As National Weatherperson’s Day was marked on 5 February, attention turned to the voices that translated forecasts into everyday understanding — voices that did more than report temperatures and rainfall. They connected information to people’s lived realities. For Thabile Makapela, that connection had always begun with language.
February marked a significant milestone for the former children’s news presenter, who had spent three years delivering weather updates in isiXhosa on Iindaba Zethu, the isiXhosa news bulletin produced by Newzroom Afrika. Since the bulletin’s launch in February 2023, Makapela had been bringing weather information into homes across South Africa in the language she grew up speaking — making forecasts more accessible, relatable and culturally grounded.
Broadcasting in isiXhosa was more than a professional achievement. It reflected Makapela’s commitment to authenticity, inclusion and pride in indigenous language storytelling — values that shaped both her career and her approach to journalism.
From Childhood Dream to Cultural Impact
Hailing from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, Makapela had known from an early age that television was where she belonged. That childhood ambition came full circle as she presented the weather in isiXhosa, combining professional precision with personal meaning.
“Presenting in isiXhosa made the experience even more exciting,” she explained. “It’s my mother tongue, so I was able to work with the language while still being clear and informative.”
Iindaba Zethu formed part of Izindaba Zethu/Iindaba Zethu, Newzroom Afrika’s first isiZulu and isiXhosa language news offering. The bulletin aired daily on DStv channel 163 at 19h00, delivering inclusive national coverage — including weather updates that often carried real-life consequences for communities across the country.
Weather That Matters, When It Matters Most
From severe flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to water shortages and renewed restrictions in the Western Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay, Makapela’s role ensured that vital weather- and water-related information reached viewers in a language they fully understood. Her broadcasts helped communities navigate both extremes of South Africa’s climate, turning complex forecasts into practical knowledge.
Long before becoming a weather anchor, Makapela had already experienced moments that shaped her confidence in broadcasting. One standout memory came during her time as a children’s news presenter, when she interviewed former President Jacob Zuma during Child Protection Week in Pretoria.
“It was mind blowing,” she recalled. “I was young, still finding my feet in broadcasting, and suddenly I was engaging with someone so high profile. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.”
Mentorship, Legacy and Paying It Forward
Makapela credited much of her professional growth to working alongside veteran broadcaster Dr Noxolo Grootboom, who was part of Newzroom Afrika’s launch three years earlier. She described their relationship as deeply meaningful.
“She became more than a mentor. She was like a mother and a friend. Working with her was something I always treasured.”
Beyond the studio, Makapela remained passionate about mentoring aspiring journalists and using her platform to uplift others — particularly young people from communities where media was not traditionally seen as a viable career path.
“Where I come from, broadcasting wasn’t considered a profession people usually pursued,” she said. “I was lucky to have a family and community that encouraged me to explore what I loved.”
Her advice to young journalists was simple but powerful: “Embrace who you are. Understand that you are unique and enjoy what you do.”
When she was not on screen, Makapela continued to pursue her love for radio, public speaking and mentorship, driven by the same passion that first drew her to broadcasting.
As National Weatherperson’s Day was observed during this milestone month, Thabile Makapela stood out as a broadcaster who had helped South Africans better understand the world around them — one weather update at a time, in the language of home.
