Biography
Phathiswa Magopeni is a South African-born media personality. She was the head of news and current affairs at the SABC in 2018. Her expertise in the broadcasting industry has earned her many top roles.
Though many know her for her knacks for the media, Magopeni loved singing. With no formal music class, she discovered her talent.
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Phathiswa Magopeni |
| Born: | South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Teaching |
| Alma mater: | University of Western Cape |
| Siblings: | 4 |
| Spouse: | Wilmot Magopeni |
| Children: | 3 |
Early Life
Phathiswa Magopeni was born in South Africa. She grew up and studied in Tsomo in the Eastern Cape.
At eight, Magopeni lost her mother, who died in childbirth. Her family split up, and she moved to live with her elder brother.
Her brother stayed in the boarding school, but her younger brother stayed with her. She catered for her younger brother while a married relative paid an occasional visit.
Education
The media personality was in the first matric class of 12 at Zwelixolile Senior Secondary School.
After enrolling to study music at the University of Cape Town, the school rejected her.
The school demanded a theoretical background which she didn’t have. She then went on to study teaching at the University of Western Cape.
Magopeni has a Master of Philosophy in education and an Integrated Marketing Communications Diploma.
Phathiswa holds other qualifications from other institutions – a Master of Business Administration. She ran a doctoral proposal for a Doctor of Business Administration degree at Gordon Institute of Business Science.
Career
Magopeni has worked as a desk producer for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
The public broadcaster announced her among its new group executive of current affairs and took the reins on March 1, 2018. Phathiswa worked at eNCA.
In January 2022, the SABC fired Phathiswa Magopeni. She was guilty of misconduct for not preventing the airing of an interdicted episode of Special Assignment.
SABC Group CEO Madoda Mxakwe accused her of failing to ensure that an episode wasn’t aired in October because of a court interdict.
Magopeni claims the broadcast was a mistake and says it wasn’t her instruction.
Hearing
In December 2021, Phathiswa Magopeni was found guilty of misconduct after a disciplinary hearing. She failed to prevent the airing, publication, and broadcast of an interdicted Special Assignment episode.
Accusation laid on her was misconduct, negligence, and bringing the public broadcaster into disrepute. She faced other charges – failure to discharge her fiduciary duties.
A SABC News report revealed that the disciplinary hearing chairperson Nazeer Cassim ruled there was no evidence to suggest Magopeni deliberately defied an order of the court. But he recommended that she receives a warning.
Personal Life
Phathiswa Magopeni is a wife and mother of three sons. Her husband, Wilmot Magopeni, is a general manager in the banking sector.Â