Lotus FM’s Salma Patel nominated for Telkom Radio Award

NewsSportOpinionLifestyleEntertainmentNewsLotus FM’s Salma Patel nominated for Telkom Radio AwardNeesha Maharaj|Published 16 minutes agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AISalma Patel

Lotus FM Current Affairs and News Bulletins executive producer Salma Patel has been nominated for a Telkom Radio Award, recognising nearly three decades in broadcast journalism.

Patel whose career in broadcast at the SABC spans 28 years said she was humbled by the recognition.

“I am up against five other journalists who are colleagues. I felt like I had already won the awards when I received the nomination. This is a good reflection of my career and the work I do for the Lotus FM,” said Patel.

Patel’s last accolade was winning the 2008 Best Current Affairs Presenter in the SABC News Awards.

Patel attributed her success to a strong family network, a supportive spouse and colleagues.

“I enjoy listening to people, listening to their stories and telling their stories. It is essential in journalism to be the voice of the voiceless,” she said.

Reflecting on her career, Patel recalled an experience of sitting around a bola (bonfire) with prospective voters in Phoenix many years ago.

“I recall a man giving his comments on voting. Suddenly he threw in the line `Everything is fantasy, nothing is reality’. It took great effort for me not to laugh. I had my husband who accompanied me, nudging me not to laugh.

“After learning that I was interviewing people about election another man said ‘I can leave Phoenix, but Phoenix will never leave me’. Those were some humorous moments that I will always remember,” said Patel.

A highlight for Patel was a live broadcast from Crawford College, La Lucia when pupils got to speak to Mark Shuttleworth while he was  in space. This was a part of the Hip to be Square Campaign.

Another was when Patel interviewed Amitabh Bachan when he attended the International Indian Film Award (IIFA)in South Africa in 2008.

Patel said Bachan was witty, funny and epitomised everything a movie hero should be.

She said she drew inspiration from people like Judge Navi Pillay, Ashwin Desai and the late Ashwin Trikamjee.

When she is away from work Patel loves to spend time with her family, go out with her friend, cook and walk outdoors with her husband, Arafat Ismail.

O’ Neil Nair and Keshav Dass have also been nominated for the Breakfast Show and Music Entertainment Show.