By Remy Raitt

“I love the fact that I truly stand out as a queen amongst the men and, having stood the test of time, can really own the right of being the First Lady of Sport,” Tshabalala says.

Tshabalala believes being a woman in a male dominated industry has worked to her advantage. “Women have more tact when it comes to, for example, interviews, my subjects are much more relaxed around me and very accommodating.”

And she has the silver wear to prove it. Over the years she has racked up a stack of accolades including Best Newcomer Award: Sports at the Duku Duly Awards in 2001, Best Newcomer: TV at the SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards in 2002, Radio Journalist of the Year at the SAB Sports Journalist of the Year Awards in 2009, Media Personality of the Year at SAFA Awards in 2010 and a Woman in Sport Honour at the Ministers Awards in 2014.

She began her career at the SABC with an apprenticeship at the junior sports show Sportsbuzz and has since reported on some of the world’s biggest sporting events. She is the only African to have hosted the FIFA Ballon D’or, has attended and reported on three FIFA World Cups, three Olympic Games and three NBA All Star weekends.

Tshabalala says the obvious perks of her job are being immersed in her biggest interest and meeting the high profile sportspeople who play the games she adores. But sport to Tshabalala is about much more than the stars, it’s about the power the games possess. “I love sport because it has the power to unite where division once was and has the power to change any social errs for the better. And hey it's so much fun!” And although she relishes the jovial elements of sport, she says in South Africa sport goes beyond just serving as entertainment; “we celebrate our colour and passion through sport,” she enthuses.

The only downside of sports reporting, according to Tshabalala, is that free weekends aren’t a regular occurrence. All the sports action goes down then, which means she’s out in the field or in the studio keeping the country up-to-date.

Tshabalala is a household names across African sports airwaves and small screens, and although the reporting requires the same amount of dedication, research and entertainment value, she says she relishes the differences between the mediums. “On radio you can be much more relaxed,” she says, “whereas with television it's all encompassing you have to speak well and look good and be engaging whilst doing so.”

Looking good is something else Tshabalala is known for, as a Surf Laundry powder ambassador, she regularly pops up on TV, using her sports presenter prowess to advertise the product. Her 147 000 followers on Twitter are often treated to snaps of her glamorous life and corporates are able to book her as an MC for events and functions.

“I'm a very confident individual and this reflects in how I present,” says Tshabalala. She says what sets her apart is her passion. “I'm always up to date and ahead of the pack with breaking news.” Plus, she has the connections; “I have very close ties with many of the role players in global sport so am able to always get the inside scoop.”

For those wishing to claim their own sports journalism title, Tshabalala recommends mirroring her insatiable pursuit of world-class stories. “First thing,” she says, “have an insane passion for sport, eat, live and breathe it. Always be informed. Research, research, research and find new and innovative ways of perfecting your craft.”

For more information, follow her on Twitter.