Society Profile: ‘My fans keep me going’ - Anita Pendo

Anita Pendo owns the energetic and eloquent voice that hits the airwaves of 89.7 Contact Fm at 3:00 p.m. She co-presents the Route 66 Drive show with Spikey from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m on Monday’s through Friday. She has worked with several radio stations in Rwanda hence has a wide fan base. Meeting Anita off air is amazing. She always tells her listeners that she is the fattest lady in Rwanda and most of her fans believe so. “Oh my God most of my fans believe the joke. They should know I’m blessed to have thier support. The fans keep me going, I do my best not to disappoint them,” Anita says. She was born on Valentine’s Day February 14th, 1985 in Kampala, Uganda. She is the first child among six siblings born to Cyprian Mpabuka and Apofia Mukampabuka. She attended Gahini Primary School before joining Kagitumba High School for O’ level then later went to APECOM Kiramuruzi for her A’ level education. During her senior six vacation, she joined the Mashirika Theatre Group and performed at a two-week show in Manchester, United Kingdom. Anita has been a member of the group since 2006. She acts dances and is an extraordinary drummer. “After the trip I went to visit a friend at Radio Flash, while the Production Manager told me that I’m good at interacting. After a week I was trained and started co-presenting with Manzi during a Sunday show ‘Insanzure’ literary meaning ‘feel free’,” Anita said. She added that the first time on the airwaves she was nervous and could not concentrate because she thought everyone was listening. “During the first shows, I messed up the dates and time but later I gained confidence,” she says. In 2008, I moved to City Radio before joining Contact Fm in December 2010 where she co-presents with Spikey Shami. He says he is lucky to work with her. “Anita is professional and loves what she does; she is quite different from other people I have co-presented with. She is very confident in everything she does, thanks to her flexibility. “I have learnt a lot about Radio presenting from her and it has incredibly helped me,” Spikey said. Grace Kaitesi, one of Anita‘s faithful listeners says ‘Route 66 Drive’ is her favourite show because of the way Anita interacts with the audience. “Although we have never met on radio she seems to be someone very social. I’m waiting patiently for the day I will get to meet her in person,” Kaitesi says adding that, “the show is informative and very entertaining.” As a child, Anita’s dream was to become a movie star. “I’m partially living my dream although as a child I preferred appearing before cameras. Sometimes I emcee at different concerts and have improved in that field. “When I’m on stage, I feel relaxed and treasure each moment. I didn’t freak out the first time I emceed,” she disclosed. Although she not yet married, she described he dream man. “He is supposed to be down to earth, value himself, hardworking and above all loving,” Anita says. Her favorites Dish: - Banana Plantain and Beef Music: - African Music Artist: - Brandy Colour: - Pink Car: - Infinity Toyota Quotation: - ‘Every thing happens for a reason.’ Dorau20@yahoo.co.uk