The Mpho Maboi Interview

December 1, 2009 by Brown Shuga

Not just a YFM DJ anymore, Mpho Maboi’s had an amazing 2009
and being disturbed that no one else is making a huge deal of this huge deal, I set out to hook up with this Benoni born tomboy-turned-beauty to get to know her better. I’m sure there are lots of people who watch her on TV and wonder where she’s from, so you non-Jozi folk out there, le ska wara I got ya!

My first interaction with Mpho was through Facebook and it was BAD!!! LOL I wonder if she remembers. I used to be a huge fan of Thoughtleader.co.za so that’s where I came across Mpho’s writings. Yes people, she writes too.

So anyway, came across her name on Facebook so I send her a friend request and I write “Huge fan’. Tjo! She replies with something like “Huge fan? You? The same person who said “I only stand Mpho’s show for the music but when she talks I change the station.”??

LOL tjo, my heart starts beating fast coz I really don’t remember ever saying such a thing but knowing how “loose” I was on TVSA, I decide not to deny it coz it’s possible I said it so I quickly reply with a “I meant a fan of your writing, not radio”

hehehe she didn’t reply to that so I go on TVSA to search for any mentions of Mpho it turns out that I actually really said that about her on a 2007 TVSA Blogs. But in my defence, Mpho you sound much better now on radio than you did back in 2007! LOL.

Anyway, we’ve since forgotten all of that, or maybe not coz even though I interact with her on a regular basis, I’ve only ever met Mpho Maboi once. Mmmh….ke tletse tshele!

She’s a YFM DJ, Supersport Anchor, Singer/Songwriter, South African National Blood Service Ambassador, Just Curious presents: The Mpho Maboi Interview!

Brown Shuga: You have come a long way from your days as the girl who joined DJ Fresh & Thato on Unrestricted Breakfast show. You took over the traffic reports from Anisa and I was like why her coz I also want that job!! LOL. How did you end up on the show?

Mpho Maboi: I met Fresh while doing a voice over and I won the office challenge later on, we got chatting about radio and was asked to sit in for Anisa when she went on study leave. This was for a week every month. When Anisa eventually left the show I was asked to come on board full time and the rest is geography!

BS: What office challenge manje??
Mpho: The office challenge was a quiz for office ppl. You call in, answer questions and the winner gets lunch with Fresh and Thato

fresh BS: Oh nice. You had a job at IBM at the time, how did you manage doing the show and your 9-5 at the same time?
Mpho: It was rather simple. Being in sales meant that I could schedule my meetings for after 9. but also I had a great manager who understood that I had a passion and never gave me grief coz radio never affected my job.

BS: And you were famous for giving us wrong traffic updates too lol! O no di nka kae?
Mpho: Guy, all the info I had received from the traffic dept, pity the info came thru me. One can’t make up traffic info, even if they tried.

BS: What was it like working with Thato and Fresh on what, to me was, the BEST breakfast shows ever produced in this country?
Mpho: It was like working with Sipho who sits next to you in the office. (Seriously) To be honest I never know how to answer this question coz to me they were not Fresh and Thato. They became my boys and I’m still in touch with both of them. So it was just hanging with my buddies.

BS: Nah come on, I don’t buy that! You weren’t a fan of the show before you started? There must have been some sort of excitement when you joined at least?
Mpho: I’m a bit strange in that I’m as yet to have a groupy moment with anyone. Yes I was a HUGE fan of the show but I never felt wow about being part of the show coz to me they were boys by the time we got to seriously work together. I loved being part of the show

BS: What is the one thing you will never forget about that experience?
Mpho: Everything! No two days were ever the same and it was the perfect start to my day. I loved every single moment of it. We hung out a lot and I gained a valuable friend in DJ Fresh because of it

BS: I remember you did movie reviews too and I used to enjoy them. District 9, What did you think of it? I thought it was a lot of nonsense.
Mpho: I felt it had some good and bad moments. It was full of generalisations and stereotyping. Good story line had it not been riddled with these bad elements. Which is a pity.

