Alicia Naidoo joined The South African back in 2020 via the #gig4students programme and now she’s thriving a lifestyle and entertainment journalist.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ALICIA NAIDOO
- Alicia Naidoo was born on 10 April 1997 in Chatsworth, south of Durban. She is the first-born child and has just one sibling.
- The 25-year-old was the first in her family to graduate at the age of 23. She graduated for the first time in 2019 with her National Diploma in journalism from the Durban University of Technology.
- She majored in broadcasting and went on to work in the TV and film industry while she completed her Bachelor of Technology in journalism degree in 2019, graduating for the second time during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
- Alicia’s screen credits include SABC and cinema, as she worked as a production coordinator on Kandasamys: The Wedding at the age of 22.
- She completed her Masters degree in journalism in 2022.
FROM #GIGS4STUDENTS TO CELEB NEWS REPORTER
Alicia joined The South African as a recipes writer in 2020 until Cornelia le Roux, the lifestyle manager who mentored the #gig4students programme, approached her to join the initiative.
She then joined the other students while she was studying toward her Masters degree. When the programme ended, Alicia stayed on as a freelance writer and found herself leaning towards the celeb news.
“Having spent years working in film and TV, it was challenging to get into the groove of writing. Thankfully, Cornelia had this undying passion to grow writers. So, she guided me every step of the way in my journey as a writer, helping me learn from my mistakes until I started producing top-performing articles. I truly am so grateful to be where I am with all her guidance.”
Alicia continued to work closely with Cornelia, who guided her as became one of the most passionate celeb news writers at The South African. The 25-year-old is now a thriving lifestyle content producer.
Calling all young women writers! Click here to find out about ‘The South African’s’ Women in Journalism programme
WORKING AT ‘THE SOUTH AFRICAN’
Alicia loves working in a “virtual office” and cannot see herself going back to working in a physical office.
“Moving from working at an actual office to a more flexible environment has been life-changing. I don’t see myself wanting to go back to an actual office because of how comfortable working from home is.”
‘SOFT-NEWS JUNKIE‘
Entertainment journalism seems to be less respected than hard news but Alicia is unbothered; she finds lifestyle and entertainment the most exciting and fulfilling.
“Hard news is great, but once you enter the lifestyle and entertainment category, there is nothing more exciting than keeping up with the most loved [and hated] celebrities and their often lavish lifestyles.
“There are so many aspects in journalism but I have always been enticed by the more ‘glamorous’ side. From following reality shows to keeping up with celebrity scandals and more, there is such an adrenaline rush to navigating the latest trending topic and finding all the angles,” says Alicia
ADVICE FROM ALICIA FOR STUDENTS AND WOMEN IN JOURNALISM
Alicia says she chose journalism because she yearned for a career that would quench her thirst to explore.
“Personally I pursued a career in journalism because I could not see myself doing a regular 8-5 in the same office, every day. Journalism allows you the opportunity to go out into the field, to attend events and travel.
“For students and women in journalism, I think the most important thing is to focus on your studies, make sure you involve yourself in the field while you’re still studying and never give up,” says Alicia.
Click here to read Alicia’s articles.