People You Should Know: Gabisile Ndebele

The Times journalist Gabisile Ndebele is one of the most phenomenal women I have come across. She is educated, intelligent, opinionated wand has a strong will and a beautiful smile. It’s kind of difficult not to like her, even her now best bud Euphonik knows that. She is down to earth, likes cheese besides tweeting. Seeing that it’s women’s month, I thought speaking to a woman that makes me tick and fills up my timeline would be appropriate.

Tha Hustler - Background of where you were born, grew up etc....

Gabi Ndebele - I was born at Natalspruit Hospital in what is called Ekurhuleni now, moved to KwaZulu Natal with my mother in 1994 where I studied in Portshepstone Senior Primary School.

TH- How was it growing up? Would you say you were a good or bad child?

GN - I would consider myself a good child, my mother was a struggling mother who worked hard to get me to where I am and taking me school, because she had me at a young age and was forced to grow up quickly because of me. It was tough until my step-father whom I say is my daddy came along, he was like a light in our dark tunnel. And I love him to bits for that...

TH - Biggest influence in your life?

GN - I'd say my mother, she never gave up on me, never left me to fend for myself and if I could reveal how she had me you would be amazed at all the challenges and times she had to face. And her struggle to make a better life for me made me a grateful person I am today.

TH - What made you go into journalism and where did you study?

GN - I studied journalism in UKZN in Pietermaritzburg, at first I wanted to do BComm Accounting but the influence of reading papers from my uncle Siphiwe, who used to send us to buy him the Sowetan since I was a kid, made me fascinated by the idea of writing for a paper. And when I was enrolling in University I chose journalism, even though my parents were not sold on the idea, they supported me and I haven't looked back since.

TH - Did you have the support of your parents/family studying journalism? How did it make you and them feel?

GN - Like I said, at first they were sceptical thinking this job won’t make me money but they saw my love for it and supported me into doing till the end.

TH - Varsity life VS Working life, which one was your best?

GN - Varsity life was the best in terms of living la vida loca, but working is turning out to be a blast in its own right. Except for the broke days, if you know what I mean.

TH - What makes a good journalist in your eyes?

GN - Ethics, good knowledge and eye and ear for news makes one a good journalist, yes that could be everyone if they wanted but this is an acquired skill I must say.

TH - Being an entertainment journalist and having done so many party reviews with the same crowd, what keeps your readers gloomed to your blog and/or stories?

GN - I think people learn to love the writer and what they write about and have trust in them in filling them in on what's happening. And for me that seems to be the outcome, I have become the trusted eyes and ears of people who can’t go to parties or events but want to know what happened etc.

TH - What is the best part about being an entertainment journalist and what are some of the perks?

GN - You get to travel a lot and meet people from all over the world and meet people you are fans to... I love that about my job, although I can never have groupie moments hahaha

TH - Having made friends with some personalities or celebs, does it make it difficult writing about their negative stories? How do you get around this?

GN - Let’s get this correct, I'm not in this business to make friends, to me we have a business relationship, they trust me to call them when there is bad news and get their side of the story out and that is what I have done in all cases of bad news. The people who know and understand the business will know this is nothing personal and that it's my job, hence it’s never tough for me to call them up and tell them the bad news. It’s up to them how they take it, as long as they know I did my bit.

TH - Who are the coolest celebs to hang with?

GN - Coolest? WOW, so far I would say I have enjoyed the company of US rapper 50cent, The Game who were both very open to me when I spoke to them and they seemed clued up. And locally it will have to be Khanyi Mbau, Bonang Matheba the list is endless... they epitomize entertainment in SA

TH - Best party or event you have attended this year and what made it stand out?

GN - It will have to be The Felix in Germany last weekend, I had a blast with Anele, Grant and many other people... But then again I been to so many parties that's just the one I remember cause its recent

TH - Who do you think is the juiciest male personality in the country and in the world?

GN - Juiciest... wow I have crushes on many guys hahaha okay juicy is a tough one... But seeing Lungile Radu, Trey Songz, Barack Obama, the list could go on... Always makes me go ahhhhh LOL

TH - What is the misconception about you?

GN - The fact that I’m a celebrity... I am not, I will never be... I just happen to write about the celebrities nothing more!

TH - I know you love your country, what makes you proud of SA?

GN - My people, the diversity and the fact that I could go anywhere and still feel at home. In other countries people tend to be territorial about which part of a city they are from and here it seems to not be the case!

TH - If you could be a flavour what would it be?

GN - Mint--- don't ask me why??

TH - If you could have a dish named after you, what would it be?

GN - hahaha this is hilarious, I've never been asked this before. I say Gabilicious- definitely have to have cheese in it no matter what it is.

TH - Do you still maintain your “my space” page and have you ever googled yourself, when was the last time?

GN - I have googled myself purely because I was looking for a story I did that I wanted to use as reference hahaha and that’s the truth. I haven't seen my "My Space" page in yonkes... Come to think of it I must hey...

TH - What’s currently playing in your car and which cd never leaves your car?

GN - I'm loving Travie McCoy at the moment been pumping him for a week now, CD that never leaves my car definitely has to be Maxwell's latest album... I loved this guy since I was a teenager and I don’t think I’m over him yet.

TH - Where do you see yourself in 5years?

GN - 5years, I want so much for myself, but I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch... So for now will have to say FAR! hahaha