Devi Sankaree Govender is one of South Africa’s most recognisable and respected journalists, celebrated for her uncompromising approach to current affairs and her ability to confront challenging issues with clarity, courage, and integrity. She began her media career at just 21, freelancing for the SABC while completing her BA at the University of Natal. Her early rise from music presenter and news reader to talk show host on Lotus FM established her reputation for direct, honest, and impactful conversations. Her long-running daily chat show became widely known for engaging South Africans on sensitive and controversial topics with insight and empathy.
A pivotal moment in Devi’s career came in 1998 when she interviewed former President Nelson Mandela, an experience that solidified her national profile. She transitioned seamlessly between media platforms, securing her television debut in 1996 as a continuity presenter on SABC 1’s Eastern Mosaic. While maintaining her broadcasting career, she also became an influential voice in print journalism. Joining the Sunday Times as a weekly columnist in 1998, she later became the publication’s Features Editor in Durban, with her column now running in its tenth successful year.
Armed with an MBA, she has built a brand of trust, authenticity, and justice. Devi currently sits on two boards and, after 18 years at “Carte Blanche,” South Africa’s longest-running investigative television show, she joined eMedia (eTV and eNCA) in 2020. Amidst a global pandemic, she launched “The Devi Show,” which has garnered millions of viewers per week and won a South African Film and Television Award for Best Factual Programme in 2021.
At the age of 21, Devi Sankaree Govender started her journalism career, landing a freelance job at the SABC while completing a BA degree at the University of Natal in Durban. She quickly transitioned from presenting music shows and reading the news to becoming a talk show host for the national public broadcaster, Lotus FM. Devi’s daily radio chat show, known for its straightforward approach to tackling sensitive and controversial issues, ran for several years.
A year into her teaching stint, Devi Sankaree Govender resigned from the Department of Education to join the SABC full-time. Her most memorable radio interview was with former President Nelson Mandela in 1998. Her television break came in 1996 when she was hired as a freelance continuity presenter for SABC 1’s “Eastern Mosaic.” While maintaining her radio and television career, Devi joined the Sunday Times in 1998 as a weekly columnist and later became the Features Editor in Durban. Her weekly column is now in its tenth successful year.
Devi’s penchant for ‘trouble’ saw her being assaulted while working on a story about the ‘Gum Tree Gang,’ a band of appliance repairmen in Durban, and being locked up in a garage on the South African Medical University’s campus.
After Devi Sankaree Govender completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management and an MBA through the University of Natal, Devi Sankaree Govender added to her skills by moving into the media training environment – she coaches senior managers on media strategy, crisis communication and interview techniques.
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In this 3 minute 39 second segment, Devi Sankaree Govender speaks about her move to eNCA and what audiences can expect from her work at the channel. Known for her sharp investigative style and uncompromising approach to accountability, Devi reflects on her longstanding passion for journalism and her belief in the power of media to challenge wrongdoing and give voice to ordinary people.
She describes her transition to eNCA as an opportunity to continue pursuing hard-hitting stories while also engaging with a broader audience. Devi notes that the channel offers a strong platform for impactful current affairs reporting, and she expresses enthusiasm about joining a newsroom known for its national reach and influence. Throughout the conversation, she emphasises her commitment to ethical journalism, thorough investigation, and public-interest storytelling.
Devi also speaks about the state of journalism in South Africa, acknowledging both the pressures facing newsrooms and the importance of maintaining credibility and integrity. She highlights how investigative work has become even more crucial in a climate where corruption, mismanagement, and inequality affect daily life. At the same time, she expresses gratitude for the support she receives from viewers who value honest reporting.
In this 15 minute 49 second interview, Devi Sankaree Govender reflects on her path to becoming one of South Africa’s most respected investigative journalists. She begins by describing how her passion revealed itself early: she discovered a natural talent for public speaking and, at age 15, watched the debut of Carte Blanche. The show ignited her fascination with investigative journalism, even though the political climate of the late 1980s made such ambitions dangerous. That same year, she won the prestigious Natal Best Speaker competition, reinforcing her sense of direction.
Devi explains that passion alone is not enough. She emphasises the importance of having a plan, writing goals down, and actively pursuing opportunities. While completing her BA degree, she applied widely for media jobs and eventually landed a newsreading role at Lotus FM, despite initially failing the audition. Through determination and continuous practice, she broadened her skills, moved into music presenting, and eventually filled in for a talk show host—a moment that launched her full-time radio career. Her bold choice of discussion topics helped define her voice, leading to high-impact conversations on identity, belonging, and social change.
A pivotal milestone came when Nelson Mandela invited her to discuss community concerns he had heard on her show. She boldly used that moment to ask him to appear on air, insisting on asking unscripted questions. He agreed, marking a defining achievement early in her career. Shortly afterwards, the Sunday Times recruited her as a columnist, and she later became Features Editor in Durban.
Throughout the interview, Devi stresses the power of skill-building and diversification. To prepare for future investigative work, she pursued an MBA so she could understand financial statements and hold corporations accountable. After sending her showreel to Carte Blanche, she secured a place on the team, although her first year was slow. Reinventing her approach, she leaned into her instinctive, confrontational style, delivering a breakthrough story on driver’s licence fraud that shaped her on-screen identity. She spent 18 years on the show before moving on to new opportunities, including leading her own programme.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Virtual speaking appearances can indeed offer cost savings compared to in-person events. Virtual speaking rates are often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates due to factors such as reduced travel expenses and logistics. This makes virtual events a cost-effective alternative for organizations looking to book speakers within a budget.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
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