Vinoliah “Snow Vinoh” Tshifhango nominated for MAMA award

A resident of Tshisaulu village near Thohoyandou, Vinoliah "Snow Vinoh" Tshifhango, has earned herself a nomination for a Mzansi Arts and Media Awards (MAMA) in the most coveted category of Best Radio Presenter.

Vinoliah, who is currently attached to Vhembe FM, said that she was glad that her talent as radio presenter was being recognised.

“I feel privileged to be part of the Mzansi Arts and Media Awards,” she said. “To be honest, it feels great to be nominated because I have never been nominated for anything before. Winning this award would mean the world to me. It would show that the hard work I have put into the radio industry for almost three years has been worth it.”

Vinoliah’s love for the media and communication started when she fell in love with writing poems, essays, plays and short stories from as early as the age of 12. She said that a voice inside her was telling her to write.

She always amazed her educators at Liivha Combined School with her writing ability, so that some of them encouraged her to keep reading and writing. She demonstrated oratory skills as well, keeping her listeners hungry for more of her words.

Some years after taking up the pen as writer in the village of her birth, where she acted out the role of Tshedza Reading Club leader, Vinoliah registered for a national diploma in journalism with Jeppe College in Gauteng. “I wanted the fundamental skills of a media practitioner, with more focus on multi-media, so that I can practise on a variety of media platforms,” she said. “I graduated in 2015, and soon after I secured a slot on Vhembe FM where I served as host for the Ndilo-muthathe at Vhembe FM show between 10:00 and 13:00 from Monday to Friday. I also do Ndededzi na Zwidade on Saturdays between 09:00 and 10:00.”

She was inspired by radio hosts such as Rotenda Mangoma, Murendeni Muhali and Hulisani Phosiwa Muloiwa. “Rotenda and Hulisani possess great skills as radio-show anchors,” she said. “I look up to them as a young presenter and get knowledge, wisdom and skill.”

As lead facilitator for Tshedza Reading Club, Vinoliah keeps the children's minds active through monitoring and moderating their reading. She also teaches them creative writing. “I love spending time with children, because they are our country's future,” she said. “I teach them to read and write. I also do audio recordings of some stories with them. Trust me, the children demonstrate amazing story-telling talent.”

Vinoliah told Limpopo Mirror that she found her purpose for living in the small projects she found herself doing, such as reaching thousands of Vhembe FM's listeners through the radio medium and working with children at a reading club. “We need to acknowledge the days we have here on earth and make life easier and enjoyable for ourselves,” she said.

Those interested in voting for Vinoliah could do so by SMSing MAMA 1388 to 40439. An SMS costs R2. The closing date is 30 September.

Entertainment - Date: 09 July 2020

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]