'Every job has a dress code' — Anele defends her tweet that news anchors 'must' stick to one hairstyle

Anele caught some backlash for her hair-raising tweet

07 July 2023 - 15:00 By TshisaLIVE
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Anele Mdoda's view on news readers' hairstyles has created a stir.
Anele Mdoda's view on news readers' hairstyles has created a stir.
Image: MASI LOSI

It looks like media personality Anele Mdoda opened a can of worms by saying news anchors need to maintain the same look, but she is willing to die on that hill.

In her initial tweet, Anele said she needed news readers to stop changing their hairstyles.

“Unpopular opinion. Newsreaders on TV really need to stick to a look. News is about consistency, familiarity and trust. Changing wigs every day shame ... Hayi it’s not making sure. In your own time wig it ghel but on the desk ... please,” she wrote.

Her views met with mixed reactions with some feeling she was “taking a jab at black women”.

Despite the naysayers, the 947 radio presenter elaborated on her stance, bringing the matter of professional dress code to the table. 

“Every job has a dress code. If yours does not. Well done. You are Mark Zuckerberg. Do you guys even know that in newsrooms they keep black jackets in case there is a major death. Can’t be mourning a person in yellow coat ke bo beyps. There is thought in everything hence people keep jobs for 30 years on the desk. If boring does not interest you ... news anchoring is not for you. Come be a DJ with us,” she wrote. 

Fans took to her comment section to say whether they agreed or disagreed. 

“A newsreader is not a lifestyle programme presenter, generally known as magazine programme. No heavy makeup, simple neck piece and earrings. But ke, professionalism flew out of the window and people just want to slay,” commented one fan.

“Just when I thought the job of news anchors is to read news and conduct interviews, meantime they have to mourn people. On top of that get stuck with same hairstyles for over 3 decades, Ayisembi,” added another. 

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