#216 Telling the Stories of African Women with Mukelwa Hlatshwayo
Welcome to the 216th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It’s Black History Month, a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society.
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Show Notes
Welcome to the 216th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast. It’s Black History Month, a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society.
This year's theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters’ highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. This year’s celebration will showcase pioneering black women who have made remarkable contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.
To join me on the show today is Mukelwa Hlatshwayo.
Listen to the episode
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About my guest
Mukelwa Hlatshwayo is an award-winning Nairobi-based journalist, covering general news in East Africa.
As a journalist with more than 15 years of experience, she has covered a wide range of news items such as conflict, crime, and climate change. Mukelwa has reported for various international media houses including Sky News, France24, Al Jazeera, New York Times, and is currently the senior producer for Reuters, East Africa.
Mukelwa began her career reporting current affairs for one of South Africa’s then flagship current affairs show, 3rd Degree, in 2006. From then she moved to the New York Times in their Southern Africa bureau, a position that initiated her journey reporting to global audiences.
The news beat closest to her heart is women and children. This has taken her to the heart of Johannesburg's inner-city reporting on illegal backstreet abortions, hijacked buildings, and stories of survivors of what was called “corrective rape”.
In today’s show
- About Mukelwa and what she’s working on at the moment [02:51]
- The way she copes with the pressures of her work. [07:12]
- How she became a journalist. [12:40]
- Mukelwa thoughts on giving black women a platform to be heard globally. [14:28]
- Her top three mental health tips. [33:14]
Quotes
- I was about 7 years old when I told my mum I wanted to become a journalist.
- It’s not easy for people to tell you their stories.
- It’s important to approach people as equals.
- Oftentimes, we misunderstand why people are angry.
- Exercise is so important.
Resources
- Connect with Mukelwa on Instagram and Twitter
- Join my Mailing List and receive my free e-book here
- Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
Work with me
Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC