The star of the 8 p.m. news November 3, 2026
In recent years, she has become the face of the 8 p.m. television news (Jt) of Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (Rts). Mariama Dramé, presenter of the 8 p.m. news, combines elegance and eloquence. Beyond her appearance, the young woman also stands out for her personality and what she exudes. His journey is inspiring for young people who today wish to embrace the profession of journalist.
There are faces that remain engraved in our memory from the first glance, people who become part of our daily lives without us realizing it. There are also personalities who captivate and inspire us. Presenter of the 8 p.m. television news (Jt) of Senegalese Radio and Television (Rts), Mariama Dramé is one of these people.
His style and personality leave no one indifferent. Beyond his professionalism, his eye-catching smile captivates viewers. In her workplace, the atmosphere around her suggests a person of great humility and generosity without half-measures. The journalist shines both on and off screen.
A route shaped by perseverance
This Thursday, October 7, at 3 p.m., she is already in the office to prepare her newspaper, scheduled for 8 p.m. The atmosphere is cozy. Mariama Dramé discusses with her colleagues, without distinction of status or professional hierarchy. Moreover, the interns really appreciate it.
“I am very lucky to have met Mariama Dramé. She is a person of incomparable generosity. I remember her as someone very rigorous. When she presents the newspaper, she is very focused. She gives her all to her work and what I like most are her transitions, she is very inspired and, for me, Mariama remains a model,” confides Penda Bouya Diop, journalism student at the Center for the Study of Information Sciences and Techniques (Cesti) and intern at Rts.
A feeling shared by Thiémokho Traoré, new intern. “Even before I came here, she was always my favorite. I almost never miss the Rts newspaper. Among the journalists that I appreciate for their professionalism and their way of presenting the newspaper, Mariama Dramé occupies a special place,” he maintains.
Born and raised in Dakar, the presenter of the RTS 8 p.m. news has Senegalese and French nationalities, and Ivorian and Malian origins. Since she was little, she has lived in several countries. Mariama comes from a family of eight girls, who grew up with an education based on strong values. These allowed them to understand that being a woman does not mean being satisfied with the bare minimum.
“Our father always motivated us to go further. At no point did he show us any frustration that we are all girls. I was inspired by my mother, a fighting woman, as well as by my sisters, whom I saw succeed,” she says.
A graduate of the École supérieure de journalism (Esj) in Paris, where she obtained two master’s degrees, the young woman took her first steps as an intern at Canal Info. Subsequently, she worked at Télé Sud, before joining Africa24, an African news channel based in France, where she first obtained a fixed-term contract (Cdd), then a permanent contract (Cdi).
“My career started at Africa24. All the African personalities passing through France could meet on our set. We could go from an interview with a head of state to that of a central bank governor, a minister, a great sportsman or a great artist… This means that, at a very young age, we become aware of the responsibilities entrusted to us and that we give everything to live up to it,” she explains.
When she was very little, Mariama Dramé was curious, passionate, full of life and ambitions. In class, she did not hesitate to speak up. Initially hesitant between journalism and being a flight attendant, she ended up making a choice that she does not regret today.
In November 2019, she moved to Rts as a journalist-presenter. She starts with the morning show “KenkélIba”, then takes charge of the 11 p.m. news, before presenting the 1 p.m. news in its new format, “1 p.m. from the regions”, in which she participated and which she presented for a year.
In journalism, the life of a professional is marked by intense moments. Sometimes these are interviews with leading figures, sometimes they are reports.
“Beyond major events or demonstrations, there are subjects that impact us when we present the newspaper. On our chair, it happens that a small tear tries to escape, but we maintain a professional attitude,” confides Mariama Dramé.
The woman behind the character
Journalism taught him to persevere and manage stress. When the spotlight goes out and she leaves the office, Mariama Dramé once again becomes a woman and a mother who places great importance on her home, her family and her friends. Reading, cooking, traveling and friendship occupy a significant place in his life. For her, “cooking is a proof of love”.
Asked about what we feel when we find ourselves face to face with a personality like the President of the Republic, particularly during a live interview, she replies: “You should definitely not try to be like someone else. You have to be yourself, rework your questions, listen to your interlocutor to be able to bounce back. At the end, we feel a lot of pride and pleasure. »
At Senegalese Radiotelevision, Mariama Dramé remains very popular with her colleagues.
“She is a generous person, very educated, serious in her work, complete and honest in her relationships. She doesn’t know how to cheat. Mariama is also very jovial and very kind to people. With her colleagues, she takes great care. We love her for the beautiful person she is and hope she moves forward,” says Ramata Dème, journalist at Rts.
For Moussa Mané, coordinator of major events and head of the department responsible for defense and security issues, “with Mariama, you just have to tell her what your reporting subject is about for her to suggest a very good hat, without even having attended the event. This is proof of his intellectual background.”
He also praises his great capacity for adaptation.
In the company, testimonies are unanimous when it comes to talking about Mariama Dramé.
“She is the pride of the Rts. She is an excellent journalist. She is very punctual and perfectly fulfills all the criteria linked to her status as journalist-presenter. We are delighted to have him among us and, as superiors, we can attest to his professionalism and his very high level,” says Ousmane Ngary Faye, coordinator of the television news.
After more than ten years in journalism, Mariama Dramé recently returned to school to prepare for an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in management, communication and digital marketing, with a specialization focused on artificial intelligence. In a perpetual quest for knowledge, the journalist wrote a professional thesis on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Senegalese media.
For her, “social networks and AI are an integral part of our daily lives and we cannot part with them”.
However, she insists on the need to respect ethics in their use. As for the future possibility of seeing robots presenting television news, it highlights the human warmth that viewers need.
By Irène MENDY (Intern)
