their dedication to quality journalism and their commitment to telling African stories from an African perspective have made a significant contribution to the media industry and to the wider society. As the channel continues to grow and evolve, it is clear that Nkosi and Ngwato will remain at the forefront of this exciting and important initiative.