BS: You did a lot of things since Unrestricted, you did graveyard, weekend shows, Soweto TV, you sang and you now got your weekday show, Menage Trois from 10:00 – 12:00 on YFM. What the hell is Menage Trois & why that name?
Mpho: Wow, that sounds like a lot, but not yet. LOL. Menage a Trois is a French word for household of 3. The words have come to be synonymous with a threesome. Yes the sexual kind! But for us, the threesome is between YOU, ME and the MUSIC. Or ME, YOU and YFM

BS: Heheh I like it! How would you define the show to someone who has never tuned in?
Mpho: It’s a fun, carefree show, where we aim to entertain via quirky stories and lots of music and thought provoking questions.

BS: Part of what makes it interesting as well, is that you’ve interviewed a lot of people on the show. Which interview would you say was your best? Why?
Mpho: Wow, I’ve had so many to count. I loved interviewing TKZee, wow, what a group. DJ Fresh, he’s fun and intelligent. Oskido and Wayne Williams (R. Kelly’s DJ) was VERY humbling. Thomas Msengana was very thought provoking. Winnie Khumalo and Eugene Khoza were MAD funny. Tshepo Maseko, Prokid, Black Coffee, Bucie, Shana, Bantu Soul, Tira, Big Nuzz, Tzozo and Professor, Spikiri.

Like I said, too many. I do 8 interviews a month and it gets a bit hard to remember them after a while

BS: Jah noh, that’s a lot! And the worst?
Mpho: I can’t answer this, sorry. He knows who he is

BS: Hayibo, who was it???
Mpho: It was a musician who gave 1 word answers and chatting to them was drawing water from a stone.

BS: LOL so if you were to give brief advice to a new DJ on “What not to do when interviewing someone on radio”. What would your advise be?
Mpho: Don’t try catching your interviewees out. Make people feel comfortable. Most often than not, you are the one who asked for the interview, so don’t be mean. That’s what Shwashwi is for.

BS: Speaking of Shwashwi, Shim’s been on your case lately… do you get offended when they write crap about you?

Mpho: Nah. They gotta do what they do and I do what I do. They media needs us and we need them, no matter how mean they can be.

BS: I love that answer! So who, in your opinion, is the best radio DJ in South Africa & why?
Mpho: I’m gonna be biased. I still LOVE and respect DJ Fresh. He makes you feel like you are eavesdropping on a conversation and he’s got great people skills.

BS: Yeah, I agree with you. Am also enjoying him on 5FM. So besides YFM, what other radio shows/stations do you listen to?
Mpho: Fresh Drive. My House with Euphonik on 5FM. Rude awakanening with Jeremy Mansfield and Pabi Moloi’s show on Highveld. Home with Thabiso Sikwane on Kaya. The Avenue with Glen on Metro. I love listening to radio. I listen for the links, not much for the music. I’m a serial channel hopper.

lady3

TELEVISION

BS: One of my WOW moments of 2009, was finding out that you had sort of dethroned Carol Manana from her title “South Africa’s Only female soccer anchor” (according to her Twitter Bio @SimplyCarol8)! You are now a Supersport Anchor! Congratulations mama!

Mpho: Thank you kindly

BS: How did you land that one? This is a huge achievement!

Mpho: Bridget Masinga told me SuperSport was looking for women, I made a call. Was called in to chat to the Executive Producer. And the rest is geography

BS: What I fail to understand is why this is NOT a big deal in the media. Am I the only one who thinks it’s a big deal or have I not been reading much?

Mpho: I do think you are the only one who cares… LOL.

BS: My politics aside, what is it that you do on Supersport?

Mpho: I anchor a show called The NFD Show alongside William Shongwe (Goal Keeper Coach of SSU). We concentrate on the National First Division. We show highlights on matches played and we also give more info on news making headlines in the division

BS: About the NFD show, do you even have an interest in the first division? I would be bored to death!

