Sentleeng definitely holds her own

“I owe my success to my family’s ongoing support and my faith in God,” says 31-year-old Sentleeng Lehihi. She joined the North-West University as a postgraduate student in 2010 and went on to graduate with an honours degree in Politics and International Relations (with distinction) in 2012.

“For now I have my degrees in Journalism and Politics and International Relations, and apart from the recognition I received on social media for my fire story last November, I have no awards or special achievements as yet. Let’s hope the future has some awards tucked away for me,” she adds.

Sentleeng is employed at the SABC as a television news reporter and an important part of her job entails identifying, researching and reporting stories that are fair, accurate and compelling to target audiences.

“I travel extensively to source newsworthy incidents in diverse areas and I also network with various government departments, business and civic organisations, and with community stakeholders.”

She highlights the importance of research, particularly in journalism.

“Research is paramount, and given my experiences during my postgraduate studies, I am able to conduct research with ease. The world is always changing and as a journalist it’s my responsibility to scrutinise and simplify the changing world for the masses,” she explains.

Seentleng emphasises that understanding policy formulation and adaptation is crucial, especially now that we are faced with a global pandemic.

“Our global community has had to split and look inwards as the best form of defence and this will have far-reaching consequences for how we will live and conduct business.”

When asked where she sees herself in five years’ time, she says that although the future is not guaranteed, through God’s grace she will be at the forefront of the global community’s biggest stories. This is truly fitting for someone who uses the words “sink or swim” to describe herself.

With personal mottoes such as “never give up”, “go your own way”, “hold your own”, and “I will live until I die,” she definitely has a promising future ahead of her.