Mo Flava On Trending SA, Radio And Everything Else In Between

Moeti “Moflava” Tsiki / Radio & TV Personality / Club DJ

What do you think you bring to the new Trending SA presenter line-up?

My experience in media and broadcasting has exposed me to many different facets and I hope that will shine through. I can cover a range of topical discussions ranging from current affairs to entertainment. Naturally, my personality and wit is apparently another stand out factor, lol.

How does Trending SA stand out for you as a TV show?

I love talk-show formats. I enjoy TV shows that create content based on daily affairs and social commentary. Trending SA is an excellent platform and it allows us to touch on many different subjects and get a sense of public opinion on a number of matters.

You’ve been in the entertainment industry for a long while, what do you think still needs to change?

The entertainment industry needs to be regulated better so that talent is protected. Our industry still remains relatively unstable. Talent needs to get paid more, talent also needs to plan careers and manage finances better. I think corporates and media platforms need to collaborate more with personalities on their own concepts.

Radio is in your DNA, how is TV different for you?

On radio, people hear what you say. On TV, they hear and see what you’re saying. The visual aspects of how you communicate become important when you’re live on TV. I also think TV has a much bigger crew working on one show, unlike with radio.

            Your wish for this year is?

            To elevate my career to the next level, and get the vaccine! Lol.

        How does a typical day look for you?

My radio show on Metro FM, ‘The Morning Flava’ from 5-9AM. Then meetings, voice overs and brand campaigns that I’m working on. Next thing you know, it’s time for Trending SA!

            Anything you would change about your career journey so far?

I wouldn’t change anything, but I do feel procrastination has been my “achilles heel”. I’ve put off so many great ideas and opportunities and I feel I need to stop second guessing myself and take more risks.

            What can fans expect from you in 2021?

I hope to contribute to the growth of Trending SA and grow my radio show too. I’m also working on my own initiative called ‘Buy Local’, a YouTube show that promotes local brands. I’m also giving away bursaries to students who want to study, and I’ve been a part of a student debt initiative aimed at eradicating student debt.

What would you say is your ex-factor?

People say it’s my smile, my voice, my choice of cologne and sneakers and my witty sense of humour, lol.

Follow Mo Flava!

Instagram: @moflava

Twitter: @moflavadj

Facebook: @MoFlavaDJ

-Bridgette Makhela

Austin Malema On 10 Years In The Industy, RTC Studios And The Future Of Photography

Mpho Austin Malema / Entrepreneur, Photographer & Founder of RTC Studios and Pixel Kollective

You’re a well-known photographer in South Africa, how has the journey been so far?

I have been in the industry for just over 10 years as a photographer and the journey has been an interesting one with many ups and downs. It is not as easy as it seems. Right now people only see your glory years and want the same thing but they don’t know of the failures and trials you face before getting to a point where your work speaks for itself.

What is RTC Studios and what services are offered?

RTC stands for Ronewa Tshiamo Cai. We are a visual creative hub which currently offers photography and videography solutions.

What’s your opinion on the current young South African photographer’s career span? 

I think as a young photographer in South Africa your career can be short lived depending on how serious you take your craft and using it to build a career. The big thing is adapting to different forms of photography, as the industry in South Africa is not big enough for one to make a living by just one form of photography. Most times, you have to adapt to new skills to grow. Young photographers need to stay strong and sharp mentally, as failures and rejection can be taxing.

Explain your type of photography…

I shoot lifestyle photography.

How are you staying busy during this pandemic?

At the beginning of this pandemic I was taking part in challenges by other photographers and created one myself, I also started watching tutorials on other forms of photography I am interested in, I usually do this to keep my mind fresh and to develop my skill set. In the  past couple of  weeks, we had had some projects done which should be coming out soon.

Your proudest career moment? 

There are so many of these moments, one being making it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of 2019. I think I realized that photography was more than just photos, but the bigger picture being the business.

One word to describe your industry would be…

Trying.

How’s the future looking?

The future of the industry looks great as there are many opportunities for young people to come in and grow. The future belongs to those who go after it.

Inspire the kids with some closing words of wisdom…

As Confucius once wrote: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart”.

 

Follow Austin Malema! 

