Thabang Manhika
(He/Him)
Doha
Covers:
Journalism, Public Engagement, Media Regulation, Strategic Communication, Content Strategy and Development
"Education is a process of living, not a preparation for future living."
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Filing newspapers and media monitoring
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Algorithms tailor news feeds to individual interests, but can also create echo chambers.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent: hands down. I actually grew up on Superman, and there’s something deeply relatable about him. On the surface, he’s this mild-mannered guy just doing his job. But underneath, he’s constantly fighting for truth and justice, not just with superpowers, but with storytelling.
What I love about Clark is his humility. Despite being literally superhuman, he puts people’s needs above his own. That spirit really mirrors the best of journalism, giving a voice to the voiceless, not in a dramatic or heroic way, but in a grounded, empowering, and empathetic one. It’s about serving the public, standing for truth, and making sure stories that matter are told.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To be a journalist is to be a custodian of truth, not just in what you report, but in how you carry yourself. It means being objective, even when your personal views beg to differ. It means listening more than you speak, questioning more than you assume, and representing others with accuracy, empathy, and respect.
Journalism isn't about having the loudest voice, it's about being a clear, honest one. It’s the work of putting people’s stories first, sometimes at the expense of your own comfort. At its core, it's a daily commitment to integrity: telling the story as it is, not as you'd like it to be, and trusting that the truth, when handled responsibly, always serves the public good.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Via e-mail
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, LinkedIn Analytics, Meta Business Suite, Grammarly, PowerBI, Laptop, Mobile phone, Tab.
What's your favorite social network?
Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit
Who do you wish followed you?
Barack Obama
Why did you become a journalist?
Honestly, it wasn’t some childhood dream or lifelong ambition. At the time, I was struggling to break into the hospitality industry, where I had originally trained. My aunt, who worked in media, casually suggested I give journalism a shot, partly because she was already in the field and thought it might be easier to help me find something. She was right.
What started as a practical move quickly revealed itself to be something deeper. I realised I actually enjoyed it. I liked the pace, the purpose, the privilege of telling stories that mattered. I thrived in it. In many ways, it turned out to be a calling I hadn’t seen coming, one I grew into and truly embraced.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
For my high school no, but for the journalism college. I was founder and editor of the college’s newsletter.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
“The Kudzai Sevenzo Story” still stands as the best story I’ve ever written.
It was raw, real, and unforced, the kind of story that writes you back. It wasn’t just reporting; it was capturing a moment in time before it became history. I was young, still learning the craft, but that piece reminded me that good storytelling is about seeing clearly and writing honestly.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Write something every day. Read something every day. Those two habits are your foundation, they sharpen your voice, broaden your perspective, and keep your skills alive.
But beyond that, there’s an unwritten rule in journalism: you need to know a little bit about everything. From politics to pop culture, economics to local slang - being well-informed makes you a better storyteller, a sharper interviewer, and a more trusted voice. Curiosity is your best tool. Never stop asking questions, and never stop learning.
When's the best time to pitch you?
The best time to pitch me is between 11:00 and 14:00 (Qatar time) — I’m most responsive in the late afternoon.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The Kudzai Sevenzo Story, pitched to me by Plot Mhako while I was still in college.
It wasn’t just a pitch; it was a moment that shaped how I understood storytelling. Kudzai wasn’t just a rising voice, she was a movement in the making. Plot saw it early, and that energy lit a fire in me. That pitch taught me that the best stories don’t shout, they echo.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst pitch I ever got came during my time at the secretariat. I was asked to write a speech for a board member on policy issues around elections, with absolutely no context. No information on where it would be presented, who would be in the audience, or what the board member’s goals were. I was simply told: “Just write something.”
It felt like being handed a blank canvas and told, “Create a masterpiece,” but without any paints, brushes, or even knowing what the gallery looked like. Effective speechwriting, after all, requires a clear understanding of purpose, audience, and tone. Without that, you might as well be throwing darts in the dark. That experience really drove home the point that, as communicators, we need more than just a topic, we need the full picture to deliver anything that sticks.
What's your favorite drink?
Green tea - Calming and quietly energising.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I’m not at my desk writing or strategizing, I’m most likely in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors the same way I explore stories: with curiosity, creativity, and care.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
A regular reader of Doha News and The Peninsula, I stay grounded in local perspectives while thinking globally.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
A common misconception about my beat is that it’s just about informing people; in truth, it’s about building systems of inclusion, where communication becomes a tool for agency, equity, and long-term impact.
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