Mpho Maboi, a television and radio host, has anchored and attended some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.
WHERE DID YOUR LOVE FOR RADIO COME FROM?
I’ve loved radio since I was a little girl listening to late-night dramas. The theatre of the mind has always fascinated me. You’re forced to be creative in your delivery, and I find that exciting.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A SPORTS BROADCASTER?
When I was at YFM, I loved to talk about football. One day, presenter Bridget Masinga told me that SuperSport was looking for new presenters. I went in for a screen test and was hired on the spot. I was a sports broadcaster purely based on my passion before it was professionalised in 2009.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COMBINE YOUR LOVE FOR RADIO WITH SPORT?
I’d always done “entertainment radio”, but after I left YFM in 2010, I was a sports broadcaster for three years. Then in 2013, MetroFM asked me to be a sports anchor on Fresh Breakfast for DJ Fresh. Since then, the two have been intertwined.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COVERING SPORTS ON RADIO AND TV?
TV is visual, so one is not as descriptive but rather sticks to the facts and emotions. While on radio you must be factual and paint a picture. Although I’ve found that our magazine show, the Betway Premiership Preview Show on SuperSport, has given me the opportunity to be more animated and bring my playful radio side to television, which I love.
WHAT SIGNIFICANT SPORTING EVENTS HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF?
I was a roving reporter for SuperSport during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and I was stationed in Brazil for the month of the 2016 Olympic Games. In 2018, I anchored the FIFA World Cup final and was the first woman in South Africa to anchor the final on television in SA; that same year I attended the Laureus Sports Awards in Monaco. I’ve hosted the Gauteng Sport Awards twice and anchored the Ultimate Sport Show on MetroFM for which I won a Liberty Radio Award. I was recently at the Hong Kong 7s because one must experience this rugby party at least once in life.
FAVOURITE SOCCER TEAM AND WHY?
I’m a currently suffering Manchester United supporter. I fell in love with the team when I was around 12 years old and I’ve stuck with them since. I know people will want to know if I support any team locally and the simple answer is no. I fall in love with different team’s styles of play, so my affection for local teams is constantly rotating, season after season.
WHAT IS LUXURY TO YOU?
The ability to do what you love and get paid for it. The ability to buy yourself time to enjoy life’s beautiful moments has to be the epitome of luxury. I love moments with my son. Those are priceless moments that feel luxurious to me.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CITIES YOU’VE VISITED RECENTLY AND WHY?
- I’ve just returned from Hong Kong. I thought it was beautiful – especially the skyscrapers – and the people are friendly.
- Slovenia has beautiful landscapes. Peaceful, serene, picturesque – it reminded me of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
- I was in Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was obsessed with the food and the ability to play on the sand dunes in the middle of the desert.
- Monaco made me feel like I need to work hard! I’ve never been so inspired in my entire life.
IF YOU COULD PLAY SPORT PROFESSIONALLY, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?
Golf. I wish I had started playing sooner because I’m obsessed with it.
WHEN YOU HAVE WEEKENDS OFF, WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY DO?
I try to spend time with my son, and make sure to take plenty of sho’t lefts with him. I indulge in my passion for cars, and also try to catch up with friends, drinking champagne and having great conversations.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I’m very shy and reserved. I have to know you very well to be comfortable around you. Otherwise the Mpho you hear on radio and see on TV will be nowhere to be found.