Instagram: @aust_malema

Twitter: @AustinMalema

Facebook: @AustMalema

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Thato Molamu On Shifting From The Screen To Business Ventures And More

Sehume Thato Molamu / 35 / CEO & Founder of Gateway Media, Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Marketing Brand Strategist, Film Director and Media Personality.

You’ve made a solid name for yourself, how has your journey been like?

Like most things in life, the journey has had its ups and downs. I was fortunate enough to have had a long and successful career in South Africa’s film, and television industry and too have been taught and mentored by some of the country’s best. I will always be grateful for the opportunities given to me and I look forward to the next phase of the journey.

Why the break from the screen to pursue business?

It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now.  I made the decision after seeing the rapid growth of Gateway Media, which has in a short period, really made waves in the industry. So I think its only right that I step away from acting for while to give it my full attention. Also, while I’ve loved my time in front of camera lens,  I believe I can have a greater impact behind the scenes.  There’s so much more I can offer the industry and the African continent, and stepping away for a while will give me the space and time needed to really make a difference.

What’s the sole purpose of Gateway Media?

Quite simply, our core purpose is to tell authentic African stories and to help grow and develop Africa’s future storytellers. Through our flagship township-based Film & Digital Academy (LiMA), we help our clients tell original stories that resonate with audiences and inspire brand confidence. We believe that the world is ready for authentic African stories, and we’re developing the content creators that can tell them.

What’s your take on digital content creation in South Africa?

As you well know, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is well upon us. Digital content creation is where the world has been heading to for the last decade or so, and unfortunately, we’re still playing catch up to some of our counterparts. That said, the potential that exists within South Africa is immense. We have the talent and local expertise to become global players if we really work together and build an industry that up skills and supports our youth. That’s what Gateway Media is all about, giving access to those that traditionally, would have been excluded from participating in the digital revolution.

The pandemic has shifted the focus heavily on content, what ideas have you been sharing for engagement?

We were privileged enough to have had already launched Conrad TV prior to the pandemic. Conrad TV is a conversational radio-television platform that intuitively exploits the best of both worlds by integrating radio and television into a simultaneous, single audio-visual offering. The platform is doing well, and we expect to see more uptake in the viewer and listenership numbers in the coming months. Additionally, we’re prioritizing the development of original content that can live on various platforms, such as online shows, documentaries and TV series’. We quite excited about the future, watch this space!

What is the Thato Molamu Foundation all about?

The Thato Molamu Foundation is a non-profit organisation that I founded in 2012, with the goal of having a measurable impact in the lives of under-resourced South Africans through healthcare, education and creative industries. The foundation aims to transform the mindsets of people by unlocking the hidden talents and potential of youth through film, animation, gaming, coding and art and entrepreneurship capacity building programs within creative industries.

You also head up Leaders in Motion Academy, in what ways is it a first of its own?

The Leaders in Motion Academy (LiMA) is one of South Africa’s first digital creative skills academies and production hubs based in the township of Eersterust in Tshwane. Our mission is to normalize access to digital creative (technical) and business skills for township-based creative entrepreneurs and to connect them to markets in Africa and beyond.

How has the balance between acting and business blended into your lifestyle?

Acting will always have a space in my heart and my years of acting in theatre, television and working on radio nurtured my love for storytelling. It also introduced the world to Thato Molamu, for which I will always be eternally grateful. With this business venture, I am pioneering a new wave of digital marketing and content creation, one in which African storytellers will have a seat at the table and a stake in the game.

Where can people follow all your business ventures?

We are available on our website at https://www.gatewaymediaza.com/about-us/, and people can connect with us on LinkedIn at Gateway Media ZA. For more work we do at LiMA, you can visit our website https://www.limacademy.co.za/ and our YouTube channel Lim Academy (don’t forget to subscribe).

Follow Thato Molamu!

Instagram: @thatomolamu

Twitter: @ThatoMolamu

Facebook: @ThMolamu

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Bongeziwe Mabandla On iimini, Preserving His Craft And 8 Years In The Industry

Bongeziwe Sipho Samkelwe Mabandla / 30 / Singer Songwriter

‘iimini’, what’s the meaning behind the album?

iimini means days. The album references different dates in the lifetime of a love relationship from the beginning to the end. With the title I wanted to acknowledge those memories and experiences. I documented a relationship at its crucial parts and marked the different moments of this. I wanted to show the good and bad parts of a relationship and what it really means to be in love.

