Mpho “Popps” Modikoane On Black In My Day Tour And Upcoming Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards

Mpho “Popps” Modikoane / 32 / Stand Up Comedian

Comedy: How did you start your journey?

As a kid, there was a day my grandfather made fun of me in front of the whole family, everyone was laughing and I couldn’t even get a word in. I ran to hide in a closet  because I couldn’t take the embarrassment and I vowed that would never happen again. So it basically started from a place of trauma.

You’ve made a name for yourself in the Comedy industry, was this always the life plan?

It wasn’t always the plan – I wanted to be a lawyer, a pilot, a business man, a swimsuit model.

Material: Where do you draw your ideas to joke about on stage from?

I draw all my ideas from my everyday life. My belief is that my talent and skill is not a show I put on but an embodiment of my true self. This is who I am, all day, every day. My goal is to spread laughs and bring joy to audiences around the world.

Laughter or Love? Pick one…

That’s like choosing between your brother and your sister – laughter and love go hand in hand , you can’t have one without the other.

Tell us about your ‘Black In My Day’ national tour and what attendees can expect?

#BlackInMyDay is a nostalgic trip down memory lane of how I grew up and all the experiences that have brought me to the point I’m at today. It is a play on what life was like back in the day as a black man and navigating those challenges. It is reflective on life in the hood, and drawing a comparison to flourishing in the suburbs. So people can expect an evening of laughs and some great entertainment.

The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards are coming up and you’re a nominee, anticipating a win?

Whether I win or lose doesn’t really matter to me, there is no way of really measuring comedy because how do you determine who got the most laughs or who had the best joke of 2019?

What do you love most about your job?

The fact that I get to make people laugh for a living, unlike a dentist, people actually look forward to coming to my place of work.

Any exciting plans for the rest of 2019?

Touring the country for my #BlackInMyDay tour, it doesn’t get more exciting than that for me.

One crazy/cool thing that people don’t know about you?

I can spin a Gusheshe.

 

Follow Mpho Popps!

Instagram: @mphopopps 

Twitter: @MphoPopps

Facebook: @mpho.popps.fanpage

 

–Bridgette Makhela

Khutso Theledi On Her Career, Spinning Cars And Giving Back To The Community

Khusto Zanele Theledi / 25 / Radio Personality, Corporate MC, Motorsport Enthusiast, Female Car Spinner, TV Presenter & Voice Over Artist

How did you find your way into the media/entertainment industry?

I was poached by YFM’s former programming manager Tumelo Diaho-Monaheng and former YFM DJ Mo Flava from Boston Media House, Sandton.

You hold the titles Radio Personality, Voice-Over Artist, MC, Brand Ambassador and Motorcar Enthusiast, when do you ever get some alone time?

Every week. I make sure I make time not only for myself, but for God, family, my partner and friends no matter what. I will never compromise that, I would drop everything for what comes first in my life.

Your partnership with Boston Media House, what’s that all about?

I studied at Boston Media House in 2011 (Media Practices) and majored in Radio. I then became a Boston Media House voice over artist, all thanks to my principal at the time, Ruan Venter and Radio lecturer, Karl Kikillus “Mr K”, who believed not only in my voice, but also in the passion I had for radio. Ever since then, Boston Media House has been a part of my journey and a true blessing, opening up opportunities for me in radio and more. Since 2016/17 I’ve partnered with Boston Media House to bless five people each year with bursaries over R500 000.00

Giving back to the community, what does this mean to you?

Giving back to the community always reminds me that no matter how tough my life is (and it’s been very tough), there’s always someone who’s facing challenges that are even tougher than mine. It takes nothing away from me to give back and I expect nothing in return for it. If God can bless me, nothing will stop me from blessing others, it gives me so much joy and this is just the beginning.

Where does your love for cars come from?

It comes from growing up in Mpumalanga with a family that loves cars. My dad drove a BMW 325is Coupé “Gusheshe’” that was red in colour. I remember being driven to school in it everyday with my cousins. I still remember everything about that car and until this day, I’m in love with the Gusheshe. One person I need to thank for bringing back that memory back to life is Pule from Soweto Drift Academy, who I met in 2013/14 and learnt how to spin Gusheshes from.

You’ve also partnered with Cars.co.za, what’s the scoop there?

The work that you’ve seen with Cars.co.za and myself is just the beginning of many more great things to come. It was an honour to have been part of the annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards 2017 as a female judge to establish the most prestigious, credible and influential Awards programme in the South African motoring industry. The scoop is that there’s more to come from Khutso Theledi and Cars.co.za

Are you proud of your accomplishments so far?

I believe my biggest accomplishments are the ones no one ever sees, the ones that aren’t so out there, and obvious to anyone else, the ones that have been personal and close to my heart.

Your most treasured moment in your career so far?

During my show on YFM Saturday and Sunday 12-3PM #ChargedUp, I have a segment called #RevdUp where the listener gets to talk to me and tell me more about their cars. It’s not a platform to brag about your car, it’s a platform for the listener to share their treasured car story, how hard they had to work to drive the car they are driving, etc. I had the privilege of talking to Nomzamo Mbatha about her car. She said live on radio: “Khutso, I think you are one of the most under celebrated people amongst us in this industry, and I really just want to commend you for your work and everything that you do, you have your own race at your own pace and I respect that about you.” Those words from such a phenomenal young black woman, doing great things not only in the industry, but for many who are inspired by her and the hard work she’s put in, has been the most treasured moment for me in my career so far.

How do you plan on making the rest of 2017 as an amazing year?

All I’m going to say is “2017 is 20Theledi”

Follow Khutso!

Instagram: @khutsotheledi

Twitter: @KhutsoTheledi

Facebook: Khutso Theledi

–Bridgette Makhela