Three years ago, a bold promise was made to isiZulu and isiXhosa speakers across South Africa: the news would be delivered not as translation, not as an afterthought — but as a first language experience.
This Friday, 27 February, Iindaba Zethu and Izindaba Zethu mark their third anniversary on DStv Channel 163, celebrating not only longevity, but linguistic pride, audience trust and cultural resonance.
Launched by Newzroom Afrika under the banner Izindaba Zethu and Iindaba Zethu to align with host channel Mzansi Wethu, Nguni News quickly established itself as more than a bulletin. It became a daily ritual — a trusted space where millions hear the country’s most important stories in the languages spoken by more than 40% of South Africans.
News in the Language of Home
The third birthday campaign leans into a quirky, linguistics-inspired theme — a fitting tribute to what has made the bulletins distinctive from day one: mother-tongue journalism.
At a time when media fragmentation challenges traditional broadcasters, Iindaba Zethu and Izindaba Zethu have strengthened something elemental — the powerful connection between language and belonging.
“For Newzroom Afrika, these milestones are more than just dates on a calendar,” says CEO Thabile Ngwato. “They are defining moments that allow us to reflect on our journey — one rooted in service, identity, and the power of language.”
That power is evident every evening on Channel 163. Whether it is the cadence of isiZulu or the lyrical rhythm of isiXhosa, the delivery carries authenticity that cannot be manufactured.
Anchors Who Carry the Language with Pride
At the heart of the bulletin’s success is its unwavering commitment to anchors and reporters who honour the depth and nuance of Nguni languages.
Thabile Stella Mbhele, who anchors Izindaba Zethu, has become a familiar and trusted presence in isiZulu-speaking homes.
Meanwhile, Lisakhanya Pepe, anchor of Iindaba Zethu, delivers the isiXhosa bulletin with clarity and conviction.
Each broadcast reflects passion, precision and cultural pride — embodying Newzroom Afrika’s mission to elevate indigenous language journalism within mainstream media.
The anniversary arrives in the same week as International Mother Language Day, observed annually on 21 February. The timing underscores a larger truth: language preservation is not abstract policy — it is lived experience, shaped daily in classrooms, communities and living rooms.
More Than a Bulletin
Veteran broadcaster Dr Noxolo Grootboom, who mentors many of the programme’s anchors and reporters, describes the milestone as deeply personal.
“As we celebrate three years, we celebrate our people — the viewers who welcomed us into their homes, the journalists who bring stories to life, and the languages that shape our identity,” she says. “This is more than a bulletin; it is a home for our stories, told in our voices.”
In an industry often dominated by globalised narratives and English-first reporting, Iindaba Zethu and Izindaba Zethu stand as proof that indigenous language journalism is not niche — it is necessary.
Three years on, everything clicks into place: the trust of audiences, the credibility of newsroom leadership, and the cultural pride of hearing national conversations unfold in the language of home.
On DStv Channel 163, Nguni news is not translated.
It belongs.
