Herman Moloi Wins Reporter Slam Poetry Competition

Moloi is the second Sowetan journalist to win this national title, following Koena Mashale, who previously won the international Reporter Slam Poetry competition in Uganda. Reflecting on his win, Moloi stated that preparing for the competition was relatively easy since he based his story on his personal experience. However, he noted that balancing his preparation with newsroom responsibilities posed a challenge.

"To be honest, the preparation didn’t take that much because it’s my story. The challenge was balancing work and preparing. At some point, I slept late putting the slides together," he said.

Moloi felt uncertain until the announcement of the winner, initially believing he was among the top three finalists. When he received the award, he realized the magnitude of his win. "When I was handed the award, that’s when it hit me to say, ‘Hey, you have won, Morena.’ It was amazing. I was very, very happy, and I appreciate everyone who voted," he remarked.

For Moloi, the experience extended beyond winning; it was an opportunity for self-reflection on his growth as a journalist and individual. He expressed that, in journalism, personal stories are often overlooked, but competitions like this encourage sharing and understanding one's strengths.

The competition featured authentic and deeply personal stories from various journalists, making for an engaging experience. "It was very hectic, and nice to learn my competitors’ stories. Everyone brought their A-game. I enjoyed every performance because it was authentic and very entertaining," he said.

During his presentation, Moloi faced time constraints and technical difficulties but managed to keep the audience engaged. "There was a lot going on in my mind. I had to think about time, slides, and challenges of playing the video. I also needed to make sure that the guests were entertained," he explained.

The win has inspired him to pursue further opportunities outside of his newsroom role. Moloi noted, "It’s motivating to know that someone who has been in the industry for the longest time could see potential in me. It means that I am growing as a journalist, and I am also growing as a person."

Sibongakonke Shoba, editor of Sowetan, expressed pride in Moloi's achievement, stating, "Herman is part of a talented group of rising stars within the Arena Holdings group, and it is truly inspiring to witness his hard work, dedication, and passion for the craft being recognised and rewarded." He emphasized that such achievements highlight the importance of perseverance and commitment in journalism.