SEDIBENG.- No better words can describe talented 103 Hope FM’s breakfast show anchor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Motseki Mabuya, than to give him a microphone and a studio so that he can talk to people.

Since his early days of radio at local stations such as Vaal Community Radio (VCR) Station and Vaal University of Technology (VUT) FM, Mabuya has mellowed like fine wine. Born and bred in Qwaqwa, Free State, Mabuya, a second born in the family of four children who was raised by his grandmother, has come to be synonymous with local radio in Sedibeng. Having been motivated since his childhood by the radio Sesotho presenters such as Thabang Rampoane, Mabuya, a married father of three boys told Sedibeng Ster that like many in his field he used to tape record himself so that he could listen to himself and perfect his craft.

“While growing up at home I used to tape record myself either presenting or commentating in soccer matches and I was greatly inspired by the then radio Sesotho presenters. Radio was the only thing we had at home as a luxury while growing up,” he told Sedibeng Ster.

His official and real journey in radio started in 2007 at Vaal Community Radio (VCR) Station where he was doing voice overs. In 2008 he then moved to voice of Tembisa. Mabuya’s rise in local radio saw him moving in 2009 to VUT FM, where he says he will forever be grateful to then VUT FM Station Manager, Quincy Kekana for giving him “a much-needed break”. From then on Mabuya was poached by another local radio station, Thetha FM where he won the MTN Radio award in 2012. In 2016 Mabuya joined Hope FM hosting the breakfast show and as a content partner for the station for a year.

“My (full time) return to radio was in 2019 when I was appointed to be Station Manager for Hope FM (a Christian community radio station) to date, and I have never looked back. I also anchor the morning breakfast show,” he told Sedibeng Ster, adding that the station has grown to be the alternative in as far as content and developmental conversations are concerned. We have literary became a conveyer of communication between communities and its local authorities. We have won numerous awards in the past three years, amongst them the prestigious PMR Africa.”

The station recently celebrated three years since its relaunch. Mabuya is also the Managing Director (MD) of Boitumelo Media which deals with content development for both TV and radio. Through Boitumelo Media, Bokamoso FM, a commercial radio station in Maseru, Lesotho was born.

He has since sold his shares in it.

Mabuya is a committed family man who is the Chairperson of the Motseki Mabuya Foundation that focuses on mentoring boys, in particular those without fathers, or those that do not have the presence of father figures in their lives. Mabuya is also an activist who is largely involved in youth and community programs through the YB20, a youth communication Movement founded in 2015 and known for annually hosting the YB20 Honorary Awards amongst other projects.  When he is not busy in the office Mabuya is a farmer who breeds pigs for a living at his farm in the area.

“I’m now also a full-time Facilitator focusing on training and capacity building of those in community radio sector. I am excited that this year will see the return of the YB20 Awards since the emergence of Covid-19.”

The YB20 Honorary Awards were created with the purpose of celebrating people while they are still alive. The awards are dedicated to individuals, businesses and communities who are performing remarkably well and give them a platform to be recognized for their achievements. Mabuya has received numerous awards that include the National Bright Star MTN Radio Award in 2012, a special award by the Gauteng Department of Education in 2014 and 2015 for his role in helping the region obtain position 1 on the national Matric results. In 2016 he received a Lifetime achievement Award from Free State Youth Chamber of Commerce.

“In 2017 & 2018 I was appointed an adjudicator for the National Community Radio Awards, in 2018 I was awarded the Influential Community Leader by Rivers of Living Waters Ministries, and in 2021 I was one of the 100 Most Influential Young Free Stators.”

Mabuya is a qualified Journalist who perfected his skills for Radio at Wits University Radio Academy and Elements of Broadcasting Management at Rhodes University. This year, 2022, he will be launching Ultimate Radio in Qwaqwa. Mabuya is surely a beacon of hope for young people, particularly those coming from a disadvantaged background like him.

As a parting short in his own words, the young at heart, Mabuya said: “I want people to remember me for my different pedigree”.