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07 February 2018 Photo Adri Louw
KovsieFM programme manager joins SuperSport as field reporter
Sam Ludidi.

Sam Ludidi is no unfamiliar face on campus. He is currently busy with his second year of a BA Communication Science degree but started off as a BSocSc student five years ago. This KovsieFM programme manager recently joined the SuperSport team as a field reporter. He was selected from 70 candidates and recalls the phone call he received as the best he ever got. We checked in with him to see how he was enjoying the limelight.

It is difficult to choose between television and radio ... I think I prefer television. Then again, there’s a certain skill you need for radio because people don’t see you – that challenge intrigues me. But since I’m an expressive person, television allows me to express myself in full view of the audience.

Sport is my true passion, without a shadow of a doubt. I was born and raised in a sports-crazy house and always loved it – even watching the Proteas’ unfortunate loss to Australia in the Cricket World Cup when I was four. I’ve always loved cricket, but I just cannot keep myself away from rugby. Between the two sports, I’d probably lean towards rugby from an off-the-field perspective, and cricket if I’m on the field.

“You only have one chance
to make it work.”
—Sam Ludidi
Supersport Field Reporter

The best and worst thing about being a television presenter is that it is live. You only have one chance to make it work. When I get it right, I feel great, but on a difficult day, I am hard on myself. I’m still somewhat new to television, but the trick is to find out what makes me different from the rest. My character and charisma make me stand out.

I still can’t believe ... that I am doing my dream job, and it almost came out of nowhere. My incredible support structure from since before my TV presenter job still sticks with me. I learnt from my mother to glorify God with the work that I do, I know that He’s opened many doors which led to this and I cannot express just how blessed I am.

News Archive

Lecturer’s debut novel wins ATKV Prize for Fiction
2015-10-14

Dr Francois Smith
Photo: Johan Roux

Kamphoer made its debut on the literary scene just over a year ago, and on 11 September 2015, it was declared the best novel by the Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV). This is not the first time Kamphoer has been recognised as literary gem. Earlier this year, the novel was shortlisted for the W A Hofmeyr Prize as well as the Huisgenoot Tempo Award.

Dr Francois Smith, the author, joined the University of the Free State (UFS) as a lecturer in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at the beginning of this year. Prior to entering the academic sphere, he dedicated about 11 years of his life to editing for a publishing house. Certainly, helping other people write and produce books thoroughly prepared him for authorship.

For three months, Smith spent eight hours a day creating his award-winning masterpiece. The secret of success lies in the ABC formula. “The ABC for writing is Apply Back to Chair. You have to go and sit down and start typing,” he says.

That is when passion meets imagination, albeit at times, one might also need inspiration. Smith applied this winning formula meticulously, and it has resulted in over 30 000 copies of Kamphoer being sold since July 2014.

He was taken aback by the novel’s warm reception. “I wrote a book, finished it, and knew that it wasn’t bad but I never for one moment imagined that it would be such a big commercial success,” he said.

About Kamphoer

The book which Smith describes as a good but not an easy read about a disturbing subject is the true story of a woman who was brutally raped during the South African War and left for dead.  After the traumatic experience, she dedicates her life to helping others deal with similar ordeals, re-encountering her rapists in the process.

About the award

Kamphoer emerged as an exceptional contribution amongst two other finalists. Kerneels Breytenbach’s Ester as well as Harry Kalmer’s ’n Duisend stories oor Johannesburg were also competing for the prestigious award.


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