Dorianne on M&G list

This article was first published on Voice of the Cape's website: www.vocfm.co.za


VOC’s Breakfast Beat presenter and award-winning producer Dorianne Arendse is one person you have to take out to lunch. That’s according to the Mail & Guardian newspaper, who listed the news hungry journalist on their 200 Young South Africans list, officially unveiled in Johannesburg on Thursday. The Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans displays exceptional young achievers making an impact in various fields as they shape the country's future.

Arendse jetted off to the special luncheon in Sandton where she rubbed shoulders with these young dynamos. She will be featured in Friday’s supplement of the Mail and Guardian. Short-listing the candidates was a rigorous process for judges because they had to track the work done by the candidate over a period of time. “I think it’s the first time a community radio journalist made it onto the list but I do speak under correction. Most of the reporters that have made the list in the past come from main stream media,” she told Drivetime from OR Tambo International Airport.

“It’s a wonderful achievement…I feel very honoured. And I know this will be a huge boost for my career.” She believes the mere fact to be nominated for such an accolade shows that community radio is a force to be reckoned with. Arendse emphasised that the work The Voice of the Cape is delivering is of the required standard as the station is competing with people in other media. “VOC has won numerous awards over the last three years in various categories. We have proven that we can compete with the big guns and we come out on top…” she enthused.

Quite a number of people from media houses such as SABC and Primedia made the cut, including her ‘rival’, 567 Cape Talk presenter Africa Melani, who went head to head with her in a debate on the merits of community radio versus commercial radio. The keynote speaker at the event was Minister for National Planning, Trevor Manuel.

“I think the development of youth was one of the key factors in Minister Trevor Manuel’s speech as he put the National Development plan in place for 2030. The minister’s speech was geared towards motivating and inspiring us as the youth to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Arendse said. The ambitious reporter kept busy at the event by requesting an interview with Manuel, who promised to make himself available in August for an exclusive interview.

Arendse returns home with the accolade and a great career to look forward to. “If someone is going to Google your name they are going to see that your name was on the list. The list is pretty hot as people look out for it every single year.” exclaimed Arendse. VOC (Tashneem Abrahams)