---
title: "20 questions Annemieke Thomaidis"
description: "Fresh out of Stellenbosch University and already chasing stories on and off the field, junior sports journalist Annemieke Thomaidis is fuelled by good coffee and a love of sport. We asked her 20 questions so you can get to know the person behind the byline."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "20 Questions"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-05-20-questions-annemieke-thomaidis/"
published: "2026-08-05T15:52:22"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 472
---

# 20 questions Annemieke Thomaidis

> Fresh out of Stellenbosch University and already chasing stories on and off the field, junior sports journalist Annemieke Thomaidis is fuelled by good coffee and a love of sport. We asked her 20 questions so you can get to know the person behind the byline.

By Daily Maverick · Published 5 August 2026, 17:52 SAST

## Key points
- Junior sports journalist Annemieke Thomaidis answers 20 questions for Maverick Insiders.

## Content

**Favourite book. Of all time and recently?**

Of all time: The Book Thief. I’ve read it several times. Recently I read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. It is witty and charming and the twist is completely unexpected and heartbreaking.

**Favourite film?**

Mamma Mia is by far my favourite of all time.

**Favourite series. Of all time and recently?**

I always find myself going back to Friends. And I don’t know if it counts, but I loved Chasing the Sun.

**What is the most random thing you’ve ordered online?**

I bought a mini dictionary on Checkers Sixty60.

**What is the last thing on your phone that you took a screenshot of?**

I took a screenshot of a list of South Africa’s medal winners at the 2026 Commonwealth Games at the time.

**What app do you spend the most time on?**

TikTok (hands covering eyes emoji).

**What’s your favourite piece of trivia?**

Hyenas are often stereotyped as scavengers when, in fact, the most well-known species, the spotted hyena, hunts for its food 60% to 90% of the time.

**What’s the weirdest superstition you secretly believe in?**

It’s not weird but I really believe knocking on wood prevents tempting fate.

**If you could relive one specific experience, what would it be?**

Seeing the northern lights for the first time.

**Window seat or aisle seat?**

Aisle seat. I need easy access to the bathroom.

**If you could live as someone else for the day, who would it be and why?**

I would actually love to live as a dog for a day. Endless scratches and naps whenever I please.

**Career highlight?**

This was during my internship with Daily Maverick, but going to the Cape Town Sevens and experiencing first-hand how a major sporting event is covered behind the scenes. I also met Siya Kolisi.

**What are people always surprised to learn about you?**

My age.

**You’ve just been arrested. What crime were you likely to have committed?**

Snoozing my alarm way too many times.

**If you weren’t working in your current role, what industry would you be in?**

The sporting industry, maybe as a travelling physio or biokineticist.

**What is the most-worn item in your wardrobe?**

I have these black cargo pants that I wear with everything. Sadly, I couldn’t get a duplicate. So I will be very sad when I have to retire them.

**What’s the best advice you’ve received?**

Don’t practise until you get it right, practise until you can’t get it wrong.

**Name one person you admire?**

My mother. She raised three girls alone and gave me every opportunity to get me where I am today.

**What’s your current guilty pleasure?**

Rewatching The Summer I Turned Pretty.

**If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?**

Bali. I travelled there in 2023 and it was the most amazing trip.