Sport journalist and producer: Terence Mukasa
Sport journalist and producer Terence Mukasa has worked his way up to become a sports journalist and producer since joining TribeFire Studios last year.His innate passion for sports turned what was initially a daunting challenge into a fulfilling career.
"Honestly, being a producer came along with working at One Africa TV. Just like a fresh student from university, I never really knew how to edit or even operate a camera. However, I was willing to learn from my more experienced colleagues," he said.
Mukasa’s day is filled with a variety of tasks and challenges.
"A typical day in the office for me would be diarising a Collin Benjamin story or a self-initiated story such as getting Gerhard Erasmus into the studio," he explained.
The work involves scripting, editing, doing voice-overs, and finalising stories for the 19:00 news slot.
"It's a handful, but not that hectic."
Life of a journalist
What he enjoys most about his job is the opportunity to travel and meet new people.
"What I enjoy most about sports is that you constantly have an encounter with foreign people. You learn, interact with foreign nationals who come to Namibia on official sports business," he said.
Mukasa fondly recalled meeting Fifa technical experts and building media relationships with the Botswana Football Association during a trip to Gaborone.
Despite the rewards, his role is not without its challenges.
"The ability to pitch stories for all the sports codes registered in Namibia is a challenge. Due to the unavailability of more than two sports journalists at my workplace, I cannot really pitch to some of the sporting events," he said.
Mukasa’s passion for sports is evident in his enthusiastic coverage of football, rugby and cricket. "Football makes me feel alive because I understand and enjoy watching and playing it," he said.
Love of the game
His deep connection to football, whether through playing or networking, enhances his storytelling.
Furthermore, Mukasa enjoys covering international events like Cricket World Cup qualifiers and Namibian rugby matches.
Essential skills for his profession, Mukasa believes, include good communication, investigative skills and the ability to multitask.
"Good listening skills are crucial because news does not sleep."
One of Mukasa's most memorable career moments was reporting from Gaborone.
"I collaborated with the Botswana Football Association when they hosted the Brave Gladiators in an international friendly. I experienced journalism on another level," he recounted.
Love what you do
Outside of work, Mukasa enjoys playing futsal or football and occasionally travelling to rejuvenate. He advised aspiring sports journalists to pursue their passion with dedication.
"At the end of the day, what matters is if you are happy. You just need to figure out what niche you enjoy or what stories interest you," he advised.
Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, especially during busy sports seasons. However, Mukasa has found a way to make it work.
"I kill two birds with one stone. Being a sports journalist and a footballer at the same time makes my job easy. I am always at the right place at the right time," he said with a smile.