Barron Hufkie is a man of many talents. We know him as one of South Africa’s most capable and well-known television personalities. But a lesser-known side to this eNCA news anchor is his passion for science.
Barron studied for a BSc degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology at Stellenbosch University. “I’ve always been interested in science,” he says. “l believe it is because of my curiosity. I always have questions about everything and why things are the way they are. Science plays a significant role in our everyday lives, and I am intrigued by the many different ways it does. It is something that we don’t always fully understand, but all of us rely on.”
Yet he was also able to express his other, more creative and gregarious side while busy with his studies. “During my time at SU, I also got involved in campus radio at MFM 92.6. I presented various shows at the station, including the Breakfast Show, and was nominated for two SA Radio Awards. I was also the news and sports editor.”
Barron, who originally hails from Somerset East (or KwaNojoli), attributes this side of his personality to his “very creative and talented family”. “My grandfather was such a great inspiration to me and is part of the reason why I’m in the media industry,” he says. “His passion for languages and literature is something that I admired, and it became a passion of mine too. My parents were also creative. I guess you can say it is in my DNA!”
He always knew that, at some point, he would have to choose between science and media. That time can in his final year at SU. “I got two job offers in the same week, one from a laboratory in Cape Town and the other from the Western Cape’s biggest radio station, Kfm 94.5. Of course, I chose the latter and the rest, as they say, is history.”
After three years at Kfm and then Eyewitness News (EWN), Barron’s dream to work in television broadcasting became a reality when eTV recruited him as a sports broadcaster for one of its new channels, eEXtra. A year later, he joined eNuus on kykNET as a news anchor, and made the move to eNCA soon thereafter.
He says what he enjoys most about his job at eNCA is “giving a voice to the voiceless and holding those in power accountable”. He adds: “l also get to interview many interesting South Africans who do amazing work to make this country a better place. Knowing that I’m part of something much bigger and that there is so much to experience in this world is what gets me up in the morning.”
Reflecting on his time at SU, Barron says: “Studying at Maties is about so much more than being a varsity student. It’s a way of life. There are so many things I loved and that stood out for me: watching a live Varsity Cup game and the University choir performing in the Endler, the different little coffee shops and restaurants, walking down Victoria Street, DCM’s huge muffins _ I don’t think many students realise how privileged they are to attend SU.
“I met so many different people at SU who helped me become the person I am today, and I am fortunate still to have many of those people in my life today.
“SU truly shapes you into a well-rounded, sophisticated and professional individual.”
