Elma Smit is one of South Africa’s most versatile and respected sports media professionals, celebrated for her ability to excel in high-pressure, male-dominated sporting environments with confidence, clarity, and warmth. As a sports MC, she facilitates everything from intimate leadership conversations to company keynotes, awards shows, and national broadcast events.
Her media career spans radio, television, content production, and feature reporting. At 25, she became the first woman to report on the Rugby World Cup for SuperSport, marking a historic milestone and cementing her reputation as a prominent voice in South African rugby. Since 2011, she has anchored major rugby magazine shows, pitch-side coverage, and live sporting broadcasts, while also contributing to JacarandaFM’s flagship breakfast show as its sport anchor.
Elma brings a unique mix of media training expertise, legal knowledge, on-air experience, and strategic communication insight.
Elma Smit is one South Africa’s most versatile media professionals, a young woman who comfortably holds her own in an all-male sporting environment. She creates custom, conversation-driven content for your event and is particularly passionate about media training, the power of sport and women’s rights.
She brings with her a warm personable presence, a wealth of experience in hosting radio as well as TV, producing and writing (in English as well as Afrikaans). The same effortless glamour that set her apart as a sought-after model in her early twenties, is now her hallmark in the male-dominated world of sport.
At the age of 25 Elma became the first woman to report on the Rugby World Cup for SuperSport and since 2011 she has established herself as one of the leading women in South African rugby. In addition to anchoring rugby magazine shows and pitch-side broadcasts for SuperSport, she is also a leading personality on JacarandaFM’s breakfast show, where she anchors the morning sport alongside Martin Bester & traffic anchor, Liesl Laurie.
Elma Smit also applies her legal background, creativity and knowledge of the South African media landscape as marketing consultant for South Africa’s rugby players’ association, MyPlayers.
While she is perhaps best known as the first lady of rugby, Lady Rugga, she also rose to fame for chairing discussion panels and providing plenty of business and current affairs coverage on kykNET’s immensely popular breakfast show Dagbreek alongside broadcasting legend Riaan Cruywagen. Elma Smit cut her teeth in TV as anchor of the flagship live music and entertainment show Studio1 on the erstwhile youth channel MK and spent 8 years at entertainment powerhouse 5FM as executive producer, DJ as well as presenter.
In addition to an array of corporate MC gigs, Elma has also proven her mettle as anchor or co-anchor of live award shows for broadcast, such as five SARU Player of the Year Gala dinners, the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Fund Gala Dinner, the Pendoring Toekennings, the Ghoema’s, the SAMA’s and 6 editions of the annual MK Awards.
Elam Smit has travelled extensively for television as well as influencer marketing and corporate MC work, promoting tourism destinations and hosting international conferences.
She is an ambassador for Tag Heuer in South Africa, as well as leading South African brands Kingsley Heath, Gary Rom and pHFormula.
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This 2 minute 28 second showreel highlights Elma Smit’s versatility and authority as a sports presenter and interviewer. The clip opens with her introducing herself as the familiar first voice audiences hear, immediately establishing her on-air presence. She seamlessly transitions into pitch-side reporting, sharing insights on team logistics, travel schedules, and preparations for the Rugby World Cup. Her delivery is polished, natural, and filled with contextual detail that strengthens viewer understanding.
Throughout the reel, Elma interviews top rugby personalities, demonstrating her ability to guide meaningful, fast-paced conversations. She speaks with athletes about personal challenges, including nutrition, performance pressures, and the broader impact of the sport. Her questions are sharp yet empathetic, revealing her strong research skills and the trust athletes place in her.
The reel also showcases Elma’s commentary during major tournaments, including the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town. She blends analytical insight with light, engaging banter, shifting smoothly between serious discussion and playful interaction. Whether on Table Mountain or pitch-side, she maintains clarity, confidence, and an energetic connection with both guests and viewers.
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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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