Mpho: At first I didn’t know anything about it. But as any football lover will tell you, the love of football is always the 1st step, I’ve now become quite a fan of the division. Pity the matches do not get televised as yet.

BS: Hayi, no one would watch anyway heheh. Do you get to work or hang out with aboThomas Mlambo or Robert?

Mpho: I’ve worked with Thomas Mlambo, TT, and Phumlani Msibi before. Funny I’m yet to work with Robert. Because I do NFD, I don’t cross paths wth them as much work wise, but otherwise we are all family. So drinks and such do take place when time and schedules permit.

BS: Next time you see Thomas, please tell him I said he should cut down on the “And-uh”. Will you? Heheh.

Mpho: You are silly

FOOTBALL

BS: So ke Ms soccer expert, please add your voice to the continous Bafana Bafana debate. What do you think of our road to the 2010 WC & Parreira’s return?

Mpho: Ok, you just had to go there. Our road to the world cup has been a long and painful one. Thank goodness for us hosting it because at the rate we’ve been playing we would not have qualified since we failed to even qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. The team has a LONG way to go. We need a play maker, a classic player who can read the situation and captain the team to change strategy if need be.

On Parreira, eish, I would have so much rather appreciated having a LOCAL coach take us to the world cup. There’s plenty local talent locally. The likes of Gordon Igesund and Gavin Hunt, but I guess Parreira must finish what he started.

BS: Do you think we need Benni in the WC squad?

Mpho: No. I find Bennie arrogant, with no respect for the country. He seems to only be willing to come back onto the squad now coz he wants to move from Blackburn and the only way to do that is to get play time which he hasn’t been getting from BB. Football is a team effort not an individual sport, but I wish him luck.

BS: Without knowing which teams we’re gonna battle with in the first round, how far do you think we’ll go?

Mpho: I would honestly love for us to make it to the 2nd round atleast but our current track record is making me highly doubtful

BS: Who’s gonna win the English Premiership this season? PSL?

Mpho: EPL – wish I could say Man U but Chelsea has been bringing the fire lately. They are solid.
PSL – I say SSU is gonna take it or a 3rd time. Solid team that plays textbook football. They know how to stay in formation and communicate very well
NFD Coastal - Bay United. Another solid team that I see making its way back to the PSL.
NFD Inland – its between Vasco Da Gama and Blacks Leopards. Both teams have been consistent in how they play

BS: I’d love to ask you more football questions so before sikhinya abantu, let’s talk about music. As a DJ you get to listen to music even before we hear it. I’d like your opinion on Chomee’s tribute to the Divas?
Mpho: Eish. You’ve put me in a corner here. As someone who absolutely adored Lebo, I find what 999 has done to be an insult. I love Chomee but I feel that people who can’t sing should not do tributes to DIVAS. She should stick to dancing and leave the tributes to those who can do them justice

BS: If there HAD to be a South African artist to do that, who would be a close choice?
Mpho: I’m gonna be boring and say there can only be one Brenda and 1 Lebo. Let’s leave their legacies alone for now

BS: Having heard the TKZee of the 90”s Kabelo’s old hits like abo Zonke etc, what do you think of Sdudla?
Mpho: I did not warm up to Sdudla purely because there’s much hotter songs on the TKZee album. I’m glad they are back in the game. Kwaito needed some rescuing

BS: So you think the standard of Kwaito that’s on the new TKZee album is much “hotter” & better than what is on Kabelo’s Rebel with a cause/Beat Goes On? (I’m just curious)
Mpho: Not at all. Kabelo is after all part of TKZee and kept that consistency and vibe going but he hasn’t released for a bit and TKZee is a bit of a kwaito breath of fresh air.

RUMOUR CONTROL

BS: During your time as the traffic gal, the story about you being a double adapter made the tabloids. Where did they get that from?
Mpho: People can think what they want. I’m tired of having to explain myself. I am whatever you want me to be

BS: Mpho Maboi weh! Just Curious has never asked you this question before and there are people out there who love you and have never heard/read your response to this. Where did this come from?
Mpho: Ask the journo who 1st wrote about it.

