Mapula Nkosi has just been appointed as True Love’s deputy editor. Nkosi brings with her a bevy of news, political and lifestyle media experience having worked extensively across these beats. Meriza La Key sat her down for a chat.

1. What are your personal goals for the next five years?

To reach all my study goals in the next four years. I am currently enrolled for an honours journalism programme at Wits and realised I wasted so many years putting this brain to pasture, I'd like to get to a point where I can register for fun and study African literature and creative writing because I truly worship the power of the word. For the immediate future I am definitely hoping to be part of the catalyst team that is taking True Love's readership past the 100 000 circulation mark and its continued circulation growth. Things are really looking up since Dorah Sitole took over the editorial reigns and the readers have responded very positively to our newly improved content.

2. How do you balance between work and family?

Weekdays are tricky, but weekends are truly family time since I moved from current affairs to magazine reporting. I also have special mommy days with my eight-year old son every week, we have one special programme we watch together on TV every week and are The Amazing Race number-one die-hard fans. I also entice him to read newspapers on Sundays by giving him the cartoon sections to free me to read my bits.

3. What will people be surprised to know about you?

I am not shy to dance on any dance floor. I do not care about jiving the latest style on the dance floor, I just love to dance.

4. What do you do to relax?

Mostly reading, there is always a stack of books and newspaper articles marked for reading on my bedside. I watch inane reality TV programmes to escape the ugliness of humankind and everyday frustrations. I know it's a load of brain pollution but I enjoy it anyway.

5. What kinds of challenges have you faced being a woman in a senior role and how did you overcome them?

Everyday challenges in the past have included colleagues who undermine your authority and making you assert your authority at all times, which is sometimes interpreted as being banal and too strict when you stand your ground. Often times being totally unappreciated and having to be super good to be recognised. I try to overcome obstacles by being firm and human at all times and not disappointing myself.

6. You are going from a hard-core investigative journalism to a less 'cut-throat' monthly woman's subscription, would you see it as a step back in your career?

I have not done investigative journalism for a very long time, years even. I recently edited an Arts and Culture magazine and prior to that I edited lifestyle before going back to general current affairs, so there are not many differences I have encountered coming into True Love. The tenets of journalism remain the same, the idea is to tell the best story in the best possible way. In the magazine industry you are also more aware about the marketing of your content and more involved in that than in a newsroom, and I consider that as an opportunity to hone new skills.

7. The magazine business in general is woman-dominated; do you offer any opportunities for male writers?

Yes, we have always had the male perspective as part of our editorial mix. After all, women are concerned about understanding all aspects of their lives, and that can include their men, brothers and sons. Either through our content, or giving male columnists platform to articulate their opinions, we have always included a male perspective in the editorial mix.

8. Do you offer any activities to introduce the youth to the magazine world?

Yes, we take in interns through consultation with our internal HR and labour relations structures. We recently had one this year that enabled a grade 11 learner to spend a week in the True Love newsroom.

9. What is the best advice you have ever received?

To never stop being curious and to treat people as I'd like to be treated. But lately I am sold on the work-smart-rather-than-hard advise.

10. What do you consider the finest moment of your journalism career thus far?

It is more the great people I have met and the lifelong friendships I formed through out my career. I met great mentors through this craft like celebrated poet Don Mattera, renowned Drum and former City Press photographer Mike Mzileni and news editor, Len Kalane, all of whom still believe in me today and I can still pick up the phone and pick their brains when I want. And of course having worked with current industry heavyweights like Mathatha Tsedu, Khathu Mamaila and Lizeka Mda teaches you so much not only about content management, but managing people as well. It's basically the whole contradictory experience of having the opportunity to interview presidents, celebrities and beggars that makes this career a good addiction to have.