Morning Live

Weekdays SABC2 (*192) 06:00 Weekends SABC2 (*192) 07:00

“Sport isn’t just for the boys” – that’s something 29-year-old SABC presenter Vaylen Kirtley feels strongly about. After all, the Joburger has been in the game for over a decade, ruling as the queen of TV sports while presenting on shows like Morning Live (2002-current).

How did you get into sport? For as long as I can remember I ran cross-country. I also tried netball and swimming. That, coupled with luck and a love of public speaking, mapped out my career so far. What’s the best part of your job… and the worst? Loving what I do! As for the worst, well, you have to take the good with the bad but the former certainly outweighs the latter. So how much research goes into your work? You’re not just handed a typed-out document like news anchors, right? As a reporter, it’s “read, research and ask questions”. That’s what I do on a daily basis. And what’s been your favourite sporting moment? There are way too many, like watching 100m-sprint champ Usain Bolt win gold at the Beijing Olympics (2008) at the Birds Nest stadium and Siphiwe Tshabalala’s opening goal for Bafana Bafana at the 2010 Soccer World Cup in Joburg. As a competitor, running the Comrades in 2010 – and anchoring it. What about a favourite sport star? There are a lot, like record-breaking sprinters Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya, soccer star Hlompo Kekana, cricketer AB de Villiers, golfer Gary Player’s legacy and rugby superstar Bryan Habana. How does travelling for work impact your personal life? I travel a bit and I enjoy it. Thankfully, I have a super supportive network at home that makes it easier. And do you have a dream sports event that you’d do anything to cover? Hosting the opening ceremony when South Africa hosts the 2028 Olympics… hopefully!