BS: Are you an Amber Rose?
Mpho: Oh hell no. that woman has no class

BS: Nah, I think she looks hot man!
Mpho: Good for her

BS: How do you feel about the fact that even today, there are still questions about your sexuality? I think your tomboyish look of the past also contributed. (I love the transformed ladylike Mpho, by the way)
Mpho: Like I said, I am what you want me to be and thank you on the compliment.

BS: if you don’t’ answer me I take it back lol
Mpho: That’s also fine but I’ll never answer that Q my love

BS: (Hayi, i now see ukuba I must give up on this one) So you and DJ Zinhle are just friends and you have a man, the one you always gush about on Twitter! I don’t know him but tell him I love him for loving you like that!
Mpho: Yeah, I have a man I love very much. Zinhle knows him and loves him and that’s all I’m gonna say on that. Hee heeBS: You have done quite a variety of things and I’m sure there’s a lot more to come. What is the one thing that you are absolutely dying to do? Besides releasing an album? Hehehe
Mpho: I’m dying to be on Top Billing and to have a talk show. Youth orientated.

BS: Top billing coz of the travelling or you like those way-outta-my-budget things they show us?
Mpho: I have somewhat of a love for the finer things in life. So Top Billing would be awesome

THE MPHO MABOI AWARDS:

BS: If you had to hand out these awards, who/what would you give them to?

PSL Player of the Year 2009/10?:
Reneilwe Letsholonyane

SAMA Best Newcomer 2009?:
Khuli Chana

Best Headline of 2009?:
Any headline by Daily Sun always makes me laugh

Best Movie Release of 2009?:
Inglorious Basterds

It Should’t Have Happened Award?:
Julius Malema and his rape comment

Sit Your Ass Down Award (Local award):
Can’t think of anyone here (Arrgg)

Tjo! Moment of The Year?:
Lupi taking his pants off at the Feather Awards, Love him!

That was Mpho Maboi, you may not know EVERYTHING about her because she prefers to stay in the background but we did our best! JC wishes Ms Maboi all the best for her future! & We hope it includes grandkids for us!

Comments

30 Comments on "The Mpho Maboi Interview"

Mandla on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 12:31 am

That was a great interview you had with Ms Maboi there. I love the way she answers the Qs! I believe she is one great indivitual ‘n thank you ‘JUSTCURIOUS’ 4 the interview!

PS on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 2:47 am

hahaha the “TVSA Blog” link killed me, hahahahaha huuwie, the backstage part Lol….the elbow haha……Thanks great interview with Ms Mpho,i didn’t know who she was, now i do.

Madala on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 4:20 am

LOLLEST @ yo intro & background into chomi-ship….kwa kwa kwa!
Now, both Mpho @ Mr Just Scandaloulous of JC are both “whatever you want me to be”… nc nc nc

Lela on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 4:28 am

Why grandkids i sense another Touch upclose n personal.

Lela on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 4:50 am

Lol @ ur extra story hay umtu usuka kude il neva stop loling @ ds 1 n wl share it wt every1 who cares 2 listen hay d juice part killed me.

GA on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 7:19 am

I didnt know Mpho untill my silly decision to join Twitter even then i was like who is Mpho. BUT from the interview Ms Maboi,i have lots of respect for ya.
MOVERS ND SHAKERS…GO SISTAS….this year has been full of inspirationSSS!

Talkin about them movers nd shakers and thoughtleader…BS…can u interview Khaya Dlanga next…pretty plzzzz….:-)

And yes i was starting to khinyega especialy when u asked about the english league…but in your credit ladies…u r inspiring more to warm up to soccer..tht and the fact tht most of my friends love it nd i have reached my resistance thresh-hold.

While im still inspired..let me download those SAIMM forms…Motsepe im comin to keep u company up there..

