A familiar voice on SA morning radio, Soweto-born Moeti Tsiki, popularly known as DJ Mo Flava, makes the morning commute entertaining for Metro FM listeners. We chat to the 36-year-old who’s also a husband, father and TV host to find out a bit more about him.
WHO IS MO FLAVA?
I am very talkative and open-minded. I’m very curious about things that I am not an expert in. I like asking questions and cracking a joke here and there, but sometimes my timing is awful.
WHAT WAS YOUR UPBRINGING LIKE?
I grew up in the township and went to school in the former ‘Model-C’ schools. So that journey between township and suburbs gave me a balanced view of society and social integration. I’m the first born, with three sisters. Like any other first born, I feel the pressure to get my life in order.
HOW DID YOU END UP IN MEDIA?
I developed an interest when I was a teen. I started DJing in high school when a good friend taught me how to mix. Later we started DJing at weddings and parties, and that’s how I got exposed to playing for people and collecting vinyls. Straight after my studies, I joined YFM, which helped to elevate my DJing career and popularity and helped me build my brand.
DO YOU PREFER CLUB OR RADIO DJING?
It’s like asking me to pick between my two kids! They both give me something unique. Club DJing is great escapism. You get to see people happy. Radio gives you access to people and exposure to the world. It’s an opportunity to learn about human behaviour.
Related article: Turn up the volume with Miss Cosmo
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Locally, it’s people like the late Bob Mabena, Phat Joe and Robert Marawa. They are radio legends who motivate me to be better. People I admire outside of SA are Jeremy Clarkson and Ryan Seacrest.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE THE DJ AND FAMILY MAN?
Even though my roles differ, in each role, I am kind of the same person. I try not to let my work creep into my family life. They know me as a husband or dad. There is no Mo Flava in the household. I rarely speak with my kids about work. I want them to develop their own interests. They know what I do and where I work, but in the household, it’s a part of who I am, but not everything.
“It is a process you learn as you go – nobody has a bible on fatherhood”
Related article: Celeb dads who make parenting look easy
YOUR BIGGEST LESSONS LEARNT AS A DAD?
At some point you have to let go, guide your child and expose them to as much information as possible. Let them travel and show them the world. In the end, they can only be who they want to be. Just always be there to advise if they need you to. It is a process you learn as you go – nobody has a bible on fatherhood.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH THE YOUTH?
I have been giving away bursaries to students who want to study media for 10 years now, and also partner with Converse to pay off student debt. I decided to use my platform to get as many people as possible through school. It’s been fulfilling and rewarding.
Q&A WITH MO FLAVA
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
June 28, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
June 28, 2021
Rating:
