Bio
Sheetal Cross
“If you live your life with purpose, the true purpose of your life will come to you.” — Sheetal Schneider Cross, 2009
Born Sheetal Haripersad on 27 July 1983 in Durban, South Africa, Sheetal grew up with three siblings before later living in New Zealand and Namibia, and travelling widely for work. Her interest in media, writing and photography led her to a National Diploma in Journalism (2006) from the Durban University of Technology, which became a B-Tech Degree in 2012 from the same institute.
Since 2005, the Sunday Tribune has been her main platform as a freelancer, sharpening her skills in writing, sub-editing, research and reporting for Independent Newspapers, Durban. She has also presented on broadcast television since her early teens, including SABC’s Take 5 and corporate video work.
Career Timeline
2005
Joins the Sunday Tribune
Begins freelancing for the Sunday Tribune, her main platform ever since, reporting for Independent Newspapers, Durban.
2007
Training Facilitator, Namibia
Lives and works in Namibia as an assistant, then main, facilitator on a training team contracted to NAMDEB (Namibia/De Beers Diamond Mining), based in Oranjemund.
2008 – 2009
New Zealand
Works as a ghost writer, researcher and understudy to bestselling American author Dr. Jeannette Vos, whose title The Learning Revolution sold millions of copies.
2014 – 2015
TV Presenter, Trace Sports Stars International
Films TOPS for Trace Sports Stars International, airing in 72 countries (still repeated on DStv Channel 188), profiling athletes with the crew of Siyabonga Media.
2015
SAFREA Regional Chair & SPORTMatters Column
Becomes SAFREA Regional Chair for KZN in April, then in July begins writing the Sunday Tribune‘s SPORTMatters column, taking over from Tommy Ballantyne, who wrote the same column as SPORTFolio for 31 years.
2016
Sunday Tribune Herald & GSport Finalist
Begins contributing to the Sunday Tribune Herald‘s Let’s Talk column. Named a finalist in Women in Print Media at the GSport Awards, Johannesburg.
Today
Ongoing Work
Continues to contribute to publications locally and abroad, while completing her Master’s in Journalism at DUT.
Best Interviews
Her most memorable interviews to date include former Olympian turned businessman Ryk Neethling, former Olympian turned businesswoman Penny Heyns, former rugby legend turned businessman Mark Andrews, sports presenter Kass Naidoo, and Olympian Chad Le Clos.
Sunday Tribune SPORTMatters Column
Journalist — Sheetal Cross
To find out more, get in touch via the Contact page, or email info@sheetalcross.com.