Masego “Maps” Maponyane / 29 / TV Presenter / Actor / Social & Tech Entrepreneur
You’ve recently started a WhatsApp channel that goes by the name #ModernMaps, what’s it all about?
Modern Maps is a WhatsApp channel that essentially works as an app within WhatsApp. It fuses both artificial intelligence and a personal touch to ensure a closer connection with my followers and those interested in me, how my mind works, what makes me tick and my thoughts on mapping out the ideal tools to living a successful modern life.
Why a WhatsApp channel?
It’s more personal, it’s the most commonly used social media app on the continent. It requires far less data than any other app, and it enables more comfortable engagement with people. It’s also fairly uncharted waters and allows for a lot of growth potential.
How will subscribers benefit from #ModernMaps?
They can directly engage on categories that interest them, varying from Health, Fitness, Fashion, Wellness, Travel and general Lifestyle content created by me and get the inside track on what I think it takes to reach your potential and get the best out of your life.
What sets #ModernMaps apart?
It’s new, fresh, there’s none out there like it and it’s beneficial to your life. It has both audio and visual content in the form of video highlights and podcasts. Users can decide what they want to interact with and can have a more personal connection with what happens in my world.
How long did this idea take to execute?
Fairly quick actually, I work with a great team that was able to put it all together in a week, however the idea was always brewing from the way that the East was using the capabilities of text apps such as WeChat beyond just being text based.
How has the response and feedback been so far?
It’s been great! People have really enjoyed it and are constantly looking forward to receiving more in the future.
Sharing your daily life activities with so many people, does this ever have a negative effect?
Not in this case, because although I’m sharing more than ever before and making it a whole lot more personal, I’m still able to decide on what it is that I share, but it also allows me to be as honest as possible, as opposed to recreate the curated perfection of social media lives.
Has utilizing social media as a tool to inform your fans/followers about your growth, wins, losses and experiences made it easier to get the Maps brand out there?
It certainly has. It’s the people that support you that are the deciders of your success and to make them feel like they are a part of your journey can only be more beneficial than anything else.
What’s next, writing a book maybe? Do tell…
Haha! Oddly enough yeah, a book is on the cards, but it isn’t the kind of book that you would think! 😉 Other than that, I’m currently producing a film that’s being co-produced by Terry Pheto and directed by Akin Omotoso and is due for release mid 2020.
Follow Maps!
Instagram: @mmaponyane
Twitter: @MapsMaponyane
Facebook: @MapsMaponyane
–Bridgette Makhela
bkoolmedia 