Thabo Mhapha is the definition of multifaceted! He is a radio presenter, Attorney and Mandela Rhodes Scholar-Elect.
He is most famous for being the presenter of Re Daa, and up until recently , Breakfast on Yarona FM.
The Voice had a fun chat with the vibrant 23- year-old from Maun to find out just how he does it all!
You’re a man of a thousand talents, but today let’s focus on Thabo the broadcaster. At what point in your life did you realise that you love broadcasting?
I have always been very vocal, and even flamboyant as a kid. This probably stemmed from coming from a very loud family, so I always enjoyed speaking and making presentations even at Primary school.
However, it was only after being on Mantlwaneng that I appreciated the industry and welcomed the possibility of becoming a part of it.
Let’s go back to your Mantlwaneng days. You were a presenter on the famous kids TV show. What was the experience like?
I am glad you asked me about this because I hold the memories of my Mantlwaneng days so dear to me because looking back I have realised that I really didn’t appreciate them for what they were.
The Mantlwaneng experience was phenomenal and reaffirming to me in many ways. My experience there was instrumental in making me who I am today as a broadcaster.
You ended up studying law instead of Media Studies, how come?
I have wanted to study law since I was in standard 2, so going that route was sort of a natural thing.
For a while I didn’t know why, but now that I am a part of the noble profession I understand the critical role that law plays in our society.
Whilst Media Practice is challenging and complex in its own right, it is fortunately one of those career paths that I think you don’t need a qualification from a University for. A little bit of talent and tons of hard work can go a long way.
How was the experience and will you be returning to radio ever?
Being on Breakfast on Yarona Fm has been amazing!
A real dream come true.
I remember our very first show, for Monster Hit we played Sister Bethina and the listeners went wild! Batswana have been so welcoming and supportive and I am very thankful to them for opening their hearts to us in the way that they did.
It was scary to follow up the legendary Brando, but I think we held our own and brought life, and young people back to that morning slot. As for radio, one never truly leaves.
I am hoping to find another radio home whilst I pursue my studies in Cape Town.
How were you able to balance law school and being on radio?
How I was able to balance law school and radio is a question I ask myself even to this day!
It’s something that required me to really dig deep, and for a while I was operating like a machine, always on a schedule.
I would do school the whole day, then prep for my evening show, then do the show and then go to sleep and repeat.
There were moments where it was really difficult, one area would take a back seat to the other, but eventually God’s grace sustained me through.
Where and with whom will you be spending Christmas this year?
I am from the North, so A1 is where we are headed!
I will be spending Christmas with mostly friends and family.
I think this will be our first Christmas free from a lot of the Covid-19 troubles, so it will be special.
Would you rather have another 10 years with your partner or a one-night stand with your celebrity crush?
Definitely 10 years with my partner.
Crushes are overrated.
Care to share with us who the lucky partner is?
There’s no partner, relationships have been closed for December.
Would you rather give up air conditioning and heating for the rest of your life or give up the Internet for the rest of your life?
This is a tough one, because I am very big on having air conditioning, but imagine going all my life without ever watching a Tik Tok again?
So air conditioning will have to go!
Five things people don’t know about you?
– I am painfully shy.
– I am trained in Karate, quit when I was a Brown belt.
– I don’t know how to swim.
– I hate mogodu.
– I can’t shower without music.