From catering to winning ‘The Chair on SABC1’, Limpopo-born Lydia Shiko, has proven that passion and hard work pay off.
Shiko is a passionate Marketing and PR professional from Lephalale, Limpopo. Raised in Marapong by her single mother, she learned resilience and resourcefulness early on. After school, she worked in events and catering, and even started small businesses to support her family.
The Thirty-year-old is a jack of all trades and master of all, through commitment, resilience, hard work, discipline and being a risk taker. She has not forgotten her roots as she plays a big role in giving back to the youth of Marapong and works hard to see everyone around her winning and succeeding in life.
“One of my proudest community contributions has been mentoring matriculants, helping them apply for university and navigate their studies and future plans. Seeing their growth has been incredibly rewarding. I hope to expand this initiative, reaching more learners and giving them the support and confidence they need to chase their dreams. For me, it’s about giving back and being the kind of mentor I needed when I was younger”, said Shiko.
Her recent win on The Chair, SABC1, has led to Shiko clinching a job as a social media coordinator for Baroka Funerals. Like all candidates that applied on The Chair SABC1, she hoped to do well, not freeze in front of the camera and to hopefully impress her potential employer. Being put on the spot for the fate of her future was definitely a challenging one. She describes the experience as amazing and nerve-wracking as she missed her daily work to be on television, especially because it was an interview. Only this time, there’s cameras and her former employer and thousands of South Africans would see this.
Hearing her name being called as one of the chosen candidates felt like a dream, more so because she had doubts. She had what ifs at the back of her mind as she had risked her job to be on the show. After being announced as the winner the doubts were immediately flushed out of her mind and a still small voice said it was all worth it.
With this recent win, Shiko hopes to motivate and encourage young people to step out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to take risks.
Advising those interested in studying public relations and marketing; she said: “My advise would be, start exploring your interests now—read about marketing and PR, follow brands you admire, and pay attention to how they communicate. Don’t be afraid to try new things, whether it’s joining a school club, starting a blog, or creating content on social media. Build your skills in communication, creativity, and problem-solving, and don’t shy away from challenges. Most importantly, believe in yourself and your ability to grow. Your journey might not always be easy, but every step you take will bring you closer to your dreams. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help and learn from others along the way”.
Shiko is an inspiration and has practically demonstrated that hard work and determination pay off. Follow her on social media: @lydiatshepiso on Instagram and @tshepilee_xoxo on TikTok.
By Ntokozo Radebe
