“A journalistic force, who fully understands and considers the South African narrative.” Those are the words of Shahan Ramkissoon, an acclaimed former Senior News Anchor, when describing Michelle Craig.

She started broadcasting even before completing her degree in Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in Grahamstown (now Makhanda). She cut her teeth at the Cape Argus from 2004, as a rookie reporter during her semester breaks – relishing the thrill of seeing her name in the paper. But it was during the third year of her honours degree, when the time came to choose between print, radio and television, that she knew her future was in TV.

Now, with more than 16 years’ experience in broadcasting, Michelle is one of South Africa’s most credible and popular media personalities. Starting as a researcher at investigative programme ‘Carte Blanche’, it was under the guidance of Ruda Landman and Derek Watts, that Michelle learnt the art of what makes a compelling story. This training would equip her for the 11 years that followed, working in the field as a reporter at 24-hour news channel, eNCA.

Her work spans several of the country’s national and local government elections, dating back to the presidency of Thabo Mbeki. She’s covered the deaths of numerous struggle stalwarts, including Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Ahmed Kathrada and George Bizos.

Michelle has been at the forefront of some of the biggest moments in South Africa’s recent history and her experience as a journalist is one that tells South Africa’s story.

Until early 2020, she hosted some of eNCA’s busiest daytime shows, cementing her reputation as a key-contributor in setting the daily news agenda.

Today, Michelle hosts the prime time weekday breakfast show on Newzroom Afrika, a premier South African 24-hour news channel, broadcasting across the African continent.

It’s a position she took on just weeks before Covid-19 would change all our lives, so beyond the hard-hitting journalistic approach that she’s become known for, Michelle is also able to ‘read a room’ and adapt her style to be an advocate for her audience, no matter the theme, focus or industry.

She is empathetic, and takes a people-centred approach to every conversation she moderates, whether on television, or in-person.

She is a seasoned moderator who can roll with the punches, and thrives in a live environment.