Latest news with #AMReport
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Zulaikha Patel: Former Pretoria Girls High pupil who protested against discriminatory hair policies joins Newzroom Afrika
Zulaikha Patel came to public prominence as part of the silent march at Pretoria High School for Girls against discriminatory hair policies. The month of August is a significant one for women in South Africa, owing to the 1956 Women's March, which saw more than 20 000 women head to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid government's extension of pass laws to women. That march birthed what today is celebrated as Women's Day. However, for Zulaikha Patel, who came to public prominence as part of the silent march at Pretoria High School for Girls against discriminatory hair policies at the institution in 2016, the month of August has a deeper meaning. 'My activism has thrust me into the public domain from a tender young age, and ultimately I spent all my teenage years growing up directly in the public eye, which at times became difficult as I had to grow up much quicker than my years in order to navigate public commentary and critique,' Patel tells The Citizen. Patel was 13 when she protested in high school; she is 23 now. ALSO READ: WATCH: Aldrin Sampear bows out of Newzroom Afrika Patel in August It was in August that the silent march at her former high school took place, and yesterday, Patel was announced as one of the new faces on Newzroom Afrika. 'I find this quite ironic that two significant moments in my life both took place in the month of August,' she said. She says as a woman in South Africa, she holds the month close to her heart because of the selfless acts of 1956 by the likes of Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph, among the slew of female activists. Patel says the 1956 march continues to remain a 'source of inspiration for me on the power that women's voices hold and a source of inspiration to continue advocating for justice and human rights.' ALSO READ: Newzroom Afrika attracts heavies in new staff line-up Patel on joining Newzroom Newzroom Afrika shuffled its programming as a way of refreshing the channel, and Patel's face will be one of the new ones on screen. Patel will contribute to the AM Report and is part of the team that Iman Rappetti and Arabile Gumede spearhead with Vaylen Kirtley on the sports desk. 'With August marking the ushering of spring, which is symbolic of new beginnings, my new role with Newzroom Afrika marks a new chapter in my life, and this chapter of my activism is called 'giving the citizens the mic to define the country through their voices',' she said. She says her contribution to the AM Report will be bringing a new segment that focuses on the voices of the citizens of the country on various socio-economic challenges that the nation faces. She doesn't describe her move into journalism as being bitten by the journalism bug but rather the ''storytelling bug', which bit me a while ago when I began writing books,' she says. 'A huge part of my activism has been to empower people to use their own voices to change the world and their circumstances. The world is changed by ordinary people that have the audacity to use their voices for change.' She shares that this value is one that she's carrying with her into her new role at Newzroom, to focus on handing the mic to citizens to define and shape the country through their voice and lens. ALSO READ: Refilwe Modiselle gently tackles misconceptions and myths about albinism with her children's book Patel, the author In 2021, Patel debuted her children's book, My Coily Crowny Hair, a book encouraging young black girls to embrace their natural hair in a world where African hair is seen as uncouth. 'The book was received incredibly well, as African children with Afro hair and dreadlocks felt empowered, seeing African identity positively represented,' shared Patel. 'I strongly believe that seeing yourself represented in the pages of books empowers one's existence.' The success of My Coily Crowny Hair birthed a second book, Brave Like Me, that was published earlier this year. 'Brave Like Me is published in five languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiNdebele and isiXhosa,' says Patel about the book that empowers children to use their voices to change the world. NOW READ: Radio 2000 broadcaster Ntombi Meso mends childhood traumas through her children's book
The Citizen
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
WATCH: Aldrin Sampear bows out of Newzroom Afrika
Said he will also be taking a break from his broadcasting career. Broadcast journalist Aldrin Sampear has officially parted ways with Newzroom Afrika. He announced his departure live on air during AM Report on Thursday morning. 'The time has come for me to announce that today is my last broadcast of AM Report on Newzroom Afrika, Channel 405,' he said. Sampear reflected on his journey, thanking the team and viewers for their support. 'It's been an incredible journey. I truly appreciate the people I've worked with — creative, dedicated individuals who've built this flagship programme. 'To our viewers, thank you for welcoming me into your homes, your offices and onto your phones,' he said. ALSO READ: 'End of an era': Shalate Sekhabi exits House of Zwide Taking a break from broadcasting Aldrin also said he would be taking a break from broadcasting. 'Unfortunately, or fortunately, this is the end of my journey with Channel 405, Newzroom Afrika, and it is also a pause in my broadcasting career, which has been incredibly, incredibly illustrious,' he said. Sampear's exit comes months after he was placed on indefinite leave in May. This followed an alleged road rage incident in Randburg in April involving a 20-year-old woman. READ MORE: TV news anchor Aldrin Sampear placed on 'indefinite leave' after road rage incident [VIDEO] In a public statement, Sampear admitted to being involved in a 'traffic incident' but did not confirm the assault or bullying allegations. 'I was involved in a traffic incident which resulted in a confrontation between myself and another driver. 'Having had time to reflect on these events, I want to take full responsibility for my actions,' he said. Sampear returned to the screen nearly a month later. NOW READ: Wedding bells for Maskandi star Khuzani Mpungose
The South African
19-05-2025
- The South African
Newzroom's Aldrin Sampear sorry for road rage incident
Newzroom Afrika's Aldrin Sampear has officially returned to his post as news anchor after issuing a formal apology live on air over his recent road rage incident. In 2020, Aldrin made headlines when he admitted during a radio show to being physically abusive to two ex-girlfriends. On Monday, 19 May, Aldrin Sampear returned to Newzroom Afrika's AM Report show. In a clip posted on its official X account, the journalist issued a formal apology for the road rage incident that occurred last month. He said, 'Having had time to reflect on this event, I want to take full responsibility for my actions. Although I did not assault the other driver, I think that I should have been more composed and found a way to de-escalate the situation. I felt short of the standards I hold myself to. He emotionally continued: 'For that, I want to express my regret and sincere apologies to our viewers, my colleagues, and our management at Newzroom Afrika. I've worked really hard to make sense of this experience and the root cause of my response. 'I hope that through my actions from now on, to rebuild the trust and the confidence in me, and continue on this journey to do better'. Last month, a video of Aldrin Sampear confronting university student Laricia Augusto went viral, following their 'minor collision' in Randburg, Gauteng. The incident turned into a full-blown road rage altercation. In the clip, Aldrin repeatedly asked why the woman gave him the middle finger, while she questions why he allegedly assaulted him. The woman told the Citizen, 'He was screaming at me. I tried to defend myself, pointing out that what he did was deliberate road rage. I even told him there was more than enough space for him to have driven safely,' According to reports, the woman has filed assault charges against Aldrin Sampear. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
