Love of writing earns youngster a trip to London to report on the Danone Nations Cup World Final!

Teboho Msiza, a budding poet and novelist from Kimberley, will be joining Daniye Primary School on the trip to London in September to play in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals – but he will not be playing but reporting on how the team from South Africa will progress.  The 13 year old Danone Nations Cup ‘Kids Reporter’ earned the right to go to London via a media competition.

Msiza is an only child in grade 7 at Vooruitsig Primary School in the Northern Cape. He is passionate about reading and writing and excels at English, thanks to the help of his mother who has a PHD in Curriculum Studies from the University of the Free State.  He was brought up in the Free State but moved a few years ago when his father received an internship at Kimberly Hospital.

He says that when he grows up he wants to be a reporter as he enjoys sharing information and believes that most reporters convey messages very well to the public. His role model is Deborah Patta of Third Degree. “I began writing at 8, and enjoy writing song lyrics, poetry as well as fantasy stories,” he said. “My grandfather inspires me and has always made sure that I read a lot. He is always giving me books to read every time we visit him in Lesotho.”

One person the aspiring writer would love to meet is Disney Channel CEO, Robert A Iger.  “I love writing fantasy stories and I want to find out how he comes up with such extraordinary ideas for kids shows.  Everything they do is vibrant and current.”

Teboho was told about the Danone Nations Cup and the kids reporter competition by his cousin. He did some research and drafted his motivation letter for his mom to send via e-mail while he was at school. “When I get to London I will interview the SA team and the coach,” he said. “I am looking forward to interacting with people from other countries and making new friends too.”

Danone Nations Cup South Africa 2011 Kids Reporter

Over the last couple of days we have had the pleasure to speak to Marvelous Nelwamondo the Danone Natiosn Cup Kids Reporter for South Africa. Marvelous will go to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in Spain with the kids from Barkerville primary School. he will be able to interview kids from various countries and have the opportunity to meet and interview Zinedine Zidane.

Name:  Marvelous Nelwamondo

School: Capricorn High School

Grade:  Grade 10

BACKGROUND:  Marvelous was born in Venda, Limpopo.  His family moved to Polokwane when he was 8 years old to seek better opportunities.   He loves Polokwane and is good with languages and since being there has learnt to speak fluent Pedi and Tsonga.

FAMILY:  He comes from a family of 6.  Father, Alex, is a teacher at one of the primary schools in Venda and his mother, Rachel, owns a small cash loan business. Marvelous has  two older sisters:  21year old Tracey graduates from Wits University Medical School in September and 18 year old Adelaide is completing her second year Chartered Accounting at Monesh University.  He has a baby sister, Dembe, who has just started nursery school.  He is the only son.

HOBBIES:  Swimming, chess, watching football and going to the mall.

FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE: He plays football at school as well as for a local amateur team, Ambassadors FC, as a Central Midfielder. Football is his passion and his favourite team is Orlando Pirates.

ETV COMPETITION: He was watching TV and entered the competition not dreaming he would win.  He is currently one of the top 10 best essay writers at his school.  In 2010 he came first in an essay competition beating 19 other participants.  His dream while in Spain is to get the opportunity to interview Zinedine Zidane.  For school projects he has had to conduct interviews and he chose his family doctor and cousin.   One of his ambitions is to write a book. 

EXPECTATIONS FROM THIS EXPERIENCE:  He believes that life in about learning, he expects to learn new things and apply the newly learned skills, knowledge and abilities in his life one day.  He will travel with the team and he is not sure what to expect as the kids are from the Eastern Cape and he is from Limpopo, but he will do his best and get the best interviews possible.

SKILLS NEEDED TO BE A KID REPORTER:  Be believes one must be good with people, confident, prepare well and have a good knowledge of the topic you are reporting on. He believes a good reporter must be a great listener and have observation skill and know how to ask good questions.

TRIP TO SPAIN:  This will be an opportunity he will cherish forever. He believes that Spain is the best football nation in the world at the moment.  He follows Spanish football and all players as well as the food and culture.  He does not know what he wants to do after school but he is hoping this experience will point him in the right direction.  While he loves football, his aim is to go to University and study further.

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE:  He travelled to Atlanta, USA, in June 2010 for a church conference.

BEST SUBJECTS AT SCHOOL: Life Orientation; He scored 100% this term.  It helps one learn about oneself in relation to society and how to relate to others.   Geography, specifically learning about caring for the environment:  “our values and attitudes can influence and effect our environment”.