GA on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 7:25 am

How cn i forget another interview request…Redi Direko…pretty plz plz plz BS..i’ll do a cyber monkey dance for u..;-)

AAAnnnd im so mad at u for mentioning District 9 in one line..coz i desired a debate about it when it was still hot…not the heavy thoughtleader kind…the “bloggaz” kind.

Le Enigma on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 8:06 am

I’m really glad that this interview took place, as it brought light on Ms Maboi. I’m an avid listener of The Menage, and got more insight on who she is. She usually interviews people and we never got to hear what shes about. She has the most amazing voice in radio and she is very intelligent (unlike others we hear) and her show is very strong. I hope they give her a three hour slot, because two hours is too minimal for the content they have. One thing i know, is that Brown Suga and Mpho love football alot and have a passion for it.
And I’d also love to se another black person on Top Billing besides Salamina (who we don’t see alot), who we can relate to.
I enjoyed the interview with Thato Moeng last Friday… Hmmm bliss!
I love it when she say ” dont do anything I wouldn’t do… Although that still don’t leave you with much”. Arrggg! I love Mpho alot, and so we Menage!

Abbz on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 9:11 am

thanks for the great interview. I remember when Mpho took over from Anisa, me and my friend used to send hate emails to her and Fresh everyday jst bcoz we were jealous and thought we could do a better job than her. anyways I like her show now, and i listen to it every time i get a chance.thanxx Mabooooooi!!!!!

Lahvee on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 9:11 am

Phew, ngathi ubone the way I scanned quickly through that part of the interview… You are such a mind reader Shuga Ok let me carry on reading.

Lahvee on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 9:12 am

…I’d love to ask you more football questions so before sikhinya abantu, let’s talk about music…

that got deleted in the post above..

Toni on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 9:13 am

Nice interview..Maboi as i call her is da best and intelligent female dj i knw..

Bruised Ego on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 10:51 am

I thought i was going to browse through the interview, but i actually read the whole thing…..I like the way Mpho answers the Qs she leaves you hungry for more….

Mbongeni on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 11:10 am

I love Mpho’s show 2 bits.Her voice rocks

tameka on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 11:12 am

mhhh something was a bit off abt this interview..

Philzah on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 11:13 am

I like Mpho’s pic- the one on the sliding page *nka modira* ! lol

Philzah on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 11:14 am

tameka: You are living up to yo idol’s name I see.. *seeing things*

Rego on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 11:53 am

my 2 favourite twitter ladies! I loved the innerview.!!!

Pjay on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 12:06 pm

RESPECT!!!

J.A.Y. on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 12:16 pm

Great interview! Good job with the NFD updates to you, Bra Kool Kat and Supersport. It deserves even more attention. We can’t have a strong PSL if the feeder league is not up to standard. All the best in your career.

Back to the unimportant stuff- if people spent LESS time speculating about other people’s sexuality and MORE time exploring their own- the world would have more happy faces.

Malibongwe on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 1:50 pm

I actually didn’t know who Mpho was before Twitter, then after that I would occasionally listen to her show. I so love her voice and her show is interesting. She also is an interesting person in the regard that she never lets out too much – only what she wants to let out.

Hope to read more fabulous interviews…

segs on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 1:56 pm

nyc!

Lady D on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 7:56 pm

i looveooooooooo her bisexual self,shim is hoooott and brilliant!!

Lady D on Tue, 1st Dec 2009 8:09 pm

LOL@ Philzah and nka mo dira comment….no comment!

khafo on Wed, 2nd Dec 2009 1:48 pm

Nice one BS. Nice one. I for one didn’t know her, thanks to you

Tik-line on Fri, 4th Dec 2009 12:41 pm

well so i guess she has a tiny dick hidden somewhere…and she aint gonna answer questions about it..hi hi hi…and wena BS why did you keep pushing the issue are you one of those people who obsess about who’s screwin who LOL..a screw i screw..and if she ’s having threesomes with the boyfriend and Dj Zihle thatsounds HOT to me so what…DO YOu gIRL!!!!!!!!

keitumetse on Thu, 4th Feb 2010 12:10 pm