You’ve been in the industry for about 8 years now, how important is consistency and originality to you?

I came into music very late. I was studying to be an actor when I fell in love with music. I look at the past 8 years as a huge learning curve for me. I have learnt so much about writing, composing music, live performing and the business side of music. I have wanted to show with each album that I am growing and changing.

What does your craft mean to you and how do you preserve it?

I have put a lot into being a musician. I have always wanted to be good at what I do. For me, I’m at artist first. I want to make art that evokes emotion and feelings. Creating moving art has been the biggest motivator for me, it comes before anything else.

Amongst other songs, ‘Zange’ made big waves, (it still is)…what inspired you to write it?

Zange was written about falling in love and how that feeling can make you feel like life is worth it. I wanted to capture the fuzzy feeling of how it feels to be in love. I wrote the words to the song at a time when I met someone and they completely changed my life.

Live performances or studio sessions?

I like both. I love how a song comes together in the studio- it’s so fascinating. I like live, but it can be unpredictable. The funny thing is when a live performance goes well, it’s the best feeling ever. I’m hoping to fall even more in love with performing live as I get better at it.

Favourite country to perform in and why?

South Africa is really important for me. I write music in Xhosa because of the pride I have about where I come from. I write music to inspire and empower my people and to stand for a culture and language that was at times disregarded by history.

Africa is bursting at the seams with musical talent, what drives you to keep going?

I love what I do. I respect creating work that takes time and effort. I love figuring and working out difficult things. The people that love my music are such an inspiration and a sense of encouragement to me to keep me going even when it gets difficult. I think I’m doing something from a real and honest place and I think people are looking for that kind of music that connects them with their inner world.

What would you love to be remembered for?

My kindness and compassion, and for songs that made people feel connected.

Any upcoming exciting news you’d like to share?

I’ve been really happy that iimini has come with so many visual aspects. There are still a few more visuals to share which I am really excited about.

Follow Bongeziwe Mabandla!

Instagram: @bongeziwemabandla

Twitter: @Bongeziwe

Facebook: @BongeziweMabandlaOfficial

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Masego Maponyane On Modern Maps And The Power Of Social Media

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

DJ Kinetic On Music And His Career Path

Thabo Damari aka Kinetic / 25 / House DJ & Producer / OB Engineer at YFM 99.2 & MD of Pro Tech Events & Entertainment

Why the DJ route?

As cliché as it may sound, I never chose “it” but “it” chose me. From as early as 7 years I had already started collecting music on tapes. I was 9 years old when I first saw a DJ mixing on turn tables, I can still remember how fascinated I was. I knew then where my path would lead, and I have never looked back.

Motivation…What does it mean to you?

It means never looking to others for validation, but rather remembering why you started in the first place and never losing sight of YOUR goal.

What does music mean to your craft?

Music is my craft, so with that being said I can only explain it as…Without music the word craft is meaningless to me. Music features in every aspect of my life, from the work I do as a Sound Engineer, to the business I run.

That one moment you always dream of reaching?

Being able to make timeless music that will one day be looked upon by future generations as revolutionary.

How do you prepare for a gig you’re meant to play at?

It always starts with the music. I prepare my sets depending on the kind of event, venue and crowd. I then prepare my outfit because I will be presenting myself to people, and people always need to have a visual reference (put a face to the name so to speak) and I want that reference to be a good one. Lastly, I have a home cooked meal (whenever possible) before I leave the house.

Money or love?

I get money doing what I love. Does that answer your question?

Are you happy with where you are in your life right now?

I cannot say I am happy, but I can say I am content. I still have lots to achieve and as long as GOD keeps me on this earth I will soldier on.

That one song that is timeless to your ears?

It has to be Planet Noir – Children Of The Ghetto from the Mekonko compilation mixed by the legend Khabzela in the year 2000.

What do you think of the industry you work in?

I never have a clear answer to this question because I become too subjective. My answer is always influenced by personal experiences which in most cases have not been to my liking. I do however try my best to shy away from all the negativity and focus my energy on building myself and those around me. This industry is what you make of it and I choose to run my own race despite the many challenges.

Follow Kinetic!

Instagram: Kinetic_SA

Twitter: @kinetic_err

Facebook: KineticSA

Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/kineticsa

 

–Bridgette Makhela