Mohalenyane Phakela
EMCEEING at an event is generally regarded as a simple task by many but to Ms Kiva, it is a job that has to be taken seriously.
It is in that same spirit that Ms Kiva has already started preparing for the Lesotho Times FanFest at Setsoto Stadium on 3 November, an event which she will be hosting.
The master of ceremonies (MC) did not mince her words as to how excited she was to be part of the festival when she spoke to the Xpress People in a recent interview.
“I treat every booking like an audition therefore it is a must for me to look and sound good as per the patrons’ expectations at the show,” Ms Kiva said.
“I am preparing quite a number of outfits for the Lesotho Times Fanfest and I also have my make-up artiste in place. I am really looking forward to giving the best show and I love the fact that I will be co-hosting with people with different styles from mine thus giving the show exciting dynamics.
“The stadium is one of my favourite venues so when I learnt of the Fanfest I could not hold back my excitement. I was even ready to go and negotiate a slot had I not been booked. My greatest anticipation is having to call on AKA, Nasty C and Sho Madjozi onto the stage.”
Ms Kiva will be co-hosting the event which is meant to celebrate the Lesotho Times’ over 10 years of service along with comedian Lilaphalapha as well as radio personalities, Themba Nyathi and Lady Terror.
The event will further see performances from a star-studded line-up featuring legends such as Oliver Mtukuzi (Zimbabwe) and Lesotho’s very own T?epo T?ola and Fatere.
South African acts such as AKA, Kwesta, Nasty C, Trompies, Thebe, Prince Kaybee, Sho Madjozi, Lerato Kganyago, Amanda Black, Thami, Lady Zamar and several others will also grace the stage.
The local contingent will also consist of the likes of Together, Smooth, Katz, Mtsuzi, Counter Force, Charma Exzit, Kopper, Bootz, DJ Dimo and Sway among others.
Organised by Plan A events management, the Lesotho Times FanFest, is sponsored by Maluti Mountain Brewery, Sefalana Liquor Lesotho, AVANI Hotels, Afro Media and PC FM.
Born and bred Kananelo Phakisi in the Stadium Area, Maseru, Ms Kiva became an MC in 2014 but got a career breakthrough in 2015 when she was booked to host the Vodacom Summer Feva After Movie. In 2016 she further became the national pride when she became one of the 13 finalists in the TLC Africa Presenter Search.
From there her emceeing career became a roller coaster ride, gracing almost every huge gig in the country which included the Maseru Summer Fest and Castle Lite Unlocks Lesotho.
The 25-year-old said that she never had it easy when she started but through hard work and determination she has made a name for herself. She however, said her ultimate goal was to become a radio personality.
“I first tried my luck in 2014 as member of the rap group, MIP but I soon discovered that it was not my calling and then I started emceeing, greatly motivated and inspired by my late uncle (DJ Thabbie) who was a radio personality and a DJ.
“At the time, comedians had taken over the events and besides, the entertainment industry is male dominated regardless which sector one taps into. But I told myself I was going to make a name for myself in the same industry. I grew up watching SABC 1’s Jam Alley and always wanted to be like presenter Vinolia Mashego.
“I would nag people like DJ Kopper to give me a slot at their shows. In 2015 I finally made it to the well-attended DJ Mekonko birthday bash. From there I competed in the TLC Africa Presenter Search in 2016 where I did not only make it to top 13 but also learnt how to become a brand, learning form South Africa’s Thando Thabethe and Bonang Matheba at the TLC bootcamp in Cape Town,” Ms Kiva said.
Ms Kiva said that being authentic has earned her popularity in the entertainment industry and she has managed to raise enough funds to pay for her school fees.
“At every event I go to always arrive early and mingle with the crowd to read the mood as it makes it easier to stand before a crowd you can relate with. I also pray before I get onto the stage.
“I remember hosting a fresher’s ball event last year where the sound failed during one DJs’ set. The crowd turned rowdy and started throwing bottles onto the stage but immediately I took the microphone and eventually got them in control. Soon afterwards, everybody was singing along to Wiz Khilifa’s Young, Wild and Free which the DJ was also forced to play when power was restored.
“Last year was a peak year for me as I saved enough money to go back to school. Every talent has to be complimented by education so I am currently pursuing an Honours Degree in Professional Communication at Linkokwing University,” Ms Kiva said.
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