| Journalism of
courage
Betty Mkwasa
I get so upset these days when I see young women journalists dress in disco
clothes in press conferences. It is pathetic. May be I am too conservative,
to me journalism is a discipline how you talk, what you wear, the way you
present yourself, it is all part of the discipline.
One of the few women journalists in the country who dared to venture the
arena which was considered a male bastion, Betty Mkwasa has had a dominating
presence in the media for past 20 years. A strong woman with self confidence
Betty won international recognition for her programme on Victims of HIV/
AIDS in 2003 and became a source of inspiration to many young girls aspiring
to be journalists in the country. On her 15th wedding anniversary, Betty
shared her experiences what it takes to be successful as a woman journalist
in the country in an exclusive interview with The Express
The Express: You are one of the most admired women in the society, how
do you feel about it?
Betty: Makes me feel happy, I never thought I would get so many
admirers and that people would accept me as I am.
The Express: How did you start working as a journalist?
Betty: I started as a radio presenter in Radio Tanzania in 1984, at that
time one had to go through three months of radio production training before
going on air. After the training I was given cards to read greetings before
actually starting to read news.
The Express: Is being a woman an obstacle to you as a journalist?
Betty: Never, the assignments that one thought only a man could do I
did it and I did it well.
The Express: You are one of the few women to break the shackles and come out
on the television in the 1990’s. Did you have to face any criticisms?
Betty: It was quite contrary in fact. Back in the village, people
treated me like a celebrity.
The Express: There has been a long-standing accusation towards the women in
media that they buy their success through sexual favours. As a trained
journalist how do you see this issue?
Betty: I can’t identify with it personally but I have heard this from
the girls. I have only one advice for young female journalists, have a stand
in life, do your job well and it will sell. You just need to be confident
about it.
The Express: Why did you choose journalism, was it childhood dream?
Betty: Oh yes. I always liked announcing on the microphone as a
child. I had my favourite announcer for the children’s programme on Radio
Tanzania, Deborah Mwenda, I would imitate her and record my voice on a tape
recorder.
The Express: How did you feel when you were live on air for the first time
ready to speak on the real microphone, to be heard by thousands of people?
Betty: I was a natural. I was just flowing with the mood of the news
clips. It came straight from the heart. In those days there was a myth that
only girls from the coast can qualify to be radio announcers because of
their melodious voice but I didn’t believe that.
The Express: How has the radio changed in the past 20 years?
Betty: People now join radio not out of interest but as a means of
earning their living. Announcers are not well trained, you have people
pronouncing ‘R’ instead of ‘L’.
The Express: What does your husband think about your job?
Betty: He has been very supportive, often when I feel like the world
is coming to an end for me, he is there to lift my spirits. I get on the
verge of quitting and he is there telling me “hiyo ndiyo kazi” He is a
footballer by profession.
The Express: Which was the most adventurous assignment for you?
Betty: The Dodoma train accident. At first
I was a little scared, seeing all the dead bodies and blood and wailing
every where but then I got into it. And it seemed like any other assignment.
The Express: What do you think is ‘the thing’ that made you win the CNN
African Journalist Award as a best presenter?
Betty: I think it was my devotion to the programme that was
appreciated the most. It wasn’t easy looking for the AIDS patients and
sitting with them eating with them despite the risk of being infected with
the opportunistic infections.
The Express: Where do you get that self confidence from?
Betty: (Smile) From life. My father was a teacher, so every time he
gets posted in another region the whole family had to move with him. In my
13 years of schooling I have changed eight schools all together in four
regions. I guess meeting different people and the need to adjust to new
environment has enabled me to gain more confidence in life.
The Express: How is Betty Mkwasa as a mother?
Betty: My kids call me by name, Betty Mkwasa. I joke a lot with them,
I like cooking.
The Express: You seem to be serious
about your attire. Is this by choice or is it the company policy for the
announcers to dress in certain way?
Betty: I am glad you pointed that out. I get so upset these days when
I see young women journalists dress in disco clothes in press conferences.
It is pathetic. May be I am too conservative, to me journalism is a
discipline how you talk, what you wear, the way you present yourself, it is
all part of the discipline. I have always been selective about my clothes I
am conscious of wearing the right thing in the right place.
The Express: If you were not a journalist, what do you think you would be?
Betty: I would have been a nurse.
Interview by: Fatima
Grace Bapumia
|
