Why I quit the rat race – East Coast Radio’s Anisa Ussuph
One of East Coast Radio’s longest-serving employees, Anisa Ussuph, has resigned from the station to “be a full-time mum and to bravely pursue a dream.” The former news anchor and the station’s current communications specialist has hung up her corporate stilettoes.
Anisa Ussuph has resigned from East Coast Radio after 15 years with the station. The award-winning journalist is embracing a new chapter, laying out her own terms for juggling motherhood and career.Anisa began her career as a trainee journalist at East Coast Radio before moving to Jo’burg to take up the position of news anchor on SAfm. In 2001, she returned to East Coast Radio as the morning news anchor and has since spanned three departments within the station, earning two Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards and an MTN Radio Award along the way.
“The opportunity to work and learn alongside broadcasting legends such as Daryl Ilbury, Dave Guselli, Damon Beard, Darren Scott and Alan Khan to mention but a few is priceless. Having had one the country’s top media leaders, Mary Papayya, as a mentor is immeasurable. I am truly grateful to everyone at the station who made the past 15 years so memorable.”
During her time as senior journalist, Anisa covered post-war Iraq, reported from the earthquake-ravaged region of Pakistani-administered Kashmir and visited the war-wracked southern Sudanese region of Dafur. In recent years, Anisa headed up East Coast Radio’s PR and Media Relations portfolio and has now decided to tap into her extensive knowledge and skills-set to write a new chapter in her career.
“I have a four year old and like every working mother, the guilt that comes with juggling motherhood and a career is overwhelming,” says Anisa. “Whether women are conditioned by society or whether it’s the fact that we place an enormous amount of pressure on ourselves to be the best mother, best co-worker, best employee, best boss, best wife, best business partner, best this and best that…the fact is we have hard-earned our title of ‘Master Jugglers.’ But at some stage, we are all forced to re-evaluate and rethink. For me, it translated into realising my dream of owning my own media and PR agency while simultaneously having the freedom to be a stay-at-home mum. This feeling is unbelievably empowering.”
Anisa now steps into her new role of heading up KZN Media and Communications (KZNMC) – a strategic communications agency that offers a range of services including media relations, content curation, PR, copywriting and academic services.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” she says. “I am fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband and family so my grounding is rock-solid. Throw in true grit, determination and a never-say-die attitude and I think I’m more than ready to write my new chapter!”
Speaking of writing, Anisa has just wrapped up her first children’s book, which will hit the shelves next year. “Some things are best kept secret, for now! Let’s just say that this project fills my heart with joy and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!”
To get in touch with Anisa:
Visit her website] or email her
Image: Provided