By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Award-winning radio sport commentator Constance ‘Connie’ Matjipa has come a very long way in the broadcasting industry.
And, by her own admission, Thobela FM’s Matjipa overcame many hurdles in her quest to become one of the best sport commentators in South Africa.
Being on radio was a fulfilment of a dream Matjipa had while doing standard five (now Grade 7) at Rethabile Primary School in Namakgale, Phalaborwa.
“My love for radio started when I was at primary school. I played netball and I must admit that I was not good at it. I then developed an interest in football and I enhanced my knowledge of the sport by reading newspapers. My knowledge of sport helped me get into radio,” she said.
Matjipa’s determination and hunger for greatness behind the microphone have paid off. This is so despite having had a tough time trying to convince Thobela FM listeners that she knew her story.
Enlisting the services of a woman commentator at the time was viewed by other listeners as risky business. It was a risk, which paid off in the end as Matjipa went on to scoop two major awards in 2006 and 2007.
“It was not easy in the beginning. I encountered numerous challenges and I’m very happy to say I overcame all of them,” she said.
“Initially, I had to convince the listeners that I knew what I was doing. Remember that the doors were beginning to open for female commentators at the time.”
While the listeners were beginning to warm up to her, Matjipa met some challenges at match venues.
Security personnel at Loftus Versfeld once barred her from entering the dressing rooms while security officials at the Orlando Stadium flatly refused to allow her to gain entry into the commentary booth.
She only made it into the Orlando Stadium commentary booth after the intervention of the late Orlando Pirates marketing manager Zodwa Khoza.
“Looking back from how far I have come, I remember an incident at Loftus where I was refused entry into the dressing rooms while doing my work during a match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos. I only managed to gain entry after an intervention from my male colleagues,” Matjipa, who does sport bulletins on Thobela FM breakfast show Ditlalemeso, said.
“Another incident was in Orlando during a game between Orlando Pirates and Dynamos. Security guards refused to let me go into the commentary booth. I only went in after the late Zodwa Khoza intervened on my behalf. I’m still grateful for what she did for me.”
The Namakgale-born mother of one got a chance to get into radio after she saw a newspaper advert for a position of sport commentator at Thobela FM in 1998.
Matjipa has not looked back since acing an interview, which was conducted by radio legends Rudolph Letsoalo, Jimmy Mohlaloga, Max Mojapelo and Lekotsoana Mokonyane.
“I won the Castle Commentator of the Season award in 2006 and 2007. This, to me, is the biggest award I have ever won. This is always something special to me. I also won the 2002 Castle Newcomer Commentator of the Season,” Matjipa said.
The 44-year-old Matjipa, a recipient of an award from former Limpopo Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi, has done a lot since she became a sport commentator in August 1999. She has worked and done commentary in five FIFA World Cup Finals, five Olympic tournaments and 10 world boxing titles.
