By Eva Chipa
Presenter, producer and voice artist Claire Mawisa shares her experience and journey in the media space while giving advice to the younger generation on how to ensure relevancy in a changing media landscape.
Masiwa celebrates her 20th radio anniversary, since starting her career in 1999.
Her tale starts with her multi-faceted title where she took everyone on a trip down memory lane on how she started as out as a model, then landing a job on TV and then in Radio.
When asked about what was easier to do between radio and television, Mawisa stated that it is easier being on television where there is a team that works behind the scenes. She added that once a person is seen on TV they are the final product, whereas with radio more authenticity is required.
She explains that radio is a yes or no factor, “you’re either passionate or you are not.” While taking time to point out her experience, she says being on TV does not mean you can be on radio, but those on radio can make it on TV.
However, her radio journey truly blossomed once she fell in love with creating the content and coming to the realization that being successful on radio does not always translate to being on air. Speaking of the dark moments of transitioning from one station to the next, Masiwa explains that the shift is not as seamless as it looks.
She identifies herself as a super producer, speaking of her biggest lessons learn while working on her craft. She says the take home is when dealing with presenters, one needs to learn to forget oneself. She says this with slight humour and glint reminding everyone in the room that as a producer, her job was to elevate the presenter. If the show is to be a success, the presenter needs to be receptive to the content.
She encouraged young aspiring presenters, saying; “presenters must have some level of ego, your personality is what matters not your voice”. However, she explains that it is difficult to quantify an X Factor as that is the thing that captivates and pushes the listener to feel the connection.
Edited by: Bridget Lepere