Norhan Hammad: “I Believe Individuality Is the Essence of Success… and What Earns a Media Professional a Place in People’s Hearts”
Cairo – Maii Abdo:
Within the historic halls of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate—where conversations overlap with the quiet hum of cameras and the shuffle of reporters’ notebooks—I met broadcaster Norhan Hammad, affectionately known to her audience as “Nawara of the Screen.” The name is more than a charming nickname; it is a lifelong story. Called “Nawara” since childhood, she grew into the title as her dreams expanded.
“You bring good fortune… you light up the screen,” people would tell her, and the name settled naturally into her professional identity, much like light settles on a camera lens.Although she graduated in Tourism Studies, media was always her true calling. “I’ve always loved television. As I grew older, I became passionate about listening, speaking, and sharing my perspective.
Media felt like the closest path to making my voice heard,” she recalls. What began as a simple aspiration soon evolved into a demanding journey.Nearly ten years ago, Norhan took her first professional steps. She began as a correspondent after an early experience at Radio 80 90, where she learned to master the spoken word before stepping in front of the camera.
She later worked with several television networks, including Al Mehwar Channel, Al Nahar TV, and Al Shams TV. Over six years of dedication, she came to understand that appearing on screen is not a sudden opportunity, but the culmination of continuous training, workshops, and disciplined effort. “It had to be one step at a time until I reached what I was striving for,” she says.
For Norhan, individuality is the decisive factor in a competitive field filled with ambitious talents. Amid countless aspiring presenters, only those with a distinctive presence stand out. That belief fueled her confidence when she applied for a presenter audition among 250 candidates—despite being ranked late in the lineup. While anxiety filled the moment, her determination did not waver.
A week later, she received the life-changing call that launched her into a new professional phase.This chapter marked not only professional growth but also personal transformation. During this period, she met fellow media professional Abdelrahman, who would later become her husband and one of her most steadfast supporters.
Working alongside him as a correspondent, she gained valuable field experience that strengthened both her skills and her confidence. As her visibility grew—particularly through her active presence on social media and her YouTube experience with “Look Look,” where she delivered news in her own distinctive tone—new presenting opportunities began to emerge.
Her breakthrough came with the launch of “Nafas Taweel” (“Long Breath”) on Al Shams TV three years ago, after producers noticed her digital presence and offered her a program. She suggested sharing the experience with Abdelrahman, and the show debuted with a social focus.
Following her marriage and the birth of her son, Taj El-Din—whom she describes as her greatest emotional support—she paused her career, determined to balance family life with her professional aspirations.Yet the three-year hiatus only strengthened her resolve. Upon returning, she met with the channel’s owner, Ms. Samira, and relaunched “Nafas Taweel” under the same title but with a renewed direction. This time, the program tackled crime and accident-related issues—not for sensational appeal, but to shed light and offer solutions.
“We are not attacking; we are solving,” she explains, underscoring her commitment to constructive dialogue rather than controversy.Among the cases that deeply affected her was that of a student who endured severe physical violence at school, resulting in broken ribs and multiple injuries, alongside threats of academic expulsion if his family refused to withdraw legal action. Hosting the mother and son in a particularly emotional episode left a lasting impression. When asked how she emotionally navigates such stories, she admits the challenge is real.
Still, she anchors herself in purpose: “I have to stay focused on what’s ahead… and I have to succeed.”Norhan cites Mona El Shazly as an inspiration for her warmth and relatability, and admires Amr Adib for his conversational approach that makes viewers feel at home. Between these two styles, she is determined to craft her own unique voice—one that blends empathy with courage, dialogue with meaningful solutions.“
I work hard, I continue developing myself, and I’m optimistic that 2026 will be the year I achieve my dream of hosting a major program on a leading channel that reaches a wider audience,” she says with composed confidence. Supported by her family, loyal friends, a husband who believed in her from the start, and a young son who motivates her daily, she moves forward with steady determination.
To aspiring media professionals, her advice is simple yet profound: the journey is long and demanding, but worth every step. “Be patient. Invest in yourself. Watch and learn.” Perhaps that is why she chose the name “Nafas Taweel”—because dreams, she believes, are realized not through haste, but through enduring perseverance.
