Bang Bang Betty

OWN CORRESPONDENT

1.    What drew you to become a journalist?

As a child, I’d always had a keen sense for news and always wanted to be the first one at home to tell everyone what was happening in the world.

However, September 11 was probably the catalyst moment that led me into journalism. I specifically remember watching the events unfold on TV and the rush that came with “reporting” what had happened to my mom. She initially told me to turn off “that ridiculous action movie” because I wasn’t allowed to watch such movies as a kid.

When I went back to the TV, I saw reports of a plane crashing into the Pentagon and I desperately ran to her to tell her that now a plane had gone into both the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon – again she didn’t believe me. I turned on the TV in her room and we both watched as the second plane went into the South Tower.

From then on whenever something newsworthy happened, I’d always be the first one to inform my family and to be honest I loved the rush that came with doing so. 

2.   What do you most love to cover or write about?

I love the adrenaline rush that comes with covering breaking news and protests. Moreover, I think it’s extremely important to highlight the disparities and lack of service delivery that the poorer communities deal with on a daily basis. My biggest hope is that by reporting on their plight, action will be taken by government to fix or rectify the issues faced by poorer communities.

I’m also an avid environment and wildlife reporter.  

3.   What has been the story you are most proud of to date?

One of my best was an in-depth look into the murder of 14 illegal miners who were killed over gold and turf wars during March this year. It was an extremely dangerous situation to delve into and there were times, while we were out at the mines, where my life was endangered. However, I felt it was important to get the truth out into the public domain of what really happened and why the zama zamas do what they do.  

4.   What happened to you last Monday?

I was sent out to cover a service delivery protest in Eldorado Park where residents were protesting lack of housing and jobs.

There were continued running battles between police and protesters from all sides and when I ran in with police to report on the situation, two groups ambushed us and started throwing rocks at the media and police.

We were cornered and I was hit in the shoulder and stomach – police then shot rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the crowd and clear a path for us to get to safety.

A few minutes later, I was behind the police line and the group pushed forward and started throwing rocks, bricks and glass and some were purposefully aiming at the media. My phone rang and I looked down for a second to see if it was my boss calling and in that moment I was hit on the back of my head with a rock. A colleague next to me had screamed for me to “duck” but it was too late.

5.   How did you react?

I was a bit shocked, it felt a bit surreal, but it wasn’t a total surprise. I was in a lot of pain and my head felt very heavy – that was more concerning for me than anything else.

My colleagues took me to the paramedics and they suspected I was concussed and insisted I should go to hospital. I decided not to and ridiculously continued reporting for another few hours. With all the adrenaline pumping, I don’t think I realised the seriousness of the injury.

 The next morning I went to the doctor due to the unbearable pain, nausea and dizziness I was experiencing and I was told I had a concussion.

6.   How did you feel about it?

At the time, I thought I needed to get out of the immediate vicinity, because the situation was becoming too dangerous. In the following days, I realised how lucky I was. What came to mind was how I’d said my morning Shema just before we arrived at the protest as it had been too dark for me to say it when I left for work that morning. I have no doubt that that’s what saved my life.

The hostility towards the media is also a big concern, especially by the very residents whose plea we’re trying to put across.

7.   Why are you making aliyah?

I’ve always wanted to live in Israel and experience life there. I wanted to move there after my gap year but realised it was important to get a degree and also chalk up some experience first. Seven years, two degrees and three years of experience later, I realised it was time to take the plunge and live my dream – if not now then when?

8.  How do you feel about leaving South Africa?

It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. There have been moments where I’ve been torn over moving to Israel. I love this country and it’s given me so much and made me into the person I am today – for that I’ll always be grateful and I’ll always see myself as having two homes. 

9. How would you describe your relationship with Israel?

Overall I would say it’s good – a little conflicted at times. I truly love Israel and most of what it stands for.

However, I understand that it’s not perfect and just like every country in the world it has its problems. I know I’ll be swapping one set for another. My gran use to always say that “you don’t run from your fate, you run to it”, which is where I think Hashem is guiding me.

Obviously, when it comes to Israel there are certain things I don’t agree with including some of the government’s policies, but for any citizen of any country it’s par for the course, as the saying goes: “The first step to becoming Israeli is to have an opinion.”

10. What will you be saddest to leave when you get on that plane?

My family. I’m leaving behind my parents and siblings and not seeing them or interacting with them on a day-to-day basis is going to be a challenge.