shloboe boe
Taboka Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
IN a world increasingly dominated by social media and artificial intelligence, 26-year-old Annah Thandeka Maseko is carving out her own niche with her podcast, The Real Podcast Series with Anna.
Maseko’s passion for hosting and engaging in conversations began in her childhood where she showcased her skills through participation in debates, quizzes and public speaking. That early interest has evolved into a podcast that resonates with the youth of Bulawayo.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Maseko shared that her podcasting journey commenced in 2019 when she was selected to work with Cite, a Bulawayo organisation focused on empowering young people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Creating podcasts for Cite ignited my ambition to be the voice for the voiceless, which led me to start my own podcast, The Real Podcast Series.
“This podcast aims to empower young people by inviting guests to share their experiences. It brings me immense joy to discuss a range of issues with different individuals. As a journalism and media studies student, this platform has helped me find my footing in the world of journalism, clarifying what I want to focus on,” she explained.
Maseko is pursuing a degree in Journalism and Media Studies at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and hopes her entry into the media landscape through her podcast will continue to shape her information delivery skills.
Despite the challenges of being a young woman trying to make her mark in the media industry, she remains resolute.
“Currently, I run my podcast on WhatsApp, but my aspiration is to evolve it into a live show that can be shared on YouTube. I’ve faced numerous challenges while building my brand. Often, I struggle with data access to communicate with listeners abroad. Additionally, network issues can lead to delays, leaving my audience waiting for responses, especially when guests have busy schedules,” she noted.
“Balancing my podcast with my attachment at Nust FM has been extremely challenging. I am working on producing YouTube videos for the podcast to create a more interactive experience. Podcasting requires meticulous planning — choosing the right guests and crafting the appropriate questions is essential,” she said.
To support her podcasting ambitions, Maseko has developed entrepreneurial skills through her side hustle, “Annah’s Delicacies,” where she bakes finger foods and sells sweets both on campus and in town.
The venture helps her raise funds to cover internet costs and acquire the necessary equipment for her podcast.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
