My Journey To Success With Mo Flava

Media personality Mo Flava shares what sparked his love for entertainment, how you can apply for the Mo Flava Bursary with Boston and his success tips

Why did you choose a career in entertainment?

I always used to listen to radio growing up and I developed a lot of interest in it. I loved listening to the likes of Phat Joe, DJ Fresh, and Bob Mabena, who influenced my love for radio. I also developed a love for club DJing when I was exposed to it as well. So choosing a career in this field was natural for me.

You’ve been in major radio stations like YFM and now Metro FM, what is it about radio that you enjoy?

I love the ability to connect with people and learn new things every day. Being part of people’s lives is a humbling experience, which I don’t take for granted.

Share some of the challenges and highlights you’ve experienced over the years?

The biggest highlight for me is the pace at which I grew in my career. I started at YFM just after finishing my final exams at Boston and presented the breakfast show at just 25. I am now on the drive time show at Metro FM, which is another highlight of my career. Radio also opened other opportunities, such as presenting shows like Club 808. I don’t take this for granted because I know many people wait a long time to have their breakthrough in their careers. I’d say the challenges are remaining relevant to your audience. You have to keep yourself interesting and no matter what you go through personally you have to present your best self on radio.

How would you define success and have you reached it?

Success is an ongoing journey more than a destination. It’s being able to achieve a list of your goals one by one, so it’s never-ending. I have achieved a level of success because I was able to tick off a list of some of my goals. There’s still a lot I would like to achieve, such as owning something in media. I am also developing concepts for television shows that I would like to see aired soon.

If there’s anything you could change about your industry what would it be?

It would definitely be to create a lot of opportunities for young people to be able to breakthrough their careers, especially in this industry. I believe young people are the future of this country and we have to invest more in ensuring career opportunities for them.

What inspired you to start the Mo Flava Bursary initiative and how did the partnership from Boston come about?

Many young people always asked me how they could break in the industry and my advice has always been to study. But I wanted to do more than give them that advice, so I partnered up with Boston Media House, where I studied and this initiative has been going for eight years.

How many students were you able to empower with this bursary over the years?

We would have an intake of 25 students a year. Other years we’d have 20 or even seventeen students studying through this bursary. So it depends. There are many students who have benefited from this initiative, some work for big production companies, others at radio stations and I have also employed some of them.

How can people apply for the bursary? 

We are doing interviews at the Boston Media House in Sandton tomorrow, so 2016 and 2017 matriculants interested in media studies can come with their matric results and a copy of their IDs to apply. Those who are not in Johannesburg can send us their matric results on our WhatsApp number: 061 467 5097. We are also doing interviews in Durban on 3 February 2018

How do you unwind?

I enjoy the wildlife and hiking.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

I am driven, honest and motivated

What are your success tips to young people, especially those who have experienced failure and many challenges in their quest to reach success?

You have to be honest with yourself in terms of what you are really good at, find ways to develop your skills and turn them into a career or business. Don’t conform to the norm but strive to do what you feel you were born to do. Also, remind yourself of your objectives because sometimes things don’t come easy. Don’t invest in your talent only because that is not enough, but improve your social and networking skills because those can influence the kind of opportunities you can get.

For more information, connect with Mo Flava on:

https://web.facebook.com/MoFlavaDJ/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Instagram: @moflava

Twitter: @moflavadj

Image source: supplied