Meet Naledi Aphane, a rising star in the sports broadcasting arena who is making an indelible mark as a young female sportscaster. With a vibrant energy and an insightful approach, Naledi is revolutionizing the industry, challenging conventions, and bringing a fresh voice to the forefront of sports media. Her journey from avid sports fan to influential broadcaster showcases not only her remarkable talent but also her unwavering dedication to redefining the landscape of sports journalism. 

Hailing from Limpopo, Naledi shares a heartfelt story about her journey into the sports industry. She attributes much of her inspiration to her grandfather, who was a passionate sports fan. “My grandfather played a huge role in that,” Naledi recalls. “He used to watch a lot of sports growing up, and I just one day decided to join him and watch football. I realised it’s not too bad, and it grew on me.” As she continued to watch sports and see female role models like Carol Tshabalala and Thato Moeng on TV, she felt a growing sense of belonging and possibility.

Naledi’s vision of herself in the sports industry was further fueled by her grandfather’s encouragement. “He would always say that I belong there,” she explains. “For me, that really kept me going.” Her deepening love for sports and the vision she developed for her own career led her to pursue a path in sports broadcasting. “It’s because of people I used to see that I fell in love with sports and decided to follow this path,” Naledi adds, highlighting how personal connections and role models can profoundly shape one’s professional aspirations.

The sports media personality shared a nostalgic glimpse into her early inspiration. “So there’s a show that used to play on Thursdays called ‘Thursday Night with Marawa,’ with Rob as the host. In black households, 8 PM was reserved for shows like ‘Generations,’ but my grandfather and I would switch to Channel 203 during the ad breaks. Whenever I missed school, we’d catch the repeat at 7 AM. I used to mimic Thato from the show, pretending I was him. This really sparked my interest in sports, seeing myself in those already in the field.”

Reflecting on her professional journey, she said, “I started working for Hopealive Radio on November 5, 2020. I met Nkoko, the Supersport commentator, who was looking for people to mentor. My friend recommended me, and that’s how it all began. I hosted a show there for two and a half years before moving on in March 2023. It was an incredible experience; I’ve grown a lot and had the opportunity to meet and work with many people, including the likes of Robert Marawa.” 

Thinking back on her career, one of the most memorable moments for Naledi was interviewing Robert Marawa at Hopealive Radio. “That was the turning point of my career,” she shared, “knowing that I am good at what I do and that I can reach as far as my dreams take me in the sports world.” Recently, she launched her own podcast, “Sports Stories,” with the goal of establishing herself internationally. During a recent conversation with Marawa, he encouraged Naledi by noting that her coverage of the Cricket World Cup and AFCON has expanded her audience beyond South Africa.

She emphasised that “With ‘Sports Stories,’ she’s not just catering to South Africans but to a global audience. For instance, her first guest was a prominent sports journalist from the UK and president of the Sports Journalists Association. This show aims to build a base outside South Africa and keep Aphane’s international followers informed about global sports developments.”

Imagining how her career took a significant turn, the Sportscaster shared, “Let me take it back to 2021 when I first met Robert Marawa on my show. I truly believe that’s when I made an impression with my work, and he saw the potential in me.” This pivotal meeting led to a lasting professional relationship. “From that moment on, we stayed in contact, and I vividly remember in 2022 when Robert was heading to the UK for a few days. He asked me to stand in for him and host Marawa Sports Worldwide while he was away.” This opportunity marked a major milestone, showcasing the trust and confidence Marawa placed in her abilities.

Meeting Robert Marawa was a pivotal moment in Naledi’s career. Transitioning from Hopealive Radio to Marawa Sports Worldwide (MSW), with its vast reach across South Africa and beyond, has been visibly transformative. She mentioned that as she reflected on her journey, she realises how Robert’s mentorship has been invaluable. “His advice to ‘slow down and recognise that there’s a time for everything’ has been instrumental,” she said. Additionally, Aphane highlighted that working with Robert has opened numerous doors and opportunities, grounding her especially when she feels the urge to rush. His guidance has not only influenced her career but has also inspired her to strive for greatness in broadcasting, aiming to reach the excellence he exemplifies.

Naledi spoke on her exhilarating journey through sports journalism, particularly her recent experiences with the ICC Cricket World Cup in India and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). She describes her approach to journalism with a commitment to excellence, saying, “I approached the world of sports journalism like what it is—I am here to do my job and I have to do it perfectly well so that the next people who are going to work with me are impressed with what I did in the previous project.” For her, working at the ICC Men’s World Cup was a major highlight. “Covering such a major tournament was a significant milestone in my career. The World Cup is huge; being part of it early on was an incredible achievement.”

Her time in India, despite the challenges of adjusting to a fast-paced cricket environment and the need for constant adaptation, was a valuable learning experience. “Working in a fast-paced cricket environment, with the constant need for pre-match analysis and checking factors like weather, was a new challenge coming from a football background. But I thrive on learning, so it was a beautiful challenge.” On the other hand, her stint at AFCON was a dream come true for a football enthusiast like her. “Growing up as a football lover, covering the Africa Cup of Nations was a dream come true. Meeting industry giants and experiencing the tournament firsthand was truly inspiring. Each day felt like a step closer to the end of something I didn’t want to end—that’s how much I enjoyed it.”

Navigating the sports industry as a woman presents unique challenges that often require us to work ten times harder than our male counterparts. “I feel like as women we have to put in the work 10x more than the male counterparts and this is something that’s engraved in our specs,” Naledi shared. She elaborated on the complexities of her role, stating, “Even when you’re at a press conference where you are probably the only female present, you debate with yourself whether you’re asking the right question or not.”

Despite the hurdles, Naledi remains determined to excel. “Being in the sports industry, you need to do a lot of things ‘right’ as a woman compared to being a man because we face a lot of scrutiny which overshadows the good you’ve done,” she explains. Her resilience highlights the ongoing struggle to break barriers and achieve recognition in a field where women often face additional obstacles.

Looking ahead, Naledi is eager to expand her horizons and cover major sporting events around the globe, exploring various sporting codes. “I’m excited about the future and aiming to travel and cover top international events,” she shared, hinting at a significant project she’s currently working on. 

For those aspiring to break into the sports industry, Naledi offers valuable advice: “Know why you want to get into the industry and start where you are with what you have. Make as many mistakes as you can and learn from them. Most importantly, love and know your sports.” 

She also encourages newcomers and established professionals to think beyond traditional media: “Don’t limit yourself to traditional media. I’m passionate about contributing to podcasting and content creation as a way to grow my brand and reach a broader audience.” Naledi’s insights reflect her commitment to continuous learning and innovation in the sports industry.

Naledi’s journey in the sports industry embodies passion, resilience, and a forward-thinking mindset. As she continues to break barriers and expand her influence, her impact on sports journalism is set to inspire and elevate the industry for years to come.