A deep-rooted love for media and communication has inspired the birth of a new podcast in the Free State, with a mission to tell authentic stories of community development, resilience and transformation.
Known as Real Talk With T&A, the podcast is the brainchild of Thomas Nopheche and Ace Nyeleka, two media professionals who have brought years of experience in communication, journalism and video production back behind the microphone.
For Nopheche, the return to the microphone is more than simply starting another media platform. It represents a return to a space that has shaped much of his professional life. Nopheche, well known in the media and communication circles in the Free State and other beyond, having worked for various community media platforms and municipality as a spokesperson and head of Communications and Marketing, whose love for this medium has come to define his life which has always been about media and communication.
According to Nopheche Real Talk With T&A is different from platforms that concentrate primarily on gossip, sensationalism or celebrity news. “Real Talk With T&A focuses on developmental stories, not gossip, not noise. Just real developmental stories,” said Nopheche.
The podcast aims to document and tell stories of ordinary South Africans, whose stories often go unnoticed, of struggling small businesses in the area of Fezile Dabi Municipality in the Free State, and across South Africa.
Stories of a poor teacher trying to put up a library or helping poor kids with clothes in the cold winter season using his/her own salary, and of poor hospitality workers striving day and night to change their financial situation at home under very difficult and toxic work environment.” elaborate Nopheche.
“Our objectives are very clear, we want to preserve real community stories including our untold history. Through this platform we want to record and publish stories of development and education that will inspire our nation even after 30 years. We are not drawn too much to celebrity news or politicians, we have enough of that already” Nopheche added.
According to Nopheche their focus is on value more than just numbers even though they are important for sponsorship and financial support, but their medium don’t break news, rather they break down news for understanding and maximum impact.
Mr Ace Nyeleka, is not new in this sector of news production. He is a very well known videographer with years of experience including working for Hlasela TV, and receiving international experience and training from countries such as Portugal. He has seen what works globally.
Real Talk With T&A, have so far published four episodes already including the thought provoking Professor Duwenhage from Potchefstroom University on the Ngwathe Local Municipality dissolution and the implications thereof.
In the next ten months the podcast aims to publish about 50 episodes on a range of topics including entrepreneurship, hospitality and Tourism, leadership and innovation, public institutions and accountability, as we as community development.
Nopheche said he is grateful to God for the talent and the opportunity.
“I must also thank all the institutions that trusted me over the years-those who gave me the platform to serve as a spokesperson and current affairs presenter. Those years shaped me, they taught me the power of a well-told story and the responsibility that comes with holding the microphone” Nopheche said.
“Real Talk With T&A is thankful to Le Grand Hotel for believing in us and sponsoring one of our episodes”
Join the channel on YouTube-Real Talk With T&A and Facebook, view our videos, like and subscribe to our channel if you share the same value with us.
For interesting news and partnerships feel free to e-mail: thomasnopheche66@gmail.com or WhatsApp 0662881083.
