Lunga Simelane, an award-winning political journalist from South Africa, recently took time to answer 20 questions for Maverick Insiders, giving readers a glimpse into her life beyond her sharp, investigative work. As a pop culture enthusiast, she shared her favourite book, film, and series, which include The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, American Gangster, and the K-drama series Tale of the Nine Tailed. Her love for fantasy, romance, and supernatural storylines is evident in her choices.
Simelane's online shopping habits are surprisingly mundane, with her most random purchase being a showerhead. She admitted to being very invested in finding the perfect one. Her phone habits reveal that she spends the most time on WhatsApp, and her love for pop culture trivia is unmatched. She enjoys random questions, especially when they're completely useless but somehow she knows the answer. This showcases her fun and lighthearted personality.
When it comes to travel, Simelane expressed her desire to relive an international cruise experience, spending five days in the middle of the ocean. She finds being surrounded by nothing but the ocean to be peaceful and surreal. Her preference for a window seat on a plane is driven by her need to see the view. If she could live as someone else for a day, she would choose to experience life as a princess, duchess, or viscountess in a royal family, complete with gowns, grand balls, and royal responsibilities.
Simelane's career highlight is winning the Vodacom Journalist of the Year award at both regional and national levels in the Sustainability category, as well as being a finalist in the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards. This achievement demonstrates her dedication and hard work in her field. Despite her tough exterior, she revealed that people are often surprised to learn that she is a soft, romantic lover girl, and not as strict or serious as they initially assume.
In a hypothetical scenario, Simelane joked that if she were to be arrested, it would likely be for helping a loved one cover up a crime, showcasing her loyalty to her family and friends. If she weren't working in her current role, she would be in the travel and tourism industry, allowing her to explore different places, cultures, and ways of life. Her love for travel and experiencing new things is clear.
Simelane's daily life is marked by her love for simple pleasures, such as her Arsenal football jersey, which is her most-worn item in her wardrobe. She also enjoys K-dramas, good food, and a glass of wine after a long week, as well as booking trips she probably doesn't need to book yet. Her guilty pleasures offer a glimpse into her relaxed and down-to-earth personality.
The journalist expressed her admiration for her mother, who she describes as one of the strongest and most resilient people she knows. Simelane's current goal is to travel to Italy, a destination she has always wanted to visit. With her passion for travel, pop culture, and storytelling, Lunga Simelane continues to make a name for herself in the journalism industry.
Key points
- Lunga Simelane is an award-winning political journalist with a passion for pop culture and travel.
- She has won several awards for her work, including the Vodacom Journalist of the Year award.
- Simelane's personality is a mix of tough and soft, with a love for romance, fantasy, and loyalty.
