Drumroll, please! Our very own Brümilda Swartbooi, editor of this newsletter, has achieved Senpai status in karate! Since moving to the City of Gold from the Western Cape in 2019, Brümilda has truly embodied her adoptive city’s spirit, consistently pushing her limits and achieving remarkable things.
Brümilda’s dedication extended beyond the dojo. She quickly made a name for herself in the Johannesburg communication space, producing impactful stories and ensuring our newsletter consistently delivers engaging content.
A multi-talented perfectionist, Brümilda earned her black belt in karate weeks after completing her Honours degree in Marketing Management. Her journey in journalism started in community journalism before she did a stint at the George Herald, followed by a year at the Worcester Standard. After arriving in Joburg In 2019, she joined Media24’s biggest Afrikaans news platform, Netwerk24, where her byline also featured in daily newspapers like Volksblad, Die Burger and Beeld.
Within two years, she joined the City of Johannesburg as a Publications Officer. She boasts an impressive journalistic portfolio, including the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Award for Upcoming and Rising Star of the Year and the Journalist and Photographer of the Month award from the Worcester Standard in October 2018.
Brümilda has consistently exceeded expectations. Her recent achievements – both in the dojo and in her professional life – are testament to her unwavering determination and dedication.
She believes in living a balanced life. “Karate has had a big impact on my character, primarily through the five karate maxims, which are character, sincerity, effort, etiquette, and self-control. These principles are instilled in us from the beginning, and after every class, we recite them to remind ourselves of their importance.”
When she’s not pursuing mastery in the dojo – one punch, one kick, one bow at a time – she enjoys reading, savouring a glass of wine, and practicing Pilates. She also enjoys walks in the park and cherishes quality time with her family, who reside over 1 000km away.
Asked how she juggled roles as employee, karate student and Honours student, her response is a simple one. “I have a habit of writing things down when I feel overwhelmed. I write anything and everything down and paste it at a spot where I can track my progress. It helps. But with that said, when balancing these roles, I made it a priority to be fully present in whatever I was doing at the time. It helped me to manage my time efficiently.”
Written by Thomas Thale