Taking the bull by the horns

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Anastacia Sibanda

Location : Gaborone

Event : Interview

Article by Anastacia Sibanda

Photos by Gothusang Lesego

Nowithstanding, things are now, albeit gradually, beginning to change as more women take to the screen in this erstwhile male dominated area. In fact, in local sport the likes of Cabino Kokole and Peo Keatlholetswe are pioneers who have laid a solid foundation and paved the way for the women folk to make it as sports analysts and presenters on television.

Now joining the list of women presenters is Keneilwe Sechele, a lawyer by profession who analyses sport on Duma FM. Sechele`s sharp and well researched analyses are hard to ignore.

However, without blowing anyone`s trumpet, there is a young upcoming Botswana Television (Btv) sport presenter who goes by the name Karabo Bosena, currently presenting Enole and Tshamekang sports programmes.

Karabo just like other women journalists or television presenters, has taken the bull by the horns. She says she gets inspiration from all those women she always sees on television anchoring sports programmes.

“I told myself if Anastacia is fearless and can put men in their place, what can stop me from doing television presentation,” reckons Karabo.

Karabo`s story is peculiar. Although she is a Business Management graduate, she grew up watching football because she spent more time with her father, a football fanatic himself.

However, a fresher she is, is she aware and ready for the challenges ahead especially those associated with being a woman presenter?

Virginia Cerezo in her paper titled sexism in sports journalism, argues that women are often overlooked in the world of sports journalism.

They are perceived to be not as good as their male counterparts simply because of their gender. Therefore, despite being more knowledgeable in a certain sport, their opinions are rejected because they are not middle-aged men. And in addition to this, if the woman is good-looking she is not even considered to have a brain of her own. She is just a toy they put there to look good because most of the audience is male.

Cerezo was referring to a 2010 FIFA World Cup incident whereby Spain lost their opening game 1-0 to Switzerland, and it happened that Spain`s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas` girlfriend, Sara Carbonero who is a TV presenter, was a field reporter in that game. Immediately after the match, social media was awash blaming Sara for the loss, that her presence distracted Casillas.

Nevertheless, for Karabo, nothing will shake her out of her line of duty. She is well aware of the flack she will at times have to endure but nothing will distract her.

“Let me tell you, when I went for my auditions at Btv, there were more men than women, some had been there in sport but hey they did not intimidate me. So what can intimidate me now, when I am already inside?” asks Karabo rhetorically.

She says she is now happy that she is adding to the numbers of the few women sports analysts, presenters and journalists. Karabo reckons women should also come out of their cocoons to venture into sport.

The Serowe born lass says contrary to common belief, sport presenting especially on television is not as difficult as imagined.

“You see, people always ask me how do I feel when I know a lot of people are watching me. To be honest, when I am on TV it is always about me and the guests. I never want to think that people are watching because that can make me panic, and should it happen that I make a mistake, I quickly correct it and move on,” she says with a smile of contentment.

Women in Botswana, she adds, are capable of doing even better than men but all what they have to do, is to support each other. Karabo says there is no need for women to compete amongst themselves. All what it takes is confidence, was her parting shot.

Teaser:

Historically, sport has always been, in all its facets, a man`s domain. Be it on the field of play or administration, men have invariably ruled the roost. Journalism as well assumed the same character in that anchoring sports on television seemed almost a “no go area for women”.