Janet Jattu Mumgbay Zizer is a 23-year-old Sierra Leonean Broadcast journalist working for Star Television as a producer, reporter, and presenter. She also anchors news around Africa, Janet is the founder and director of Jansuccess network Sierra Leone, a non-profit organization geared towards empowering young women and girls especially single mothers who are struggling to take care of their children and family, Janet is the owner of Jansuccess Glamorous Essentials which is a fashion store for women. Aside from journalism, Janet is also a make-up artist and an entrepreneur.
Growing up with a single mother and two siblings was a challenge for Janet, her mother raised the three of them single handedly, Janet attended saints Joseph’s primary school, Howe street where she completed her primary education, she later moved to a government municipal secondary school where she completed her secondary and senior secondary education, upon completing her senior secondary school. Janet enrolled at Fourah bay college where she started with a certificate in population studies and social statistics, she is currently pursuing her degree In political science at the Fourah bay college university.
Speaking with Salone Messenger, Janet recounted how her mother and that of many women are struggling every day to care for their children, she was a victim of sad experience growing up single-handed by her mother and two siblings, she founded the Jansuccess network Sierra Leone, to empower women and girls especially single mothers who are struggling to take care of their children and family.
‘’Growing up was challenging especially with a single mother, As you know children born out of wedlock are most often shell out by the mainstream society and I’m a product of wedlock. Society has called me names and the fact that I didn’t have the adequate support to pursue my education I had to wait a while before I could enroll, daddy is never there, but the fact that my mother and myself didn’t allow society to define us is one of my best experience’’ she told Salone Messenger
In 2019, Janet started working at media one center radio, with the recommendation of her friend, Janet was allowed to start working at Star Television, with the support of Miss. Patricia Ganda, who found love in her, she took the responsibility to train her, she started as a radio presenter and was later moved to Television broadcaster after 2 years.
‘’Journalism has been my dream since childhood, I wish to be seen on the television, I have always watched myself in the mirror and say to myself and my friends that they will watch me on the TV and boost that this is Janet my friend and I’m grateful I am achieving that gradually, As a Goal-getter type of lady I believe that as human our limitations is ourselves if we don’t limit ourselves noboby will.’’
The newsroom can be a challenge, ranging from healthy or unhealthy competition to challenges of getting equipment, Janet recounted
‘’The newsroom is tense and nobody says it’s gonna be easy anyways but I’m sure it worth it, as a young journalist having the space to be seen is one difficulty thing, going out to have human interest stories is another challenge, you will have that ideas but how can you actualize them with little or no resources.’’
When asked about a story she would like to work on, she said
‘’I wish to do a documentary on striving single mothers in the country I don’t have equipment nor resources.’’
About her greatest inspiration, she said,
‘’My journalism at a local level is inspired by my incredible boss mama Patricia Ganda she is one of a kind, at the international level Is Christiane Amanpour at CNN she’s good at her field.’’
‘’2 years from now I will be done with my first degree, and want to further study abroad in law, after that, I want to ensure I will be rendering help to other upcoming organizations i believe my organization will have breakthrough records in the world. Lastly having my own media house because I love the camera ‘’
When asked about her final words to young people she said,
‘’Journalism is the best career I will advise anyone to work on, it exposes you to the real world, you will meet different kinds of people, and every day gives you new experiences, Just as the saying goes journalism can never be silent that is the greatest virtue and its greatest fault. Journalism is a selfless strive for humanity if you’re not passionate about it then it will be difficult to actualize it. Most importantly as a young journalist, you’ve to believe in yourself and your ideas.’’
