In the world of sports broadcasting, Itumeleng Banda is a name worth knowing. The 27-year-old radio and television broadcaster displays a commendable kind of passion. 

“I believe that the world is still yet to find me. They’re still yet to know about me. I’m passionate about what I do and I dream big,” she shared. 

Raised to walk in love and impact

Growing up in Alexandra with her parents and older sister, Banda is a lover of people. Her love-filled upbringing has shaped her appreciation for community, as well as her ability to effortlessly pour out love. 

“My sister is 18 years older than me so I basically grew up as if I was the only child because of the age gap. I’ve always felt love from home first.”

However, her upbringing was not without challenges as she had to navigate the dynamics of living what she terms a ‘double life’. 

“Before we moved to Alex, we used to live in Rivonia. My mom was a domestic worker and I lived with her employers. 

As soon as they moved overseas, my life took a full u-turn and I had to adapt,” expressed the broadcaster. 

From bathing in a dish to having to learn vernac from scratch, Banda had to quickly come to terms with her new reality. 

“But my mom didn’t take me out of Rivonia Primary School. As much as I now lived in the township, I would travel to ‘the burbs’ everyday.”

It is through navigating two different worlds that she got to fully understand the importance of not being defined by her circumstances. This is something she has carried with her throughout her journey. 

“That’s just how I’ve always looked at life since then. Every space I enter, I tell myself that it doesn’t matter where I come from.

My impact and my contributions will definitely be valuable, and they’ll be memorable,” she said. 

Broadcasting – a long-standing love story 

For as long as she can remember, Banda has always had a loud personality. 

“I grew up loving attention. In primary, I wanted to be on YoTV. I was actually part of those kids who would be on Summer Splash during the holidays. 

I later made it very clear that I’d like to be in the media industry. I joined public speaking and became the best speaker my high school had.” 

Undoubtedly, the fundamentals learnt in her journey of public speaking have contributed towards the broadcaster she is today, even though she is in a totally different field than she had envisioned. 

“I initially didn’t want to work in sports. I wanted to do shows like Top Billing and Zaziwa,” she said.

In 2018, the passionate broadcaster opened up to the sporting world. 

“I was told about a voiceover audition at MassivMetro so I went. I was given a sport script. Little did I know that Motshidisi Mohono was beefing up her sports team at the time.”

After receiving a callback, Banda was not too keen as she knew very little about sport. But under capable guidance and leadership, she was able to quickly learn and grow. 

Throughout her career, she has served on various platforms including Varsity TV, GauTV, Soweto TV, Power FM and SABC Sport. 

She has also seen a number of commendable milestones, including being the winner of the gsport Awards Woman in Radio in 2020. 

Additionally, she had the honour of anchoring the African Football League last year; something which she views as a career highlight. 

“It was a new competition which was put together by CAF. Having SABC call me for the show which was the first of its kind was a bit insane,” she reminisced. 

Girlhood, quality time and the validity of dreams 

On days when she doesn’t have a microphone in her hand, Banda occupies herself with girl activities such as shopping and getting dolled up. 

“I also love staying active. It keeps me sane. My body is my business. When I take care of it, it will take care of me,” she shared. 

She can also be found spending quality time with those she loves, although she also values some quiet time in the pages of her journal or colouring book.  

When the going gets tough and all seems lost, the brilliant broadcaster finds peace in words written in 1 John 4:4. 

“I always remind myself that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. This is because I don’t know how I do it either. My journey and all my milestones often feel like an out-of-body experience.”

When asked what word of advice she would share with youngsters who possess a burning passion for broadcasting, Banda emphasised the importance of believing in the validity of dreams. She also encouraged taking the necessary steps, no matter how small, to turn dreams into reality.

“That dream is planted within you for a reason, regardless of how far-fetched or impossible it looks. The fact that you can still dream and think that it is something you want to do means it is possible. 

It’s not going to be easy. It was never supposed to be, but you have to show up for yourself everyday.”