Making a name for herself in sports broadcasting, Motshidisi Mohono is a woman of many talents, strong values and fierce competition.
In recent years we have seen a host of South African women continue to break glass ceilings and defy stereotypes. One such woman is 34-year-old SuperSport news anchor Motshidisi Mohono. An award-winning sports broadcaster and media personality, she has not only made strides as a woman working in the male-dominated South African broadcasting industry but carries numerous accolades under her belt for her work. Here are five things we love about this phenomenal woman.
She’s doing the most to represent black women in sport
At the predominantly Afrikaans high school Motshidisi attended in Alberton, Gauteng, rugby games were par for the course, but she wasn’t initially a fan. She gradually warmed up to the sport and was the first choice to take over the sports desk while working at youth-focused radio station YFM. Fast-forward to 2019 and Motshidisi made history as the first woman to anchor a Rugby World Cup final on a local channel. This dubbed her rugby’s First Lady.
She bit the bullet and made a successful career pivot
At school, Motshidisi had dreams of becoming a doctor or accountant and after matriculating, she enrolled at the University of Johannesburg to pursue an accounting degree. But she couldn’t leave her passion behind and worked weekends at her university’s radio station, UJFM. Due to her heavy workload, she unfortunately forfeited her university bursary but her big break in arrived when SuperSport rolled out the Lady Rugga presenter search in 2011. She placed third and caught the eye of a producer at SuperSport, who asked her to co-present the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
She uses her platform to speak out about prominent issues
Motshidisi is aware of her influence as a media personality and has used her social platforms to speak out about other topics. During the pandemic she hosted a weekly Instagram Live show, Mindful Moments, discussing lifestyle topics including mental health, drug addiction and personal finance.
She knows how to rock a power suit
Motshidisi is known for being a style icon both on and off screen. She has a penchant for perfectly tailored trouser suits and proves to her 48.4k followers that if you have the confidence, you can look good no matter your size.
She’s a passionate foodie
Motshidisi isn’t shy about her love of food – and that’s something we can get on board with! One of her recent brand collaborations was with Robertson’s and Megamaster, where she quickly proved to her followers that she’s a dab hand behind the grill.
She prioritises her family
In a conversation with acclaimed journalist Ruda Landman, Motshidisi spoke about how much she values the warm welcome she receives when she goes back home. “I go home to my niece’s hugs. I go home to ‘Oh my gosh, tell me about your day.’ And to laughter and to love. Both of those for me are perfect. They represent home; where it’s warm, where you feel wanted, where you feel welcomed.”
